This year, local politics matter more than ever.

In just over a month, I’ll cast my vote for the most important election of my lifetime.

I’m not just saying that because I’m running for State Senate in District 17. I truly believe the 2020 election represents a crucial turning point for our country—and for our own communities, right here in Idaho.

Still, as I’ve been on the campaign trail, I’ve heard from lots of folks who aren’t planning to vote. To respect community health concerns, I’ve been mostly calling and texting voters this campaign season, but have also been (safely) knocking on doors. Many times, people have told me, “I don’t vote.”

I do understand why many people don’t vote. The federal government feels so far removed from most of our day-to-day lives. While federal politicians debate our fates on extreme opposite ends of the two-party political spectrum 2,000 miles away in D.C., many of us fall somewhere in the middle and simply want some form of compromise, some action.

Presidential elections are what many of us have in mind when we think about voting. And while I certainly encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote, that’s not what I’m writing about today. I’m here to urge you to get involved in local elections.

Change happens slowly, in small increments. It starts from the ground up. Policy changes happen when groups of people are affected by an issue—and decide to do something about it. Here in Idaho, where our state legislators are remarkably accessible, many of our laws start with constituents. Our legislators hear from thousands of people about the issues that matter to them on the campaign trail and while they’re in session. It’s a legislator’s job to listen and act on issues that affect their constituents. There are innovative, effective local programs occurring all over the country—and as they gather momentum, they have the potential to create real change at a national level. One exciting example is my role in a campaign to end family homelessness right here in Ada County. My nonprofit, Jesse Tree, is the prevention lead agency, and we are working together to plan how to keep families in Ada County housed through innovative programs and close collaborations. When we end family homelessness, it will set an example for other communities around the country. (Shout out to Ada County Commissioner Diana Lachiondo for all of her work on this as well!)

There is an opportunity to restore civility in the statehouse so that we can make that local change happen. From growing up in rural Idaho, to working for the U.S. government and the nonprofit sector, I've learned the power of working with people from all types of backgrounds. We have no choice but to band together to address our communities’ immediate problems, to ensure inevitable changes work for everyone. I hope to bring my sincere desire to collaborate, strong policy background, and bias for action into the legislature to address our highest-impact issues: housing, education, the economy, and criminal justice. There is simply no time for drama; we have to find ways to work together to get things done to address issues that matter. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg was a living example of the effectiveness of fighting ideas, not people: “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

There is an opportunity to restore balance in our local legislature in other ways. Idaho has 35 State Senators. Just nine of them are women and seven of them are Democrats. Many legislators are retired, wealthy, and have corporate backgrounds. Diversity of perspective is important, and we need next generation leadership that’s committed to the community. Directing my busy nonprofit, I’m grounded in the realities that our community is facing as I see many people struggle to meet their basic needs each month. I believe each and every one of them deserves to have a voice.

That’s why this November, I’ll be on the ballot, along with many of your neighbors who have stepped up to run for office. We’re running because we care about you and about our communities. Regardless of who (if anyone) gets your vote for president this November, I hope you’ll cast a vote for your neighbors who care enough to act.

I hope you will help me by getting involved in my campaign. I’m working to reach 10,000 voters who have requested their ballots. We’re working on reaching them through various means —and  all of them cost money. Please consider chipping in - your contribution of $25, $50, $100, or $250 can make a huge difference as election day gets closer! If you can lend a hand to knock on doors or make phone calls for me from home as well, please let me know - we could certainly use your help!

Different perspectives matter—our community needs refugee voices

Months ago, while campaigning for this election, I met a woman who was a Somalian refugee. Her husband was set to join her here in Boise, but his acceptance into the U.S. was put on hold in January 2017, when the Trump administration instituted a travel ban. He’s been waiting in a refugee camp ever since. 

Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common. Refugee camps are often unsafe, unsanitary, and don’t provide people with basic educational and work opportunities. And with a pandemic raging on, it should be an international priority to move refugees out of camps and into society, where they’ll be able to live safely and positively impact their communities.

Meeting refugee families here on the Bench has had me reflecting a lot on my time as a refugee and asylum officer with the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). From 2014 until I put in my notice shortly after the 2016 election, I processed refugees from dozens of countries—some of the most common were Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Venezuela, Colombia, and Somalia.

