Holly Cook
I’m Holly Cook, running for Ada County Commissioner because our county deserves serious leadership focused on fiscal restraint, keeping property taxes low, and making government work efficiently and transparently for families. I hold a degree in political economy from The College of Idaho and am deeply passionate about public policy and its real impact on people’s lives. I oppose regulations that slow housing development, drive up costs, and hinder business growth. With deep Ada County roots, I’ve watched our community expand and know growth requires intentional, disciplined planning. I will make budget decisions clearer and easier for residents to understand. I have the knowledge, experience, and skills to serve effectively.
Idaho GOP Platform Responses
✓+ Strongly Agree ✓ Somewhat Agree O Somewhat Disagree X Strongly Disagree
| Topic | Candidate’s Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| ✓ | Responsibility in Government | I support Idaho sovereignty and oppose federal overreach, but I reject nullification of federal law as unworkable and risky. I share concerns about the 16th and 17th Amendments but do not support repeal or abolition of the amendments as it would require consensus that doesn’t exist. An abrupt return to the gold standard or abolition of the Federal Reseve would distract from realistic reforms and risk economic disruption for Idaho families. |
| ✓+ | Citizen Involvement | N/A |
| ✓ | Education | I believe parental rights are paramount in decisions about children’s upbringing, health, and education—including gender issues. Parents, not government or schools, should lead. I support strong opt-out rights, transparency, and parental notification for ideological curriculum What I won’t support is a government-imposed ban on specific ideologies, as it is contrary to the free-marketplace of ideas. Learning that different ideologies exist in the world is not the same as being indoctrinated in them. In my view, the answer is transparency, parental notification, and robust opt-out rights, not prohibition. |
| ✓+ | Agriculture | N/A |
| ✓+ | Water | N/A |
| ✓ | Natural Resources / Environment | With respect to Section 7, see my answer on Article X regarding state control over federal lands. |
| ✓+ | Energy | N/A |
| ✓+ | Idaho National Lab | N/A |
| ✓+ | Private Property Rights | N/A |
| ✓ | State / Federal Lands | I support giving Idaho a stronger voice in managing federal lands within our borders and pushing back against federal overreach. However, full state takeover would impose massive costs—like hundreds of millions in fire suppression—on Idaho taxpayers. I favor a partnership model that delivers real control without breaking our budget. |
| ✓+ | Wildlife | N/A |
| ✓+ | Economy | N/A |
| ✓+ | Health and Welfare | N/A |
| O | American Family | I believe same-sex marriage is settled federal law. With my libertarian leanings, I see no need for government intervention and prefer focusing on kitchen-table issues like taxes, housing, and public safety rather than campaigning to reverse it. I support Idaho’s strong protections for the unborn, but with clear exceptions for rape, incest, and the life/health of the mother. I’m concerned that the current criminalization framework has led to unintended consequences, including reduced access to obstetric and gynecological care due to doctor retention issues. The criminal aspects should be re-evaluated with the medical community to balance life protections with patient safety. |
| ✓+ | Older Americans | N/A |
| ✓+ | Law & Order w/ Justice | N/A |
| ✓ | Securing the Border | As a fervent believer in law and order, in my view, enforcement of our laws is non-negotiable. In that same vein, I will not support unconstitutional tactics in any area of law enforcement. Every law enforcement officer, including ICE agents, must operate within the law and meet rigorous training and conduct standards. Officers who cut corners damage trust in all law enforcement, including our own sheriff’s department. I also support a legal pathway for high-skill immigrants who strengthen our economy and national competitiveness, a position consistent with the George W. Bush-era approach that paired serious enforcement with earned legal status. |
| ✓+ | Election of Idaho Judges | N/A |
| ✓+ | Religious Liberty | N/A |
Survey and Interview Responses
“How long have you lived in Ada County?
I was born and raised in Idaho. I’m a 4th-generation Idahoan. I’ve lived in Idaho nearly all my life. I’ve lived in the Treasure Valley for over 20 years, and I’ve spent about 10 of those years in Ada County.
How long have you been a Republican? Any prior party affiliation?
