Karen Matthee

Karen Matthee was born in Redwood City, California. She earned a high school diploma from Prospect High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1981, and a graduate degree from Northwestern University in 1983. Her career experience includes working as an author and print journalist. She has been affiliated with both Rotary and the Better Together Animal Alliance organizations.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a former long-time journalist and communications director for an NGO that served landmine survivors in Southeast Asia and Afghanistan. I am running because I believe the state is failing Idaho families. It allocated $0 for affordable housing, $0 for childcare, offers only sporadic solutions for escalating property taxes, and fails again and again to properly fund our public schools.

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?

Bring back our doctors! We have lost more than a quarter of our ob/gyns, more than half of our maternal-fetal specialists, and now 59% of our family practitioners are leaving or thinking about leaving Idaho. Last session, the GOP majority did NOTHING to stop the doctor exodus. Despite please from provider groups, the ACLU and others, they did nothing to fix language in the state's extreme abortion ban and create an exception to protect the health of a mother, as well as her life, in a medical emergency. In fact, the GOP - my opponent Mark Sauter included - passed three more bills that criminalize doctors for providing the best standard of care. This is unacceptable.For years, the GOP-led Idaho legislature has failed to properly fund the state's public schools, despite a clear directive from the state supreme court. Our schools remain the worst-funded in the country, and this fall, a number of schools closed throught the state due to budget shortfalls and failed levies.

My opponent holds up the Idaho Launch Program which subsidizes career education after high school as a big win for education this past session. And while, it is an excellent program, it is about all the state does to fund higher education.

Additionally, the governor's $1.5 billion facilities bill did little to help North Idaho schools. We can do so much better!Reduce the cost of living: Property taxes continue to soar in our North Idaho communities, and families who've lived in their homes their entire adult lives are having to sell because they can't afford the property taxes.

The GOP's solutions thus far have been piecemeal at best, and voters tell me they want a long-term fix. I believe a return to the index to the homeowners exemption, stopped and capped in 2016, would allow exemptions to increase gradually along with home prices, equalize the tax burden between commercial and homeowner properties, and give homeowners the relief they seek. Rep. Bruce Skaug introduced such a bill but did not get the GOP support he needed for it to advance. I would support this bill.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I have door knocked to more than 1,500 voters, mostly unaffiliated and Republican, in my district. The issue that surfaces most often is the loss of our doctors. In Bonner County, we have lost labor and delivery, all of our ob/gyns and our maternal-fetal specialists. GOP lawmakers - including my opponent - have expressed little interest in correcting this situation. Just last week I spoke to two new moms who had to commute 45 miles to Coeru d'Alene several times during their pregnancies and pay for a hotel room before delivery. This is unacceptable.

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

Idaho Sen. Melissa Wintrow. She is a very intelligent, eloquent and fair-minded individual who has mastered the art of working across the aisle to pass legislation that benefits the majority of her constituents - even if it takes multiple sessions to get it done! She is respected by both Republicans and Democrats.

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

I like Dirt Road Revival by Chloe Maxmin and Canyon Woodward. These authors saw how the Democratic Party has focused for too long on the interests of elite leaders and big donors, forcing the party to abandon the concerns of rural America—jeopardizing climate justice, racial equity, economic justice, and more. Dirt Road Revival looks at how we got here and lays out a road map for progressive campaigns in rural America to build an inclusive, robust, grassroots politics that fights for equity and justice across our country.

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

Honesty, integrity and the willingnes to listen to all constituents, no matter what political party they allign with.

As a journalist, I strongly believe in doing my homework, which includes reaching out to voters and seeing where they stand on key issues affecting our state.

Idaho's GOP lawmakers are trigger happy. Many of the bills they propose are short-sighted and fail to consider their far-reaching effects on the majority of constituents. Examples are the near-total abortion ban and three other pieces of legislation passed by Republicans - my opponent Mark Sauter included - that criminalize doctors.

Additionally, as a Democrat I do not have to sign a party loyalty oath or succumb to the bullying tactics of the extremist group, the Idaho Freedom Foundation. My opponent, however, has voted with them about 50% of the time according to the IFF scorecard it keeps on him and other Republican lawmakers.

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

I believe I also am intelligent and fair-minded with an ability to work well with most people, even those who don't always agree with me. I'm also a hard worker who uderstands the importance of thoroughly researching issues from all points of view and making sure that she reaches out to a broad spectrum of constituents about where they stand o these issues.

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

To represent the majority of Idahoans as much as I can. This means working across the aisle in search of solutions that benefit the many, rather than the few.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to have earned the respect of both Democrats and Republicans and to have made positive impacts on issues such as health care, child care and funding our public schools here in Idaho.

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

The shooting of President John F Kennedy. I was 7 years old.

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

I worked in food service from the time I was 13 until I was in my earlyt twenties and in college.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott because it taught me at a young age about the strength and resilience of women. It showed me that I could overcome obstacles and achieve whatever I wanted to.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Jo March in Little Women

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Better Days by the Goo Goo Dolls

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I wouldn't call it a struggle. Perhaps it's a blessing that I've had to work hard for everything I achieved. I not come from a wealthy family; in fact I was the first person to go to college in my immediate family. And I worked from the time I was 13 until just recently. Although, running for office is a real full-time job!

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

Governors often use State of the State messages to outline their legislative platforms, and many Governors prepare specific legislative proposals to be introduced on their behalf. In addition, state departments and agencies may pursue legislative initiatives with gubernatorial approval. Executive branch officials often are called to testify on legislative proposals, and Governors and other executive branch leaders will seek to mobilize public opinion and interest groups in favor of or opposition to specific legislative proposals.

Every legislative bill that is passed by the state legislative body is presented to the Governor for signing. State laws prescribe how much time the Governor is allotted to sign or veto proposed legislation following transmittal. Legislation may go into effect without the Governor’s signature after a statutorily mandated time has elapsed. Different rules may apply depending on whether the state is in a regular legislative session, post legislative-adjournment, or if the state is in special session.

Governors may use their role as party leaders to encourage support for legislative initiatives, and along with department heads and staff, may seek to influence the progress of legislation through regular meetings with legislators, legislative officials, and other stakeholders.

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

Getting GOP lawmakers to understand that funding affordable housing, child care, health care and other institutions that support working families are essential to a healthy state economy. These are not welfare issues; these are economic issues.

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

It helps, but is not necessary.

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

Of course. It is especially important to be willing and able to work across the aisle if we're to move the needle at all. I would come with a desire to collaborate with my Republican collegues and dispel the "us vs. them" mentality that currently prevails.

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

Lauren Nicochea and Melissa Wintrow

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

No

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?

The story of a young woman who was turned away from an Idaho hospital while having an miscarriage because the hospital feared a potential lawsuit due to the vague language in the state's extreme abortion ban. Her miscarriage lasted 19 days and she suffered numerous ongoing health issues as a result.

Tell us your favorite joke.

It's sad, but I can never remember jokes.

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

In an emergency

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

A bill to create an exception to the abortion ban that protects her health and fertility, as well as her life.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Her Bold Move. Candidates for Common Good. Local medical providers, as well as local city leaders and educators.

What committees interest you?

Education, Health and Welfare, Resources and Conservation

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I strongly believe in both, which is why I support congressional term limits.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

I would clear some of the legislative hurdles required for an initiative to make it on to the ballot.