In my role, I had a set of new cases every week—at least two each day, and more like five or six per day if I was traveling on a refugee detail. I would have some time to prepare each case by reading through the applicant’s file and conducting research into the conditions in their home country. Then the refugee, their family, and sometimes their attorney would come into my office, and I’d call an interpreter to help me interview them. 

I’d interview families for hours—sometimes all day, if their case was really complicated—so I could cross-check their story with the application and my research. In essence, I had to put the refugee or asylum applicant “on the stand” to evaluate the truth, accuracy, and legality of their claim. After the interview, I’d write up a legal memorandum with a summary of the case, the laws and country conditions that applied, and a decision. That’s when I’d have to stamp “approved” or “denied” on the application. 

This is one of the many reasons the 2017 travel ban was so baffling to me. The U.S. has accepted more refugees than any other country since the 1980s, and in my experience refugees, especially those from the Middle East, are vetted incredibly thoroughly before being allowed to enter the U.S. Refugee and asylum officers like myself are trained intensively on interview techniques, how to conduct country conditions research, and asylum law. Officers take national security concerns very seriously. All this makes it exceptionally difficult for anyone who’s ever even had contact with a militant or terrorist group to enter the country—even if someone has bought gasoline from ISIS, they can be barred from entering the U.S. 

Once the vetting process is complete, it’s time to welcome refugees into our neighborhoods. And while that’s certainly important for refugees and asylum-seekers themselves, it also has a wonderful impact on our communities. Some of the most important things we gain are:

• Diversity. Refugees add diversity to our communities. Their presence exposes us to new ideas and different backgrounds, and allows us to share experiences with others who don’t think like us. Opportunities to question our ways of thinking drives growth.

• Economic impact. Refugees are an important part of the U.S.'s economy, and a huge asset to our communities—especially here in Boise! Did you know that refugees have a particularly high rate of entrepreneurship? 

• Perspective. I have heard thousands of stories from refugees from all over the world. Many came from far less privileged backgrounds. Their perspectives on overcoming adversity, remaining positive, and making the most of it inspire me every day.

• Culture. Some studies have even shown that exposure to new cultures can boost creativity and boost independence, and make us more social, flexible, and open-minded. Other cultures can also offer a new way of looking at life, family, and community.

All these things and more are easy to see here on the Bench, where we have some of the most diverse schools in the city, thanks to our refugee community. We’re also known for our amazing selection of restaurants and shops serving up food and culture from all over the world. I feel so lucky to live in a community where I have neighbors with such diverse experiences—and also where I can grab dinner from my favorite restaurant, Kibrom’s, more often than I care to admit!

I’m no longer working for USCIS, but my work at a housing nonprofit still puts me in contact with Boise’s refugee communities. These folks often have a difficult time finding adequate housing. Some have moved to the U.S. with excellent educations and English skills, but many are not. Some refugees were doctors and lawyers in their home countries, but when they had to flee and move to a refugee camp, it meant starting over. 

Having to start from scratch often means refugees must rent, not own—and as Boiseans know all too well, the rental market in this community is limited, costs continue to increase, and there are few protections. The tight housing market has impacted many, many refugees in our community, and that’s a problem for all of us. 

We depend on refugees to contribute to our communities, boost our economies, and start businesses. It’s also a human rights issue: many refugees are languishing in unsafe conditions, and it must be a priority to integrate them into our communities—and ensure they have housing once they’re here. This is one of the many reasons I’m excited to serve as your State Senator: to serve all members of my community and lend my voice to our most vulnerable populations. 

Reforming our criminal justice system can’t wait any longer.

I knew I wanted to study law early on. At the College of Idaho, I interned at the local prosecutor’s office. One of the first cases I observed was a 14-year-old boy who had been pulled over for driving without a license on his way to school. His parents, undocumented immigrants, had been terrified to go to the police station to post his $100 bail, fearing they’d be deported. The underfunded public defender’s office hadn’t noticed the situation, and as time went by, it snowballed out of control. It was horrifying to realize how deeply one small mistake—where no one had even gotten hurt—could affect this kid’s future. 

That summer, I saw many more examples of how our criminal justice system fails low-income people and other vulnerable populations. Growing up in Middleton, I’d seen it first-hand, including witnessing a family member’s involvement in the system. 

