Ben is a native, long standing resident of Idaho raised by a School Teacher mom and a Physical Therapist dad. He had simple beginnings, growing up mostly in apartments and mobile homes. Some of his best memories are fly fishing the great Coeur d’ Alene and St Joe Rivers with his father, playing football and basketball for the Lake City Timberwolves, and participating in student government at North Idaho College as Senator, Vice President, and President.

During his time at NIC, Ben found his two great passions: Political Science and his beautiful wife Elisha, marrying a day before graduating with an Associate of Arts Degree. He went on to earn a degree in International Business from prestigious Gonzaga University while at the same time starting a family with the birth of his first daughter. While attending Gonzaga, he was greatly impacted by statistics indicating that a family of 3 was in poverty if they made under a certain household income – Ben and his wife were surprised to find that, according to the sign, they were deep in poverty while they felt they were living a good albeit frugal life together! Ben is convinced that poverty is a mindset and must be battled as such.

Almost immediately after graduating from GU they bought their first home downtown CdA when Ben was 25 and Elisha was 23. Owning their own home was important to them and they put down roots in the area developing a close network of friends through church and community activities.

After college Ben helped his in-laws launch and grow a developer & manufacturer of specialty construction tools for 17 years, first as VP and later as President/CEO. The company sold products around the world and won numerous awards for innovation, exporting and product excellence. The company mission was to “”Continually Improve the lives and livelihoods of Tradesmen across the globe by providing cutting edge solutions.”” which no doubt was accomplished. They sold the company in 2019 to a like-minded tool company that has carried on the legacy.

While growing the family business the Toews also grew their family to 5 children who are now ages 7-22 all of whom have been homeschooled over the years. Ben has been honored and blessed to be a part of his childrens’ education by helping start a homeschool co-op where he taught economics, government and leadership classes to high school age students and by coaching his children’s debate club over the years. One of his greatest joys is being able to be a part of his children’s growing and learning.

Ben’s intention is to Raise the Standard that was paid for by others who pledged their life and sacred honor, so we could enjoy the fruit of Liberty. I’ll be a driving force in building a stronger, more conservative Senate with leadership that is proactive in standing against federal overreach, tyranny at all levels and against the insidious elements that are eroding away at the foundations of our great state.