Brett Harding
I am a lifelong medicolegal professional with more than three decades of experience investigating deaths and serving communities with integrity. As Chief Deputy Coroner for Ada County, I have brought nationally recognized expertise and steady leadership. I have a deep commitment to providing families and our citizens with accurate, compassionate, and professional forensic services. I am dedicated to ensuring the Coroner’s Office continues to operate with excellence, transparency, and respect for those it serves. Ada County is a wonderful community, and it is an honor to serve here. In my off time, I enjoy basketball, fishing, traveling with my wife, and spending time with our children and our five grandchildren.
Idaho GOP Platform Responses
✓+ Strongly Agree ✓ Somewhat Agree O Somewhat Disagree X Strongly Disagree
| Topic | Candidate’s Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| ✓+ | Responsibility in Government | The government should answer to the people. It needs to protect its citizens, protect their rights, see to general welfare and enforce the law. Essential services should be provided; however, the government needs limitations and must maintain the public trust. |
| ✓+ | Citizen Involvement | All citizens should educate themselves and be involved in the political process. Our government is “of the people”, “by the people” and “for the people”. No one should abdicate their responsibility or dismiss the gift they have been given. |
| ✓+ | Education | Education is our future. The responsibility for education should be that of not only the student but the family and the community. Education and ingenuity built this nation and it is through responsible education that we will continue to succeed. |
| ✓+ | Agriculture | Growing up on a farm I know what it does for the family, community and our nation. Successful farming is what has allowed our growth as a nation. Maintaining this vital industry will ensure our continued success. |
| ✓+ | Water | Water is critical. Everything is achievable with an ample, stable water supply. Ensuring that supply with allow industry, agriculture and families to thrive. Idaho needs to maintain Idaho’s water for its citizens. |
| ✓+ | Natural Resources / Environment | The natural resources of Idaho must be preserved for all the citizens of Idaho to enjoy. That being said, the needs of the citizens will dictate the utilization of Idaho’s resources. Environmental protection is the duty of every citizen. |
| ✓+ | Energy | The goal of energy independence is ideal. The development of our energy resources and new technology will secure Idaho’s future energy needs. This will have a positive effect for all our citizens. |
| ✓+ | Idaho National Lab | The Idaho National Laboratories leads the way in energy, research and development of new technology as well as national security. Additionally, the Laboratory is a major employer for Idaho. |
| ✓+ | Private Property Rights | I strongly believe in private property rights. As a boy the State took over our farm by imposing eminent domain for a state park. This firmly impressed upon me that no person should be deprived of without true due process. |
| ✓+ | State / Federal Lands | The land of Idaho should be managed and administered by the people of Idaho. This will assure the lands are utilized in a manner that best serves the people of Idaho. |
| ✓+ | Wildlife | Once again, the land of Idaho should be managed and administered by the people of Idaho. Wildlife should be managed by the people that know Idaho wildlife best. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is more than up to that task. |
| ✓+ | Economy | We must do everything to support not only economic stability but economic growth. Recognizing the importance of industry, small business, labor and transportation will aid in that goal. A growing economy supports a high standard of living for our citizens. |
| ✓+ | Health and Welfare | Access to affordable health care is important as is access to affordable health insurance. Arbitrary regulations prohibiting the purchasing of such insurance should be eliminated. |
| ✓+ | American Family | The American family is the most important institution for nurturing our children. This role must not be abdicated to any government or other institution. Our continuation in world leadership depends on our commitment to the American family. |
| ✓+ | Older Americans | It is our duty to support our elderly citizens. Our seniors paved the way for our future. They must be supported, physically and emotionally. The measure of a society is gauged by how they care for their elderly. In this matter Idaho can be a leader. |
| ✓+ | Law & Order w/ Justice | I am a strong advocate of law and order. A large part of my job is assisting law enforcement in their jobs. Idaho supports the death penalty and the Ada County Coroner’s Office supports the process. |
| ✓+ | Securing the Border | I believe in peace through strength and supporting Idaho’s national guard. Our Veterans sacrificed to protect this country and we owe them a debt. Possessing strong borders and national missile defense systems will keep our country safe. |
| ✓+ | Election of Idaho Judges | We should strongly support the election of qualified judges to serve our citizens. Any opposition to this process will undermine the fabric of our judicial system.hou |
| ✓+ | Religious Liberty | Religious freedom shall not be infringed upon. This is a founding principle upon which this country was founded. The ability to worship freely is a positive aspect of American life. |
Survey and Interview Responses
How long have you lived in Ada County?
Five years
How long have you been a Republican? Any prior party affiliation?
I am a lifelong member of the Republican Party.
Have you been involved with any political organizations? (IACI, Idaho Majority Club, IFF, etc.)
None
Have you supported candidates from another party?
I have supported other candidates, mostly libertarian, when I felt the Republican candidate did not adhere to Republican ideals.
Why are you running for this office?
The role of Coroner is extremely important to the community. Not only is it responsible for determining cause and manner of death, but it also protects the families and citizens it serves. After working in this field for over thirty years, I have a vision of how an office can satisfy the needs of the community, meet the highest forensic standards and still adhere to fiscal conservative values.
Have you held elected office before?
I have not but I have been the Chief of the Office and have run the day to day operations for the last five years.
What makes you qualified for this role?
