Farris to seek state House seat, as Bock retires and Burgoyne runs for Senate
Former Democratic 1st District congressional candidate Jimmy Farris announced today that he's running for a seat in the Idaho Legislature, seeking to fill House seat that will open when Rep. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, shifts to a run for the Senate as Sen. Les Bock, D-Boise, retires. “This district has had incredible representation over the years, and it’s important that we maintain that strong leadership with a representative who will continue to focus on the needs and interests of not only District 16, but the entire state of Idaho,” Farris said in a statement. Farris, a Lewiston native and former NFL football player, took 30.8 percent of the vote in his run against GOP Rep. Raul Labrador in 2012; it was his first run for office. Click below for his full announcement.
Burgoyne said he's planning a formal announcement of his Senate run early next week, but said, "It's not a secret."
For Immediate Release
Date: December 4, 2013
Farris announces candidacy for Idaho Legislature in 2014
MERIDIAN, Idaho—Former Idaho Congressional Candidate Jimmy Farris announced today that he will run for the Idaho House of Representatives in District 16 seat A.
Farris explained why he chose to run for the Idaho Legislature and what he hopes to accomplish in office. “This district has had incredible representation over the years, and it’s important that we maintain that strong leadership with a representative who will continue to focus on the needs and interests of not only District 16, but the entire state of Idaho,” said Farris. "The conservative leadership in this state over the past 20 years has led us to rank near the bottom of many important areas—areas like education, wages and median household income, and healthcare.
“We can’t continue down this path,” Farris continued. “We need strong voices in the Legislature who will work to address these and many other issues we face. I’m ready to make a difference in District 16 and in Idaho and that's why I'm running."
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Farris is an Idaho native who was born and raised in Lewiston. A graduate of Lewiston High School, Jimmy attended the University of Montana, earning a degree in Marketing and Management while having a standout football career with the Grizzlies. In spite of going undrafted by the NFL, after graduating, Farris signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Jimmy spent the next six seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver with the 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Redskins and New England Patriots, with whom he won the Super Bowl in 2002.
After a successful career in the NFL Jimmy transitioned into sports broadcasting, started the Jimmy Farris Future Leaders Foundation, and returned to his home in Idaho to be closer to his family and give back to the state that made it possible for him to pursue his dreams.
Jimmy is running for the Idaho Legislature because he believes this is a critical moment when we need leaders who can pull together the diverse group of representatives in the State House and work together to continue moving our state forward. Using his spirit of hard work, dedication and persistence, Jimmy will get things done for the people of Idaho and work to keep our state and country the best place for anyone to pursue and achieve their dreams.