That’s why I went to law school to become a public defender. During that time, I interned at public defenders’ offices and started a project to collect prisoners’ stories. I wanted to get others involved, too, and eventually my fellow law students and I collected dozens of stories. Getting to know prisoners as human beings inspired compassion in my colleagues, some of whom said they’d always thought of criminals as bad people. But in reality, people who commit crimes are often regular people who are stuck in poverty or battling mental health or substance use issues.

I carried those stories with me early in my career, when I represented both juveniles and adults in criminal court. Later, I worked for a public defender in Cambodia, where I witnessed some of the greatest human rights violations I’ve seen in my career. People were crowded into tiny, cement rooms and slept on thin bamboo mats. The jail itself did not provide adequate food, so families had to drive in from rural areas to deliver food to them each day.

Most of the folks incarcerated there had committed minor property crimes, like stealing a motorcycle or phone cards, in order to feed their families. After that summer, I wrote a fellowship to return to Cambodia in order to study and advocate for indigenous land rights. That’s where my career in protecting land and housing rights began. My purpose was to reduce root causes of crime—poverty and desperation—by protecting people’s basic needs, such as housing and the ability to feel safe and secure.

Housing and criminal justice reform are closely tied together. At Jesse Tree, we operate a housing crisis hotline—and every month, we hear from hundreds of Treasure Valley families who are unable to pay their rent. Of those families, over one-third have been incarcerated. Their incarceration records cause them great difficulty as they search for employment and housing, since any landlord or employer can easily look up their record. Without the ability to find a job or increase one’s income, it’s obviously much more difficult to pay the bills.

Right now, there are more than 8,600 people in prison in Idaho. Most of them are serving time for nonviolent offenses—over 70% of prison admissions in Idaho are for probation or parole violations. Those imprisoned are disproportionately people of color: in 2017, Black adults in Idaho were imprisoned at five times the rate of white adults, and one in 24 Black men in Idaho was in prison. Our state also has the fourth-highest incarceration rate among women. Every year, prisons cost Idaho taxpayers up to $300 million. (You can learn more about the Idaho prison landscape and its impacts on our community through ACLU Idaho.) 

For me, and for many of my neighbors, these statistics hit close to home. I’ve talked to dozens of Bench residents who have been personally affected by the criminal justice system. I recently spoke with a woman whose daughter became addicted to heroin through prescription medication. Instead of being given opportunities to rehabilitate, she ended up spending four years of her life incarcerated for her minor possession charge. I know there are many more stories like this in our neighborhood and our state. 

I envision a future where Idahoans who commit nonviolent crimes related to substance use and mental health are provided with opportunities to improve their lives and recover, rather than merely being punished. As a result, Idaho families will thrive. Fewer single parents and families’ lives will be put on hold as people—not criminals, but people—wait for resolutions from the state.

It’s going to take a lot of work to get to that future. I’ve been meeting with local advocates and legislators about their efforts in criminal justice reform, and there are many opportunities for improvement. Some of the first criminal justice-related measures I’ll support as your state senate representative are: 

• Offering more alternatives to incarceration, such as drug courts piloted in Ada County.

• Reaffirming commitment to the long-standing Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI), which will strengthen community supervision programs and reduce recidivism, such as by increasing the timely release of people in prison for nonviolent drug and minor property crimes.

• I worked with Cherie Buckner-Webb and the ACLU last year on their efforts to pass the Fair Chance Employment Bill, which would remove the “felony” box job applicants need to check in order to get an interview. This bill had some momentum but unfortunately did not get through committee at the end. I would like to bring this back.

• Eliminating or reducing mandatory minimum sentences.

• Investing in the public defense system, so it has adequate resources to fulfill its constitutional obligations.

This issue is more urgent now than ever before. As our country reckons with its history of systemic racism and addresses the public health crisis of overcrowded prisons in the midst of a global pandemic, we cannot ignore the need for criminal justice reform any longer. That change has to begin at the local level, right here in Boise. I’ve made it my life’s work to fight for the most vulnerable members of my community, and that’s one of the many reasons I’m running to represent District 17. I look forward to continuing this work in the Idaho State Senate.

What does it mean to be a good neighbor?

