In Favor of Lee Heider, but Holding Our Breath.

In speaking with people from all over the state, one of the first questions I get is: "Who do you have running against Charles Coiner?" Of course if you have your eyes open at all in Twin Falls, you'd know that Lee Heider is running for Coiner's District 24 Senate seat.

Those true conservatives who follow Charles Coiner's voting record, know that he has an abominable record. See here: http://idahoconservative.us/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/senatetable2010.htm

Coiner has the lowest "conservative" voting record of ANY Republican in the 2010 Legislature (25% Conservative, with a Career average of 31%).  Coiner votes like a Statist, and yet the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee has been mum on his record and there have been no apparent criticism of his voting against the Republican Platform at the monthly meetings.

So, the Restoration would gladly support a true "Conservative" candidate to challenge Coiner's position, to the celebration of many in District 24 and throughout the state.

Current candidate for Twin Falls County Commissioner, Roger Ursenbach had expressed his intention to run against Coiner early on before the filing.  Roger had been an outspoken critic of the proposed Twin Falls City smoking ban and his dedication to the local patriot movement, T.E.A.R.S. of the Patriots, made him an ideal candidate who espoused true conservative values, more closely representing Twin Falls County voters.

Enter, Lee Heider.  Lee Heider is the current Vice Mayor of Twin Falls City, the key proponent of the previously mentioned Twin Falls City Smoking Ban and the only Republican contender running against Charles Coiner for District 24 Senate (Roger Ursenbach pulled out to run for Twin Falls County Commissioner).

Lee Heider made waves in February by proposing a city-wide smoking ban in all Twin Falls businesses (the remaining 6 or so that still do). In fact Lee was the only council member who voted for that ban.

MOTION:
Councilperson Clow made the motion to adopt Ordinance #2983 as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilperson
Clow. Roll call vote showed Vice Mayor Heider in favor of the request. Councilpersons Clow, Craig, Mayor Hall,
Councilpersons Johnson, Kezele, and Lanting voted against the request. Failed 1 to 6.

There is a happy ending: Property rights and free enterprise values were upheld in Twin Falls, albeit no thanks to Lee. Within a few weeks, Lee makes the front page of the Times News announcing his run for Coiner's Senate seat. Talk about a bad taste in your mouth! 

The story continues with many people talking with Lee until he is blue in the face about how smoking bans are not a "conservative" position (see #5 and the allocated rating), do not uphold the Republican Platform in regards to "governing least", the free enterprise plank nor uphold private property rights, and Lee still does not "get it".  

But that is all water under the bridge now.  Coiner needs to go, and Lee is the only "Republican" that is in the race. Heider claims to be a "conservative" and those in the community who apparently know him, will confirm that Lee is conservative in nature and will be a stark contrast to Coiner.

However, should Lee Heider win the race against Coiner for Senate, we'll need a strong Central Committee to hold him accountable to his votes against the Platform.  It would be disastrous to get Lee elected only for him to turn around and cram in a State-wide smoking ban.  A strong Committee can prevent that from happening.

You can elect a strong Central Committee by calling 944-3305 and leaving a message.  A package will be delivered to your home with information about the leading Republican Candidate in your precinct.  With winning the Central Committee and thus a Conservative Restoration for the Twin Falls Republican Party, we will help direct our Representatives on how to vote with the Party Platform (something that is obviously not being done now with the current rank-and-file establishment leaders).

Lee Heider has been very supportive of our other candidates: Chick Heileson, Rusty Satterwhite and Roger Ursenbach.  To that, we owe him credit for supporting a strong Constitutional Republican slate, and to that, with a deep breath of air not yet regulated by our local or state government, we support Lee Heider.