Blaine County Democrats Announce Unified Slate for Legislative District 26

Hailey, Idaho — The Blaine County Democratic Party today announced its full slate for Idaho’s Legislative District 26: first-time candidates Anita Janis (State Representative, Seat A) and Kevin Marsh (State Representative, Seat B), alongside incumbent State Senator Ron Taylor seeking reelection.

Together, the ticket reflects a shared commitment to strong rural communities, quality public education, stewardship of public lands, and practical, responsive leadership in Boise. “Our candidates represent the best of District 26 — leaders rooted in community and ready to serve with integrity,” said Deborah Silver, Chair of the Blaine County Democrats. “We’re proud to stand united behind this team.”

Anita Janis, Candidate for State Representative, District 26 Seat A

A lifelong educator and rural workforce development leader, Janis has built career pathways for Idaho students, managed complex public budgets, and strengthened partnerships between education and industry.

“I’m running to deliver thoughtful, responsible leadership that listens first and focuses on practical solutions,” Janis said. Her priorities include strengthening public education, expanding workforce training, protecting rural healthcare access, supporting agriculture, tourism and small businesses, and upholding fiscal responsibility.

Janis serves as Chair of the Jerome County Democrats and Secretary of the Idaho Democratic Party Rural Caucus.

Contact: anitaforidaho@gmail.com

Kevin Marsh, Candidate for State Representative, District 26 Seat B

Bellevue-area farmer, historian, and retired Idaho State University faculty member Kevin Marsh brings more than 30 years of public service — from wildland firefighting and Forest Service work to education and operating a family farm.

“I’ll work to unite, not divide, and deliver common-sense solutions that strengthen our communities,” Marsh said. His priorities include protecting public lands, supporting farms and small businesses, defending public schools, ensuring accessible government, and promoting respect and civility in public life. Marsh and his wife Erika operate Daisy’s Farm near Bellevue.

More information: KevinMarshforIdaho.com

Ron Taylor, Candidate for State Senator, District 26

Retired firefighter and paramedic Ron Taylor has represented District 26 in the Idaho Senate since 2022. A Wood River Valley resident since 1982, Taylor previously served twenty-seven years as a firefighter and paramedic with the Wood River Fire & Rescue and Ketchum Fire Department.

In the Senate, he has focused on strengthening education, protecting public lands and water resources, supporting rural economic stability, and defending individual freedoms. He serves on the Senate committees for Agricultural Affairs, Local Government & Taxation, and Resources & Environment.

“Protecting what makes our communities strong — from our public schools to our public lands — is essential to our future,” Taylor said.

More information: www.rontaylorforsenate.com

A Unified Ticket for District 26

Janis, Marsh, and Taylor bring deep community roots, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to responsible leadership that reflects rural Idaho values. “We’re energized and ready to work,” Silver said. “District 26 deserves leaders who show up, listen, and serve.”

For more information or to get involved, contact SilverforIdaho@gmail.com.

DISTRICT 26 CANDIDATES - SEAT A

ANITA JANIS ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR

STATE REPRESENTATIVE - DISTRICT 26, SEAT A

Veteran Educator & Workforce Leader Pledges Practical Leadership for Rural & Tourism-Based Communities

Jerome resident Anita Janis announced her candidacy for Idaho State Representative in Legislative District 26, Seat A, representing Blaine, Lincoln, and Jerome counties. A lifelong educator and rural workforce leader, Janis said she is running to bring steady, practical leadership to Boise — leadership grounded in collaboration and firsthand understanding of ruralcommunities as well as agricultural, and tourism-based economies.

“I spent 14 years teaching English and adult education courses, helping working adults and first-generation students build the skills they needed for stable jobs. For nearly 15 years as a college dean, I’ve managed workforce training programs, overseen budgets, supported faculty and staff, and secured grant funding to expand career pathways,” Janis said. “My work has always focused on connecting education to real jobs by partnering with employers to make sure training reflects actual workforce needs.”

District 26 spans diverse communities — from agricultural producers in Jerome and Lincoln counties to the tourism-driven economy of Blaine County. Janis said that this diversity requires thoughtful, balanced representation.

“Our agricultural community feeds and fuels our state. Our tourism economy supports small businesses and working families across the region,” Janis said. “State policy must recognize that both sectors are essential — and that decisions made in Boise affect everything from water and infrastructure to workforce housing and healthcare access.”

Janis emphasized the importance of preserving Idaho’s public lands. “Public lands are part of our heritage and our economy,” she said. “They support ranching, recreation, tourism, and small businesses. We must protect access and preserve these lands for future generations.”