How many times over the last five months have you stopped and thought to yourself, “This is a really strange time to be alive”? I’ve stopped keeping track, but for me, it’s quite a few.

It’s also a really strange time to be a political candidate. Honestly, I didn’t anticipate running for office this quickly after returning home to Boise—but when the incumbent of the State Senate seat in my district asked me to raise my hand, I knew it was time to step up for my community. After all, that’s what I was raised to believe being a good neighbor is about: offering a helping hand when times are tough.

Between a global pandemic, debates about mandated mask-wearing, protests over systemic racism, and for many, the added stress of juggling working from home with kids’ remote learning, the world feels overwhelming right now. Meanwhile, politicians at the federal level draw lines and pick sides, because division is all they know how to do.

In my nonprofit work at Jesse Tree, I have lots of opportunities to connect with our neighbors right here in Boise. In our mission to prevent eviction, we interact with folks who are unable to pay rent. Issues of housing often intersect with many other systemic issues: wages, transportation, generational poverty, and mental health—and lately, these intersections are more obvious than ever. When you boil it down, this isn’t about politics. It’s about community.

That’s one thing I’ve always loved about Boise: even as it grows into a bigger city, it feels like a community. It’s not just that people smile and wave when we pass each other on the greenbelt (although I love that, too!). Even though federal politics sometimes make me want to throw my hands in the air, I’m heartened by the fact that Boiseans are stepping up.

I’ve talked to dozens of people who decided to donate their stimulus checks to my nonprofit to help cover their neighbors’ rent. People turn up at the Capitol daily to share messages of hope and inclusivity. It’s a crucial reminder that what we need right now isn’t politics. What we need right now are good neighbors.

Here on the Bench, I’m lucky to have great neighbors. They wave as they walk by, stop to chat for a moment when they see me in the yard, and keep an eye on my house when I’m away. It’s one of my favorite things about living here. My parents raised me to be a good neighbor, and I hope the folks on my street think the same things about me, too (even when my dog barks at the squirrels in my backyard).

Right now, being a good neighbor also means taking a stand for my community. It means using my career in public service to help my neighbors who are disenfranchised or experiencing housing insecurity. It means taking on a bigger leadership role here in Boise, because we need local leaders with a pulse on the community. We need public servants whose lives are based in reality, with boots on the ground.

Thank you.

Well, that was remarkable.

In the middle of a global pandemic and economic crisis that intersected with my day job working on housing solutions to prevent eviction, I decided to run for public office for the first time.

And, after weeks of early mornings, late nights, and countless calls, texts, and emails with voters, I’m so happy with the results of last night’s primary election. We won over 75% of a historic number of ballots returned in this district!

To my volunteers, donors, supporters, and wonderful family (including my mom/star phonebanker, Peggy): thank you. Thank you for taking this unexpected, challenging, and rewarding journey with me.

Thank you to Senator Maryanne Jordan for encouraging me to raise my hand to serve.

And thank you to the voters of District 17 for your faith in me. I hope to make you proud in November and again next year at the Statehouse.

If you’d like to help in the coming months before Election Day, please visit my website to sign up for newsletters, find ways to volunteer, or make a contribution.

What Would You Do?

I had an interesting text exchange this week while phone-banking:

Me: Hello! My name is Ali Rabe, a candidate for State Senate in District 17, and I’m reaching out to make sure to request your ballot before May 19th. Do you have any questions for me on how to do that?

Them: Move to California! We don’t need you! Trump 2020!!!

Me: I'm sorry you feel that way but I was born and raised here in Idaho. Even though you support Trump I hope you will consider supporting local folks for local offices. Do you have any questions for me?

Them: I know your local. All that schooling must have warped your judgement. Might fit in better with California. Stop trying to turn our state into garbage with your beliefs. I will be supporting my local Republican’s who believe in Idaho’s history and independence.

Me: …….

....How would you respond to this?

As someone who was born and raised in Idaho and loves this state (who else was born at St. Luke’s hospital!?), who dedicates my days and nights to bettering our community, I have received more than one request to “move to California” from my neighbors who say they identify as Republican and/or support Trump. People have told me I don’t represent “Idaho’s values” and that I am “ruining Idaho.”

