Cornel Rasor

Cornel Rasor was born in Jackson, California. He earned an undergraduate degree after studying at North Idaho College and the University of Idaho. His professional experience includes working as the manager of a retail Army surplus store in Sandpoint, Idaho. Rasor began serving as an elected precinct committeeman with the Bonner County Republican Central Committee in 1996. He served as the chair of the Bonner County Central Committee from 2008 to 2012, and he served as the state parliamentarian at conventions and meetings. He began serving as the Idaho Legislative District 7 chair in 2012. Rasor served as an elected county commissioner from 2009 to 2013, and he served as county commissioner chair from 2011 to 2012. Rasor has also served as an elder in his local church, and he is affiliated with the NRA.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Former County Commissioner, father, husband, grandfather. Constitutional conservative, dedicated to service of others for life, liberty and property as originally planned for public servants of this republic.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Strive to protect the individual inherent rights of all.Work for border security, state sovereignty, limited government and local control.Glad to communicate with constituents. Accessible and willing to listen

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Life, liberty and property. Maintain freedom and return government to it's original mandate of being a servant of the people.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Without trying to sound cliché, Jesus. I imperfectly try to follow His example. The why should be evident in the Scriptures.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

No desire to rule over others. Strict adherence to the oath of office. willingness to listen and always be truthful.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

No desire to rule over others, a willingness to listen and reconnect when I have answers.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Commitment to integrity, honesty and a desire to serve. Ability to research all aspects of issues and come to reasoned, moral and responsible conclusions.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I was useful in the service of others.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The JFK assassination-7

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I grew up on a cattle ranch, so my first job was feeding cattle/horses/pigs and putting a pay. My first paid job was in 1972 pumping gas at a local gas station in Sandpoint Idaho. That job lasted about a year.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Usually.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes. The need to understand differing views on proposed legislation and it's short and long term impacts are best developed through interaction with knowledgeable people/peers.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Past - Ron Paul. Present - Thomas Massie

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Unlikely

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

There are plenty of stories but I have not gained permission at this time to share any.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

The legislature should oversee those and only grant as absolutely necessary.

What committees interest you?

Local Government, Resources and Conservation

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Government and individuals in government must be transparent and accountable to the people who are sovereign.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Cornel served four years as a County Commissioner and this experience provides him with a unique understanding of responsibilities at the county level which will enhance his work at the state level. Cornel currently serves as the chairman of the Bonner County Natural Resources Committee which serves under the County Commissioners.

His experience as a local business owner of 39 years at the Army Surplus has provided him with the hands on knowledge of budgets, payroll and what the challenges are for local Idaho businesses.

Cornel Rasor has proven himself to be a staunch defender of individual property and Second Amendment rights and will continue to work to make sure these rights and all constitutional rights are maintained for the citizens of Idaho. Cornel grew up in Bonner County. He and his wife Kim Luckey Rasor have been married for 43 years and have three children and 16 grandchildren, all who reside in Idaho. They are past volunteers in the community for Life Choices Center.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Will defend the innocent unbornWill protect the right to keep and bear armsWill honor the constitutions of the US and of Idaho and will defend republican (small r) principles

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Pro-life

Property rights.

Second Amendment

True liberty

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

In this life, if I were to pick someone to look up to politically, it would probably be Ron Paul. He had a record of consistent fidelity to the Constitution of the United States.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Genuine honesty and a firm commitment to true constitutional principles. Elected official should also seek to represent the platform that they were elected to uphold.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

A willingness to work with others and seek advice. A desire to see citizens afforded the liberty they should have in a country such as the USA.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember when JFK was shot. I was seven years old at the time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Depends on what you mean. I grew up on a cattle ranch so my first job was feeding and milking cows. My first paying job was a gas jockey at a local gas station in 1972. I had it for a year.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

Ideally, the Senate should represent County interests and the House should represent the interests of the people at large. Both should have fidelity first to the Constitution of the United States and to the state constitution.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

In most cases it is beneficial, especially in the area of budgets. I have extensive experience dealing with large budgets.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Idaho will need to be proactive in maintaining a low regulatory business climate to attract business to the state. Education continues to be a priority as well.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

An ideal relationship would presume that both recognize their unique and separate responsibilities in upholding the constitutions of the state and of the federal government.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes I do. It is important to know who allies are and what can be done to encourage them as well as elicit their help.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

The Liberty Caucus.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

That would remain to be seen after I have been in office for a short time.