I am the best candidate because I have over thirty years of experience in the field and am the only practicing Board Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator in Idaho. I have worked extensively in morgue operations, medicolegal death investigations and administration. I worked successfully with all of the various stakeholders involved in Coroner operations. My balanced approach to management has proven record of success.
If elected, what 2-3 actions do you intend to pursue in your first year?
In my first year I will reevaluate internal policies to determine if we are using our resources efficiently and effectively. I will also identify other funding sources to lessen the burden on the Ada County taxpayers. Finally, I will institute measures to address employee satisfaction and reduce the cost of employee turnover.
How have you served your community (boards, nonprofits, etc.)?
I am on the Board of Trustees for the Forensic Science Foundation, a nonprofit organization studying the application of science to the resolution of social and legal issues. FSF grants educational opportunities to students. I am also on the Board of the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME). This is an educational and accrediting body for coroners. We extend education and scholarship opportunities to coroners.
Do you consider yourself fiscally conservative?
I am fiscally conservative. It is my belief that there are “Wants” and “Needs” in professional service. “Needs” are what you must have to effectively serve and protect the community. These are essential but still must be addressed prudently. “Wants” are not essential but could be utilized within an organization. The can be addressed through grants or other forms of funding so as not to burden the taxpayer.
Do you consider yourself socially conservative?
I am a social conservative. I believe in strong family values where the ethics and morals of a lifetime are formed. The lessons taught by a mother and father will stay with their children their entire lives. I also believe in limited government. Assistance to those in need, but no gifting in perpetuity. It is not only a burden to the community but is detrimental to the individual as well.
Give us your one-minute elevator speech for the campaign.
I’m Brett Harding, running for Ada County Coroner. With over 30 years of experience in the field, including serving as coroner in a busy jurisdiction, I know what it takes to run an effective coroner’s office. I will uphold the highest forensic standards while keeping the public safe. Our office plays a vital role in public health by monitoring and preventing communicable diseases like meningitis, thoroughly investigating infant deaths to protect other family members, and tracking suicides to prevent clusters. I’m committed to professional, compassionate service for Ada County families.
What is your plan to advocate for your top priorities?
My number one priority is staffing. We’re almost fully staffed now after hiring our third pathologist. I personally called pathology programs across the country to recruit during a nationwide shortage. Second, I’m focused on smart budgeting. We don’t need more money, but we can reduce expenditures. I’m reviewing overtime and professional services. Instead of sending staff to expensive out-of-town trainings, I want to develop in-house training classes. Our facility can hold 48 people, so we can invite other coroner offices, charge for access, and actually generate revenue while saving money. I also want to improve job retention and employee satisfaction so we keep the talented people we’ve invested in.
How will you maintain independence from law enforcement, political pressure, or outside influence when determining cause and manner of death?
We already operate as an independent office and conduct our investigations that way. Our determination of cause and manner of death is made independently of whether a crime can be prosecuted. If law enforcement disagrees with our findings, they sit down with our forensic pathologist and review the case. Most of the time, they accept our conclusions after that discussion. If anyone tries to influence our determination, we must firmly shut that out. Allowing outside pressure would destroy our reputation and integrity, and I will never let that happen
What is your approach to communicating findings to the public and to families while balancing transparency with sensitivity and privacy?
Cause and manner of death are public records, but we handle families with great care. We do our due diligence before speaking with them to ensure they can accept the information. I communicate clearly but sensitively because the pain of losing a loved one is very real. When the manner of death might be suicide, I’m trained and certified in psychological autopsy and we use that as additional support. Speaking with families is one of the most difficult parts of this job. Youth suicides are especially hard for me personally. While suicide rates haven’t spiked dramatically, they remain a serious concern that we monitor closely.
How do you view the role of the coroner in protecting individual rights and ensuring government accountability in death investigations?
We have clear legislation protecting death scene photos from public release, and I believe they should remain private—they are family matters, not public interest. Our primary duty is to accurately determine cause and manner of death while making the process as painless as possible for grieving families. We take our responsibility to safeguard families seriously while still protecting the broader public interest. Nobody benefits when families are forced to grieve more publicly than necessary. We balance accountability with compassion and respect for individual rights in every investigation. (
Can you describe how you would approach a high-profile or controversial death investigation to ensure accuracy, credibility, and public confidence?
We approach every death investigation exactly the same, whether it’s high-profile or routine. I will never deviate from established protocol, because doing so sets us up for failure. Even in controversial cases, we maintain strict confidentiality and follow every step carefully. We must protect our employees from outside pressures, including tabloids or media demands. Staying consistent and professional builds credibility and public confidence. No matter how much attention a case receives, our focus remains on accuracy, integrity, and doing the job right.
How will you responsibly manage the coroner’s office budget while ensuring timely and thorough investigations, including autopsies and toxicology?
We are dual accredited and already meet national guidelines, with 90% of toxicology reports completed within 90 days. With three pathologists now on staff, we aim to reduce that to 60 days where possible. Some cases take longer due to outside testing, like sending skeletal remains to the FBI. In managing the budget, I’m fiscally prudent. I won’t spend on non-essentials like new uniforms, challenge coins, or office remodels. I plan to cut overtime by streamlining work and explore revenue sources such as medical student rotations, charging for cremation authorizations, teaching death certificate classes for doctors, and renting out our new CT scanner to outside users. These steps will offset tax dollars while keeping investigations timely and thorough.