I’ll be honest - as a first-time candidate I am growing a thicker skin, but this hurts. I would like these people to understand how I dedicate an enormous amount of hours to preventing eviction and homelessness from happening to our neighbors and community. I want to tell them that, although I will always stand by my progressive values, I have lived through their frustrations about our federal government’s ineffectiveness and inefficiencies when I worked for the Department of Homeland Security, which is partially why I'm so excited about making a difference in local politics. I want to explain my belief that we as Democrats are often incorrectly pegged as believing in “big government” and a government which takes away from people’s basic independence and ability to make their own decisions, while I identify as a Democrat for just the opposite reason - to stand up for a better, more effective government which is focused on serving the people and their ability to have a good life with their basic needs fulfilled and basic human and civil rights protected.

Four years after the 2016 election shocked us all, I am still confused by how divisive politics are. 2020 will likely continue to divide us. But isn’t it our duty as local candidates to engage those folks in discussion? To educate them about what your values truly are? How can you reach across the line between red and blue and have a civil discussion with folks who are so inflamed and frustrated by their lives and the government? How can you overcome the messaging people get about Democrats from biased, often fake news sources?

I would welcome your comments and discussion on this critical issue in this very important election year - let me know what you think!

FAQs

While phone banking and filling out questionnaires for endorsements, there are quite a few common questions I have been getting. I thought I would share my answers with you! Please let me know if you would like clarification on any of these responses (Ali@AliforIdaho.com). 

1. Why are you running? What are your top three priorities?

When Maryanne Jordan asked me to run for her seat, it felt like a childhood dream coming true. After reconciling this big job with my values and daily responsibilities directing a critical nonprofit, I realized that I wanted new leadership and fresh energy in the legislature and that an opportunity to make a difference at the state level might not come around again. My passion for serving my community, ability to build bridges and relationships, and developing large-scale impact policies and systems throughout my career has readied me for the experience.

My top three priorities for the 2021 legislative session are affordable and accessible housing, quality education with adequate teacher pay, as well as criminal justice reform. Through my conversations with constituents these past few months, we have recognized that these issues, in addition to coronavirus-related questions, are most concerning to District 17 residents.

1. What sets you apart from your challengers?

My education, experiences, and long-term ties to Idaho demonstrate my ability to make a difference in the legislature. I have dedicated my career as an attorney, despite having a law degree from William & Mary, to work in the nonprofit and government sectors to serve immigrants, the accused, and homeless populations. My professional experiences are a stark contrast to my upbringing in Middleton, Idaho, and I know I have the skills to build relationships with legislators in all corners of Idaho. I am currently the Executive Director of Jesse Tree, working to prevent homelessness in the Treasure Valley, and, alongside my strong team, am building quality of life in Boise. I want to bring my work to scale at the state. My experiences in the nonprofit sector have continued to hone my skills at building relationships, collaboration, and being action-oriented and solutions-focused.

In addition to my professional background, I am a true Democrat. I believe in equal rights for all residents including our LGBTQIA friends and family members, reasonable gun regulations, immigrants and refugees, and women. I hold a firm pro-choice stance. I don’t believe my challengers can make those claims.

1. How do you think you can be effective as a Democrat in the state legislature?

Being outnumbered in value-based conversations is challenging. I have seen great strides from legislators like Melissa Wintrow, Ilana Rubel, Maryanne Jordan, and Cherie Buckner-Webb and take my cues from them. I noticed that they develop policies alongside their Republican peers and help mitigate damage as much as possible. It can be disheartening to be reactive so frequently in policy but my goal is to not only defend the rights and services we currently have.

I also plan to work and plan ahead to introduce progressive policies by convincing some of my more moderate Republican counterparts. I come from a rural upbringing in Middleton and my dad was a Republican; mom was a Democrat. Political debate was a common occurrence around our dinner table. I also grew up with people who had very different beliefs, then went on to work in cross-cultural environments all over the world. From my diverse experiences as well as success in the nonprofit sector, I've had to learn to communicate and collaborate with people from all types of backgrounds. I believe that my ability to build relationships, remain curious, and appreciate diversity of perspective would allow me to educate and sway some of my Republican colleagues on some matters.