Janis’ campaign will focus on:

● Strong Schools & Workforce Development — supporting stable education funding and career pathways aligned with agriculture, healthcare, trades, small business, and recreation industries

● Rural Healthcare — protecting access to hospitals, clinics, and essential services

● Agriculture, Tourism & Small Business — promoting infrastructure investment, responsible land and water policy, and economic resilience

● Preserving Public Lands & Access — protecting working lands, recreation opportunities, and natural resources for future generations

● Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency — ensuring careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars

“I’m not running to be the loudest voice in the room,” Janis said. “I’m running to be an effective one —someone who understands how decisions ripple through our farms, small businesses, schools, public lands, and communities.”

Janis said her campaign will prioritize listening sessions across the district to ensure small business owners, farmers, ranchers, educators, healthcare providers, and working families help shape her legislative priorities. Where you live should never determine your opportunity,” Janis said. “From farm towns to mountain communities, Idaho families deserve excellent schools, accessible healthcare, economic stability, and a state government that listens. I will work every day to deliver practical results for District 26.

For more information or to get involved, contact: anitaforidaho@gmail.com.

* Janis currently serves as Chair of the Jerome County Democrats where she has organized voter registration efforts, coordinated grassroots outreach, and built partnerships across the MagicValley. She also serves as Secretary of the Idaho Democratic Party Rural Caucus, a statewide group working to strengthen rural advocacy and local organizing across Idaho.

DISTRICT 26 CANDIDATES - SEAT B

KEVIN MARSH ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE -

DISTRICT 26, SEAT B

Marsh Brings a Career of Public Service to the Idaho Statehouse

Bellevue area resident Kevin Marsh, a farmer, retired faculty member at Idaho State University, and dedicated community leader, today announced his candidacy for State Representative, serving District 26, Blaine, Lincoln, and Jerome Counties. Marsh is running to protect the values that make Idaho strong — from protecting our resilient public lands and productive farms to thriving schools and vibrant local communities. “I will deliver what our state needs today – politicians who work to unite, not divide, and together we will deliver common-sense solutions, not politics for individual gain,” Marsh said. “Residents of Blaine, Lincoln, and Jerome counties deserve leadership rooted in community, integrity, and respect for our shared values.”

Marsh’s commitment to community and public service is grounded in his work in Idaho over the past 30 years. Today, Marsh and his wife, Erika, live on and operate Bellevue-area Daisy’s Farm, growing produce for local markets. He has demonstrated commitment to public service, and he brings to the Idaho Statehouse experience as a wildland firefighter and Forest Service ranger prior to a career as one of the state’s leading historians of Idaho and a professor at ISU.

Kevin Marsh’s Focus to Make Our Lives Better: Protecting What Makes Idaho Strong. Serving as your State Representative, Kevin Marsh will focus on strengthening and protecting:

● Public Lands - safeguarding the natural resources that support jobs, recreation, irrigation, and Idaho’s way of life

● Working Farms & Small Businesses - promoting prosperous and resilient local economies, supporting small business owners who work hard to make all our lives better

● Public Schools & Teachers - defending quality education and educators, while investing funding needed in strong schools statewide

● Diverse, Hard-Working Communities - ensuring all Idahoans have a voice in state government through making himself accessible, responsive, and committed to a stronger Idaho

● Respect for Democracy & Civility - fostering a political environment of dignity and respect

Marsh points out that “A functional government focuses on real problems, offering practical solutions. Whether it is the cost of living, protection of our lands and much needed water supply – which is already predicted to be limited in the coming seasons—strong education, or reliable infrastructure, those are the real issues that I am committed to work on with both sides of the aisle.”

As your Idaho House Representative for District 26, Marsh is committed to leadership that reflects Idaho’s values. It will be clear to voters that Kevin Marsh is dedicated to community service, stewardship of land and water, and respect for diverse voices; all important factors to keep Idaho Strong.

For more information or to contact Kevin Marsh for Idaho Campaign: info@kevinmarshforidaho,com or email Kevin direct at:

kevin@kevinmarshforidaho.com | Website: KevinMarshforIdaho.com

A Message from our Local State Senator, Ron Taylor

"Things are heating up in committees and we are starting to see several pieces of legislation designed to curtail voting rights, restrict personal rights, remove rights from marginalized communities, fund private and religious schools while taking money from public schools and attacks on our healthcare system.
Entering week six of this legislative session I continue to focus my energy on positive, thoughtful issues that support freedom, family and ensuring a better future for our children. Preserving Medicaid expansion is critical to keeping healthcare accessible and affordable for all Idahoan’s, keeping our public lands public and protecting our water resources.”