Jeff Ehlers

Jeff Ehlers graduated from Shelley High School. Ehlers earned bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from Brigham Young University in 2008 and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Utah in 2013. His career experience includes working as a CFO, owning a business, co-founding Realize Consulting and Ivan Farm Technologies, and working as a corporate controller with RescueStat. Ehlers served as a chapter director of Startup Grind.[1][2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jeff Ehlers is a 6th generation Idaho. He grew up in Eastern Idaho working on a potato farm and also for his dad’s small business. Ehlers earned bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from Brigham Young University in 2008 and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Utah in 2013. He currently operates his own CFO firm as well as an ecommerce business. He and his wife, Karla, have 4 young children.

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?

Fiscal Responsibility. Taxes should be lower. I am passionate about finding ways to cut government spending and maximize efficiency to put more of your money back in your pocket.Constitutional Rights and Conservative Values. One of the things that makes Idaho so great is the conservative values we honor and defend. I believe in limited government that upholds the Constitution as it was

intended by its inspired Framers. I believe the government closest to the people is generally best.Education. As a father of four young children, I recognize the great responsibility we have to the rising generation in regards to education. I believe parents have a central role in their child’s education and public

policy & funding should reflect that. Parents should be empowered with not only a voice but the ability to influence how and where their children are educated. I don’t believe we need to choose between strong public schools and school choice – we can have both.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Taxes, Deregulation, Education, Preserving Idaho Values

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jeff Ehlers is a 6th generation Idaho. He grew up in Eastern Idaho working on a potato farm and also for his dad’s small business. Ehlers earned bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from Brigham Young University in 2008 and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Utah in 2013. He currently operates his own CFO & accounting firm. He and his wife, Karla, have 4 young children.

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?

Fiscal Responsibility. Taxes should be lower. I am passionate about finding ways to cut government spending and maximize efficiency to put more of your money back in your pocket.Constitutional Rights and Conservative Values. One of the things that makes Idaho so great is the conservative values we honor and defend. I believe in limited government that upholds the Constitution as it was intended by its inspired Framers. I believe the government closest to the people is generally best.Education. As a father of four young children, I recognize the great responsibility we have to the rising generation in regards to education. I believe parents have a central role in their child’s education and public policy & funding should reflect that. Parents should be empowered with not only a voice but the ability to influence how and where their children are educated. I don’t believe we need to choose between strong public schools and school choice – we can have both. Our education system is ripe for innovation and I will listen to parents, local leaders, and educators to find the best ways to help our children reach their full potential through educational opportunities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Tax, Budgets, Less Regulation on Business, Preserving Idaho values

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Free to Choose by Milton Friedman

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

Study the issues, listen to constituents, apply Constitutional principles and values

What is your favorite book? Why?

1776 by David McCullough. An important part of our nation's founding told in an incredible way.

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

Growth

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Very important and we need more of it.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As a 6th-generation Idahoan, my roots run deep in this great state. I grew up in Idaho working on a potato farm and also for my dad’s small business. After spending 2 years as a missionary for my church, I earned a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University – Provo. After working for a few years in Boise, I earned an MBA from the University of Utah, where I emphasized in entrepreneurship.

I’ve started, owned, operated and sold several of my own businesses. My work career has included a number of interesting positions, including CPA, CFO, and Consultant. Currently I am head of finance for a local small business.

Service has always been a part of my life, whether it be in church or the community. Within the Republican Party I’ve served as Precinct Committeeman for the past 4 years, 3rd Vice Chair of the Ada County Republicans for the last 2 years, as well as a Legislative District Vice-Chair.

Most importantly, I am a husband and father. I married my best friend. We love Meridian where we live with our 4 children.

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?

One of the things that makes Idaho so great is the conservative values we honor and defend. I believe in limited government that upholds the Constitution as it was intended by its inspired Framers. I hold great respect for our Constitution. Our rights are God-given. Many of them are enumerated in the Constitution. I believe in the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms, the right to life of the unborn, and the right to religious freedom. I will work passionately to protect our rights.I have spent my professional career in the business field, helping businesses of all sizes and have started and sold several of my own. Currently I am the Controller for a local small business. I know what it is like to feel the burden of government on the back of small business and I am committed to protecting our economic freedom. I have a proven record of managing finances and budgets effectively in the private sector as a Controller and Chief Financial Officer. Analyzing data and spotting inefficiencies is a passion and strength of mine and I look forward to bringing that expertise to the State Legislature to keep Idaho’s budget balanced and keep more of your money in your pocket.I have spent nearly 20 years working to elect conservative leaders and Republicans in Idaho. Most importantly, I have experience as an elected official myself. I’ve been an elected Republican Precinct Committeeman since 2018 and am currently Ada County GOP Vice-Chair over Finance. During my tenure we have raised close to $200,000 — the largest amount raised in Ada County GOP history. We’ve used that money to win races for conservative candidates all throughout Ada County to Keep Idaho Red! In this capacity I have also met with government officials at all levels to promote conservative values. I have a track record of working with other Republicans to solve problems, fight the liberal agenda and elect men and women who love liberty.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a father I recognize the great responsibility we have to our children in education. I believe parents have a central role in their child’s education and public policy should reflect that. Parents should be empowered with not only a voice but also the ability to influence how and where their children are educated. We can have strong public schools and provide parents options. In Idaho parents are empowered and students come first.

I believe strongly that the foundation of a good economy is a free market where business can thrive. I’ve experienced the burden government puts on small business firsthand and am committed to protecting our economic freedom. We must also ensure taxes are low and citizens are free, which leads to better economic opportunity. I have a proven record of managing finances and budgets in the private sector and I will work tirelessly to cut costs and keep your money in your pocket.

Our Idaho quality of life is exceptional - we must keep it that way. We can do more to ease and eliminate the pains associated with rapid growth. We must listen to not only stakeholders and businesses but also individual homeowners and families as we discuss the impact growth has on our community. I will also be vigilant to honor and defend the conservative values that make Idaho great. I believe in limited government that upholds the Constitution as it was intended by its inspired Framers. I am pro-life, pro-second amendment and pro-liberty.

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

Listening and working well with others

Making things better, spotting inefficiencies and finding solutions

Outstanding financial skills

Ability to quickly learn & comprehend a topic and articulate it to others

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

State Legislators are responsible for supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States as well as the Constitution of the State of Idaho. As a State Legislator, I will ask the following two questions of each piece of legislation I am asked to vote on: Is it Constitutional? And is this the proper role of government? These will be my guideposts.

State Legislators are also committed to listening to the people in their district and representing them effectively at the State House. This requires good communication skills and an ability to work with others. I have honed these skills both in my professional career and in my time serving in the Republican Party as a Vice Chair and Precinct Committeeman. I have a proven track record of leadership and solving problems and I look forward to putting these skills to work for you as your State Representative.

What is your favorite book? Why?

1776 by David McCullough. I love reading about the inspired patriots who founded our country and the role God played in it.