Finally, I believe in planning and working ahead on legislation can help ensure success. This year, I worked on and testified in favor of a few pieces of legislation including the Fair Warning and Fair Chance Employment bills. When I testified in front of committees and witnessed the ensuing debates, I found those bills were only successful because the Democratic legislators had conversations with each of their Republican colleagues behind closed doors ahead of time.

1. Are you staying on at your current job while you legislate?

As a person who is so passionate about preventing homelessness in Idaho, I am planning to stay in my current role as Executive Director of Jesse Tree through the legislative session. My Board of Directors and I will develop a plan of action and recruit interim leadership should I be elected. 

1. Do you see any conflict between environmental protection and economic growth in Idaho? Is there a balance? If so, what do you believe is the proper balance?

Like many policy matters, I see conflict in environmental protection and economic growth but will continue to seek balance. Proper balance takes into consideration the following: the number of individuals impacted, the land’s history and usage, exploration of all possible options, as well as the agendas that may be behind pressing certain issues. When analyzing all these factors, I know that I have the option to do what is right which may, or may not, include a sense of balance.

1. Will family planning, public funding for sexual and reproductive health care, clinic access, health reform implementation, abortion rights, access to emergency contraception or sex education be significant issues in your race? 

Yes, each of these issues is important to me and important to my constituents. Polls regularly show that healthcare is a top priority to many voters. When making decisions and advocating for policy change, I will rely on science and reason. Access to comprehensive healthcare and robust, and evidence-informed health education must be attainable for all Idahoans, and I am prepared to work to make that a reality. District 17 has a historically Democratic lean, allowing me to champion bolder progress and change for Idaho than more conservative districts. I am prepared to start dialogue and champion needed legislation from the start. 

I aim to bring needed generational change to the Idaho Senate and, as a young woman, I understand that access to sex education, services, and abortion, is a healthcare right. My experiences as a woman represent imperative change that is needed in Idaho’s Legislature that these other candidates cannot provide. Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii is a vital partner in my campaign for District 17’s Senate seat. Securing an endorsement from such a trusted and dedicated organization will help voters better understand my priorities and help me win the May 19th primary. When it comes to the issues listed above, there is a right side of the fight, and I plan to be on it.

The Intersection of a Campaign & a Nonprofit

I find myself constantly connecting my nonprofit world to this new political landscape and reflecting on what an interesting few months it has been! J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation contributed $250,000 to the nonprofit I direct, Jesse Tree, in order to invest in preventing homelessness. I’m also so grateful for all of the other contributions from local foundations, corporations, and individuals Jesse Tree has received. 

Fundraising for a campaign during a pandemic is little trickier. It is also necessary! We know that we need quality leaders that are going to represent all Idahoans in the  upcoming legislative session, which will be one of the most important sessions in recent history. While fundraising for Jesse Tree, I've seen the great need to educate funders, legislators, and citizens like you on investing in nonprofits and campaigns responsibly. 

I want to take an opportunity to share how donors, including funding coming from the government, can make the most of their investment in these critical times: continue donating to your favorite nonprofits, regardless of their mission, as well as political campaigns. Your contributions right now will be super critical to maintaining the quality of life we enjoy in Idaho. I also recommend you give directly to the organization or campaign, and mark the donation to unrestricted funds, which will allow organization’s leadership to invest in what’s needed the most.

Whether you are passionate about arts and culture, human services, political movements, or legal rights, there is no wrong mission to invest in during these trying times. Again, I challenge donors to find the best way that takes the least amount of time and money away from the organization and to invest in work that is critical. Send a check or donate online, but regardless of the method, directly donate to a mission you most care about.

Thank you to all of the donors out there, and for supporting Idahoans, our community, and our future even when times are tough!

Campaign Reflections

In case running for office wasn’t already hard enough, we are running this campaign during unprecedented times. While our initial plan was to talk to voters by knocking on doors and to fundraise by hosting house parties, our entire strategy has had to switch over to the digital platform. It has been interesting to say the least!

On a positive note, people are at home and answering their phone. On our phone calls with voters, we have already met people living in District 17 from all walks of life, and they are generally excited about my candidacy! However, when speaking with folks it also becomes apparent just how hard things are for people right now. I spoke with a man who had recently lost his home and was living out of his car, parked in the library parking lot. He depended on the library’s computers and internet to submit job and housing applications. I wonder what he is doing now that the library is closed to the public. I talked to an 88-year-old woman who was stuck in her home and needed groceries. She had gone to the store to get food but was scared to go again because people weren’t respecting social distancing or wearing masks and gloves. I spoke to a teacher who was struggling to get her kids to engage online, and a nurse who had just finished her shift at the hospital.

