A Call for Accountability
When we elect a state legislator to represent us in Boise, we’re choosing a representative to cast a thoughtful vote that serves the needs of our district. We can’t afford a representative to miss key votes that matter to our community.
Last year, Julianne Young skipped two important votes. With no explanation, she missed the vote that secured critical funding for water infrastructure. She also missed a vote to support funding for the Idaho State Police that secured training for ISP Troopers. This training included improved methods for dealing with drug trafficking in our state. Why would she miss those votes?
Her voting record outside the legislature deserves a closer look, too. During the 2024 Republican Presidential Caucus, she showed up at my caucus site in Shelley. Why didn’t she attend her own caucus site of Blackfoot? How could she have voted for the Presidential Nominee if she was at the wrong caucus site?
On Saturday, I joined many other dedicated Idahoans in braving the blizzards of Eastern Idaho to participate in the caucus at our assigned location. Julianne Young made a different decision. She chose to come to the caucus site in Shelley. It meant she gave up her right to vote in favor of campaigning.
We need legislators who understand the value of their vote. How many hundreds of thousands of our brave men and women have died protecting our right to vote?
From the House floor to our local elections, we need individuals committed to showing up when the job requires it. As Thomas Jefferson said,
“We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.”
Julianne Young showed us that we can’t count on her to use the vote that comes with elected office to serve our district. Skipping an opportunity to vote locally suggests a willingness to put politics before citizenship.
District 30 needs legislators prepared to stand up for our district and cast the votes that matter for our community. In this case, Young’s actions make it clear that she doesn’t share that priority.
- Ben Fuhriman
