Jimmy Halliburton announces campaign for Boise City Council

Boise City Councilman Jimmy Halliburton plans to run for re-election in November in what will be a competitive race in the city’s first election with only geographic districts.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to represent our wonderful neighbors and neighborhoods in District 6,” she said in an emailed statement. “I am committed to addressing the unique needs and challenges of my diverse district and ensuring that every decision I make serves the best interests of all Boiseans.”

In 2020, the Legislature passed a law requiring Boise to elect council members by geographic district rather than citywide seats.

In 2021, as part of the transition, the council hired a consultant to draw legislative districts, and three members were elected to two-year terms this way: Lisa Sanchez, re-elected to represent an inclusive North district; Lucy Willits, elected in West Boise; and Holly Woodings, who were once again selected to represent the Eastern Boys. Hallyburton’s seat was not on the ballot that year and remained at large.

Last year, the council created a commission to redraw the boundaries once again, and this year all six members will be nominated in the same district, three for regular terms and two for two-year terms. The new map means that incumbent presidents can face each other.

Halliburton, who is running to represent District 6, shares a district with Councilman Patrick Bagent, who has yet to announce his plans. And Lisa Sanchez, who inadvertently lost her seat last month when she moved out of her current district, also said she plans to run in District 6.

District 6 covers North and Northwest Boise, but its boundaries differ slightly from District 3, where Sanchez was elected in 2021.

In a text, Bageant told the Idaho Statesman that he and his wife are “assessing the needs of our family and weighing what’s best” and that they will make a decision soon.

In an email, Halliburton said he had “no choice” but to fight his colleagues.

“Lisa is one of the people who originally encouraged me to run, I’ve supported her in past campaigns and Patrick and I have developed a real working relationship,” he said. “If I had the chance, I wouldn’t fight one of them.

“It’s going to be tough and neighbors really need to evaluate who has served them best over the past few years and who they trust to work with going forward. Our city is facing some serious obstacles and we need to work together to overcome them.” We need to work, so I take this trust and commitment really seriously.”

Halliburton’s announcement comes as the board faces significant turnover. Elaine Clegg, former council president and longtime member, has announced she plans to step down in the next few months to become CEO of the Valley Regional Transit Fund.

And with Sanchez’s seat vacant, Mayor Lauren McLean is accepting applications to fill two seats with appointments for the remainder of the year. McLean himself is up for re-election in November.

Willits previously told the Statesman that he was running again. Woodings has not yet announced whether she will seek re-election.

Advantages of Hallyburton

While he said he won’t be campaigning for the next several months, Halliburton’s campaign website says that if elected to a second term, he will focus on “grassroots community engagement and efforts to build a clean, connected and accessible Boise for all.” will be obliged. »

Halliburton, 40, was first elected to the council in 2019.

In an emailed news release, Halliburton touted his work on the city’s plan to add 112 miles of bike and pedestrian paths, push the city to plant more trees for pollinators, build new parks and make 8th Street permanent. The city center is a pedestrian-only street.

Last month, his colleagues on the board elected him to serve as the board’s vice president and liaison to Valley Regional Transit. Woodings was elected chairman of the council.

In 2007, Hallyburton created the Boise Bicycle Project non-profit cycling advocacy and community organization. He is a former firefighter with the US Forest Service.

This year’s council elections will be held on November 7.

This story was originally published February 3, 2023 14:57.