I’ve been a member of the Republican Party ever since I graduated from college. (About 12 years.) As the old Winston Churchill adage goes, If you are not a liberal/Democrat when you are young, you have no heart; if you are not a conservative/Republican when old, you have no brain.
Have you been involved with any political organizations? (IACI, Idaho Majority Club, IFF, etc.)
No.
Have you supported candidates from another party?
No.
Why are you running for this office?
I’m running because Ada County deserves a more prepared, more engaged, and more accountable commissioner. Housing is too expensive to build. Permitting takes too long. And county budget decisions are made in ways that are too difficult for the average resident to understand or evaluate. With over a decade of experience translating complex policy into plain language, I will streamline development, require public impact reporting on budgets, prioritize infrastructure and public safety over amenities, and publish an Annual Taxpayer Impact Report to clearly show how decisions affect property taxes.
Have you held elected office before?
The only elected office I have held is precinct committeeman. I was elected in 2022 and I am on the ballot again for 2026, running unopposed. I have also been appointed as a Deputy City Clerk (City of Caldwell) and as a Library Board Trustee (Caldwell Public Library).
What makes you qualified for this role?
I have worked for three Idaho cities and served as a Deputy Clerk, giving me deep familiarity with government operations, planning and zoning, economic development, budgeting, and legislation. For over a decade, I’ve run a communications and public relations consulting business in the Treasure Valley, helping businesses, nonprofits, political candidates, and associations. With a degree in political economy from The College of Idaho, I excel at translating complex policy and budgets into clear, accessible language—exactly what Ada County residents deserve from their commissioner.
If elected, what 2-3 actions do you intend to pursue in your first year?
I will keep property taxes low by introducing the Taxpayer-First Budget Resolution on Day One, targeting budget growth below statutory caps, matching new spending to sustainable revenue, and ensuring new development pays for its own infrastructure.
I’ll require public fiscal impact statements and publish an Annual Ada County Taxpayer Impact Report so residents clearly see how board decisions affect their property tax bill.
To increase housing affordability, I’ll cut red tape in permitting, reduce unnecessary regulations, streamline approvals, and make sure new development pays its fair share through impact fees instead of burdening existing homeowners.
How have you served your community (boards, nonprofits, etc.)?
As previously mentioned, I have served as an appointed Library Board Trustee. I currently serve on the board for Girls on the Run Treasure Valley, and I previously served on the Advisory Board for CATCH of Canyon County.
Do you consider yourself fiscally conservative?
Yes. Extremely. I am likely more fiscally conservative than all three current Ada County Commissioners. I think we need to implement much more strict budget controls. I have a proposed ordinance and a resolution ready to go Day One to tighten our belt and get our county’s budget in better shape. I plan to work collaboratively with County Clerk Trent Tripple to come up with the best possible outcome.
Do you consider yourself socially conservative?
I’m not as socially conservative as many newer populist Republicans in Idaho. I hold more libertarian-leaning beliefs. I believe government should not intrude on matters of personal conscience, relationships, or private decisions. It should not legislate morality.”
Interview note:
To ensure a fair process, no candidate has been allowed to rewrite or materially change their interview responses after the fact. Unfortunately, we were unable to come to an agreement with the candidate based on this consistent standard. Therefore, no interview responses are included.
Give us your one-minute elevator speech for the campaign.
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What are your top three priorities, and what would you act on first?
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How will you balance protecting open space and agricultural/rural lands against growth pressures in the county
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Do you believe growth is paying for growth in Ada County today?
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How will you ensure development aligns with infrastructure capacity, especially water, sewer, and new roads?
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With county budget pressure rising, where would you cut, where would you invest, and what is your threshold for raising taxes or fees?
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What is your position on jail expansion, public-safety infrastructure, and the county’s responsibility for mental-health and addiction-related pressures on those systems?
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What should Ada County’s role be in homelessness, behavioral health, and treatment services, especially where county and city priorities diffe
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Where does the county most need better coordination with ACHD, cities, emergency services, and the sheriff, and how would you improve i
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What is your plan to control Norwegian and roof rats?
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What would you change so rural and unincorporated residents are heard earlier and more meaningfully in county decisions?
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What is your standard for transparency and constituent service, and how will you keep voters informed when they disagree with your decisions?
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