Each of these folks recognized the issues that were still important to them; basic human rights, education, housing, health care, a strong economy - but they also saw that the potential solutions would need to inevitably change in line with our world’s current crisis. 

The sad and ironic thing about COVID is that it’s revealed issues that already existed in our society: two out of five Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck and can’t build up savings so that they can cover an unanticipated $400 expense. One out of five Americans are literally living month-to-month and can barely cover rent and food costs. Cost of rents and property taxes continue to rise while wages stay the same year-to-year. Thousands lack access to health care and avoid the doctor due to cost. Our teachers already feel strapped with resources and feel powerless to address the needs of some of their most vulnerable kids.

These were issues before COVID, and they will continue to be revealed in the coming months. It is important that now, more than ever, we elect someone who gets it. The legislature is going to need to shift its priorities in 2021 to ensure our society’s longstanding, intractable problems don’t get even worse.

Don’t forget to request your absentee ballot at https://idahovotes.gov/absentee-request.

COVID Response & Resources

These are strange times and I hope each one of you are staying safe and taking precautions against contracting COVID-19. Personally, I have been working from home—trying to maintain contact with the Jesse Tree team and keep up with the demand for more eviction prevention services. 

Know that you are not alone. The community, the nation, and the world are attempting to navigate through this virus and the changes it has forced upon us. I worry about how Boise will change in the coming months and the long-term damage this may cause. One bright light in the middle of this struggle has been the re-evaluation of personal life I have seen my friends and family undertake. Some folks have been able to remember what is really important to them, friends, family, and time outdoors, and may permanently restructure their lives to embrace these joys.

As employees are laid off or having their hours cut back, I want you to know that I am currently expending all of my efforts into fundraising to pay rent and offer supportive services to as many as people as possible during this crisis. I also want to offer a few resources should you, or someone you know, find themselves looking for some support in these trying times.

• Idaho Official Resources for the Novel Coronovirus—this website has a list of essential services, a FAQs page, as well as the latest updates on the Statewide Stay-At-Home Order.

• Jesse Tree—Jesse Tree works on preventing homelessness by offering up rental assistance. I also just happen to be the Executive Director!

• Child Care & Children’s Food—In a true act of love, the Boys & Girls Club is remaining open to offer child care to employees of essential services. They also have connections to great food for kiddos through Create Common Good.

• Boise Public Library—While the physical locations are closed, you can find resources through their website or by calling the downtown branch. There are even online activities to keep you engaged!

• Ada County—Did you know that the courts are shut down until April 30th? Check out that information, plus a whole lot more about county services through their COVID updates webpage.

• Food & More!—I’ve been missing sitting on a downtown patio during this great weather and I am certain you have too. Check out Boise Dev’s list of downtown Boise restaurants offering food and booze delivery or take out and support local businesses!

Please remember to stay safe. I want each of you to have healthy and happy families today, tomorrow, and indefinitely. As always, please email me if you have any questions or concerns (Ali@aliforidaho.com).

The Bad Bills of 2020

This legislative session brought forward many bills that were shocking on all levels of common sense, as well as a handful of others that I support. I wanted to write a recap of the more horrific legislation that was passed by both House and Senate this session and ask you to contact the Governor so we can get these bills vetoed. Many thanks to groups such as Idaho Women in Action for gathering all this information.

Governor Little can be contacted through March 31st on these bill by emailing him at Governor@gov.idaho.gov and by calling 208-334-2100. 

HB440   State Sanctioned Discrimination, Public 

• Framed as a con on affirmative action, this bill will undermine much-needed efforts to rectify unconscious bias and bring diversity to our workforce. It removes diversity as a criteria in public employment, education, and contracting.

HB500  “Fairness in Women’s Sports” 

• Prohibits all transgender women from participating in sports from birth to college.

• There has not been a single instance of a problem with female transgender athletes in Idaho- this is legislation is search of a problem.

