CdA Democrats name new Goedde challenger

Coeur d’Alene Democrats have found a new candidate to challenge Republican Sen. John Goedde.

Steven Foxx was nominated Wednesday by District 4 Democrats. Foxx, who unsuccessfully ran for the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 2005, will replace candidate Jerry Lee on the November ballot.

There’s also a new Democratic candidate in the District 2 House race after Rand Lewis was disqualified by the Idaho secretary of state because he didn’t meet voter registration requirements.

Goedde openly warned the state teachers union about the consequences of running a teacher and union member against him. Lee, a Post Falls High School teacher and union member, dropped out of the race but said it wasn’t because of the pressure Goedde put on the Idaho Education Association. He said he lacked organization and would rather seek election in two years.

Lee’s decision came after Goedde warned the IEA about an election battle between schoolteachers and Goedde, chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

As committee chairman, Goedde has power over which education bills live or die. He said that could have severely hurt any education policy the union tries to push.

Lee’s withdrawal forced Democrats in District 4, which includes most of Coeur d’Alene, to nominate a new candidate.

Foxx, 28, is a social worker and a Lake City High School graduate. He returned to Coeur d’Alene two years ago after getting a degree in social work and traveling South America doing human rights work.

Foxx wasn’t available for comment Thursday. In his race against Councilman Woody McEvers, Foxx said his youth was an asset because the council is composed of retired or near-retirement-age business people and needs a young intellectual for balance.

His top issues were improving the city’s recycling program and making sure Coeur d’Alene is managing growth to promote neighborhoods and quality of life. He also wanted to increase local government access and credibility.

Constitution Party candidate Ray Writz and Independent candidate Jeremy Boggess also are challenging Goedde, a Coeur d’Alene insurance agent who is seeking a fourth term.

In District 2, which includes portions of Bonner and Shoshone counties, Democrat Richard Taniguchi, of St. Maries, will replace Lewis.

A Secretary of State’s Office spokeswoman said Lewis was disqualified because he hadn’t been a registered voter in the district for at least one year, which is state law.

Lewis, the former director of the Martin Institute at the University of Idaho, planned to run for the 1st District congressional seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Butch Otter. But he bowed out a week after indicating his intention to run. Then he filed to challenge Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries.

After his disqualification, Democrats in District 2 nominated Taniguchi.