April 10, 2018, UPDATE:

Accuracy Matters

Podcast not affiliated with church
CrossPolitic is a podcast created and recorded by Christ Church members but not directly affiliated with the church. A story on Page 1A of the April 3 edition contained incorrect information due to a Daily News error.

Conservative candidates talk abortion, education

Would-be nominees for Idaho Lieutenant Governor discuss political issues with Christ Church podcast CrossPolitic
By Scott Jackson, Daily News staff writer

Three candidates seeking the Republican nomination for Idaho Lieutenant Governor talked abortion, education and the relationship between federal and state governments Monday in Moscow.

The event was hosted by the Christ Church podcast CrossPolitic and featured State Rep. Janice McGeachin, current State Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, and Steve Yates, a former chairman of the Idaho Republican Party and former national security adviser to Dick Cheney.

The discussion ranged across a number of conservative talking points, but the conversation first moved to which gubernatorial candidate each would-be Lieutenant Governor supports.

While Yates declined to answer, Nonini touted his political connections as a sitting member of the Idaho Senate. While he does have a preferred winner, Nonini said the relationships he has with his colleagues in the legislature leaves him uniquely positioned to help smooth the transition, regardless of which gubernatorial candidate takes the title.

“In July of ’16, I committed to Brad Little,” Nonini said.

McGeachin said all three republican men who are running for governor are qualified, but that she most closely identifies with Raúl Labrador.

When the conversation turned to abortion legislation, host and Christ Church Pastor Toby Sumpter said abortion should be criminalized.

“About 12,000 babies are murdered in Idaho every year by abortion,” Sumpter said. “Are you willing to stand up on a chair and say ‘12,000 is too many?’”

McGeachin said she would work with the Legislature to push such measures. Yates had a different answer.

“I think we all agree that abortion is murder,” Yates said to cheers from the conservative crowd. “It’s a fundamental disrespect for the power of creation. I don’t think there’s any way around it.”

When Sumpter pushed the conversation further, asking if women who have abortions should face the death penalty, McGeachin balked, saying she would not support such an extreme stance.

“I’ve never been one of those women that had to make that decision,” McGeachin said. “But for those that have, that’s what I believe in is the restorative faith of our god.”

Sumpter said he believes in unilateral grace of the Christian faith, however, it is still just to face the consequences of actions like “murdering babies.”

Education was another hot topic.

Nonini said 95 percent of Idaho students are in public education. One of the things that makes Idaho a destination for homeschool parents is its lack of regulation, Nonini said. Nonini said he would support the expansion of tax credits to parents who homeschool.

“You know, for a Republican to serve on education in the Legislature is a tough position,” Nonini said. “The teacher’s union does not like Bob Nonini.”

For his part, Yates said funding resources should follow the student rather than being awarded to the closest public institution they may attend.

“The vast majority of conservatives around Idaho believe the resources need to follow the child,” Yates said. “If that child is being educated to the best of (their) ability in a private school, in a charter school or even a public school, the resources need to go where that child is.”

The Idaho Primary Election is slated to be held May 15, and the general election is scheduled for Nov. 6.

Scott Jackson can be reached at (208) 883-4636, or by email to sjackson [at] dnews.com.