• All girls can be challenged and subjected to scrutiny, exams, blood tests, etc.  In the bill there is no criteria, rules, due process, or boundaries for challenging the athlete.  Anyone can challenge any athlete at any age for no reason.

• Who pays for the exams, blood tests, DNA tests, and how available are these in all parts of Idaho, what is the turn-around and how long will the athlete have to sit on the sidelines?

• This will be challenged in court and will probably be struck down.

• Idaho High School Association, NCAA and IOC already have rules and guidelines that have served Idaho well. None of these groups (who are experts on fairness in sports) have found it necessary to ban all female transgender athletes from sports.

HB509   No Change to Gender Marker on Birth Certificates 

• US District Court in Idaho ruled in 3/2018 that prohibiting a change to the gender marker on birth certificate violates the equal protection clause in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.

• This will be challenged in court - do we want to spend thousands of Idaho tax dollars defending a case that already has precedent and will lose?

SB1385   Trigger law to criminalize ALL abortions in Idaho, if Roe v Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court

• There is no exception for the health of the mother.

• For rape, you must go through an arduous process in court to prove you were raped.

HB516   Concealed Weapons, any citizen over 18 can carry anywhere in Idaho

• Would allow just about anyone to legally carry concealed handguns in public places across our state with no training or background check.

• This is a threat to public safety.

Boise City Council “Gerrymandering” Bill – The legislature mandated that only Boise create geographic districts and city council candidates must live in the district for which they run.  This takes local control away from the citizens of Boise, and this only applies to Boise, - no other city in the state of any size.  Blatant partisanship and usurpation of local control.

I am running for office knowing that bills like the ones above will continuously be presented in Idaho but I am ready to continue Maryanne Jordan’s legacy in fighting for equity and representation for ALL Idahoans.

Thank you for your support!

Fair Chance Employment

Over the past few weeks, I testified in favor of the Fair Chance Employment bill, which would remove the box people with felony records have to check on job applications.

I've worked with people with all kinds of records for my entire career - people with incarceration, eviction, and immigration records which hold them back from getting to the next step in life. I encourage you to support this bill and the ability of our neighbors to have a second chance.

Thank you Cherie Buckner-Webb and the ACLU of Idaho for all of their incredible work on this bill!

I got to talk to Madeline White of Channel 6 about some of my thoughts after testifying - notice that I can’t contain my excitement about this important legislation!

2020

Hi all - time to launch this campaign! 2020 will be a challenging year to run for office. We all know how polarized the national political scene is. It feels like there is little room for civil discussion and compromise in the space between red and blue.

I know how to get things done, and to do that I’ve learned to work with all kinds of people from different backgrounds. I’ve learned to ask a lot of questions, listen, and build relationships, even with people who might attribute their identity to a different set of ideologies.

2020 is going to be a fight to unite people around a common vision, but luckily it starts here. I’m trying to get ahead of the 2020 noise by raising $5,000 over the next couple of weeks. Give me a jumpstart by donating today. Consider giving $20/month for 2020, or give bigger, which will allow me to build a strong campaign. I’m looking forward to listening, building relationships, and finding solutions that best serve District 17 - and the state of Idaho - in 2021.

Donate and sign up to volunteer on this website. You can also donate by sending a check to PO Box 190405 Boise, ID 83719.

Running for Office

I'm excited to announce that I'm running for State Senate District 17 in 2020. This is not a decision I took lightly, but when the legendary Maryanne Jordan encourages you to run and offers to endorse you, you run. I'll do my best to fill her shoes while carving my own path. As we all know, there is a lot of work to be done in the Capitol. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves.

I am staying on full-time at Jesse Tree throughout this campaign, and I promise to keep the growth and health of my organization at the forefront. We will still be working to prevent eviction for as many of our neighbors as possible. Should I win, Jesse Tree will have a plan in place for the legislative session.

I'm still cobbling together a campaign, but for now please follow campaign happenings on this website!

See the announcement of Maryanne stepping down and her endorsement for my candidacy in the news:

• Sen. Maryanne Jordan won’t seek re-election (Idaho Press, Feb. 6)

• Boise Sen. Maryanne Jordan announces she will retire from Idaho Senate (Idaho Statesman, Feb. 6)

• Boise Sen. Maryanne Jordan will not seek another term (KTVB, Feb. 6)