Dan Foreman

State Senator Legislative District 6

Biography & Background

I am a retired USAF Colonel, combat veteran and retired Idaho law enforcement officer. I am a prior Idaho State Senator and have 44 years of public service at the federal, state and local levels of government. I am a Christian Conservative Republican who stands for small, efficient, honest government. I will vote against all tax and fee increases and firmly guard our Constitutional Rights. I am very Pro-Life.

Top 3 Issues:

1. The top issue for Idaho is to abolish the unnecessary, harmful and wasteful curse of abortion. I will introduce legislation that eliminates the current affirmative defense for having an abortion in accordance with state guidelines. The only exception to the prohibition on abortion is to save the life of the mother.

2. I will call for an investigation into state actions taken during the pandemic in an effort to determine if the constitutional rights of the people were violated. This will likely be a joint Attorney General/legislative effort. My intent is to hold accountable those who may have violated the law.

3. My third effort will be to eliminate the sales tax on groceries. Idaho is one of a few states still taxing groceries – and at the full sales tax rate. This tax is unnecessary and hurts low and lower middle-income people. Idaho is better than this, and we must eliminate this tax in light of the existing budget surplus.

Latah county Legislator Questions

What are the top three issues you believe our legislative district faces?

1. We must ban abortions except to save the life of the mother.
2. We must hold state government accountable to function within the limits of the state and federal constitutions.
3. We must demand an accounting of state government actions during the pandemic in order to determine if the constitutional rights of the people were violated.

Describe two examples of state government overreach. What are your ideas to address these?

The Governor failed to reconvene the state legislature after declaring a state of extreme emergency. This was in direct violation of the state constitution that states the Governor must reconvene the legislature. This failure to reconvene the legislature was an example of government overreach. The Executive branch of government essentially precluded the legislative branch from representing the will of the people during the emergency. The Governor is limited by the state constitution to one extension of the state of emergency. The Governor has extended the state of emergency multiple times in direct contravention of the state constitution. This is another example of government overreach. The people of Idaho expect the government to follow the highest law of the land – the state constitution. These examples of government overreach must be addressed through an extensive legislative/ Attorney General investigation into the conduct of state government during the pandemic. We must hold government accountable before moving on. investigation

There’s an expectation that candidates must explain which potential laws they will promote if elected. Let’s flip that around and ask, “What existing law will you seek to repeal and why?”

I will seek to repeal that part of Title 18, Idaho Code, that grants an affirmative defense to a person having an abortion if that person follows state guidelines for an abortion. Idaho Code already treats abortion as a criminal act, however the affirmative defense must be removed. Abortions are cruel, immoral, needless and wasteful of human life. All life is precious, and we must stop abortions except to save the life of the mother.

A famous chant of Democrats since the 1980s is “You can’t legislate morality.” Should morality and virtue be considerations in public policy? If not, why not? If so, what standard will you use to decide what is moral? Can the “the will of the public” be wrong? If not, why not? If so, please describe your leadership role relative to public policy making when the public will is wrong.

My guides for public policy making are the U.S. and State Constitutions and the Christian Bible. Yes, morality should be considered when making law. Our nation was founded on Judeo/Christian principles of morality and justice. There is a common thread of morality, truth and justice that runs through all major religions. The moral definition of right versus wrong is the foundation of our court system and rule of law. Our nation’s respect and acknowledgement of a Supreme Being and His Law has been the single most defining aspect of, and the factor supporting, American achievement and success. America is predominantly a Christian nation – not to the exclusion of any other faith or belief, but for the sake of national moral clarity. There never was, and there never will be, a separation of church and state. And yes, the will of the people must be factored into law making. But ascertaining the will of the people is always difficult and an imprecise venture. Legislators must center their law-making efforts around constitutional and moral principles even if various sectors of the public seem to demand immoral and/or unconstitutional approaches to law making.

Substantial portions of Idaho wilderness are controlled and managed by the federal government. What is your viewpoint on this land management issue?

The federal government should relinquish control over all Idaho wilderness land it currently manages. Idaho’s land belongs to Idahoans, and as such should be managed by Idahoans. The wilderness lands managed by the federal government show a net loss per acre each year. The wilderness lands managed by Idaho show a net profit each year. Some Idahoans fear the state government will sell off much of our wilderness lands if the federal government relinquishes control. I have this same concern. I will push for state legislation to protect all the wilderness lands and prevent the sale of such lands. The people of Idaho can best manage wilderness lands withing the state. However, the preservation of those lands for future generations must be protected by strong state laws.

Please provide an example of an emerging public health phenomenon that you think warrants further research and investigation.

The emergence of the Covid virus warrants further research and investigation. Americans deserve to know the origin of this virus. We have all been affected in some negative way by the emergence of this strange disease. The guidance from the FDA, CDC and WHO has been conflicting and confusing. This inconsistent guidance has left most people confused and fearful. We need and deserve answers as to the origin, nature and mortality rate of this strange virus. People have been coerced into taking vaccinations of questionable safety and efficacy. We all want, need and deserve real answers to the serious questions raised by the Covid virus.

As Idahoans seek to be open minded and supportive, there is a visible struggle against women’s rights in sports as biological males use medical interventions to alter aspects of their biological gender. Additionally male and female adolescents are encouraged to make irreversible and devastating changes to their bodies. From your perspective, what challenge does Idaho face and are there any steps you want to take in response?

Idaho must pass legislation protecting young people from being coerced or pressured in any way to undergo gender changing treatments. The existence of two genders is a biological fact we must acknowledge – modern day politically correct rhetoric notwithstanding. Our state legislature must produce morally sound codified bans on gender altering procedures for citizens under the age of 18. And we must enact laws prohibiting biological males from participating in women’s sporting events. This approach is not only based on common sense, but is also rooted in fairness and concern for the future of our young people.

If elected to the house/senate, you will be only one of 70/35 votes. Please describe the leadership you will provide to build coalitions to get things done.

I am a trained leader. And I have over 44 years of public service at all three levels of government. I am a retired USAF Colonel, aviator and combat veteran. I am also a retired Idaho Law Enforcement Officer. I know how to lead and achieve goals. I will provide the vocal and visible conservative, constitutionally oriented leadership our senate is lacking. I know how to rally those senators afraid to stand up and vote like true conservatives. I also have numerous solid relationships with the conservative members of the House of Representatives. Together we can start to restore state government that respects the state constitutions and abides by them. I have the experience, guts and leadership skills to start reviving our lack luster senate. I am not afraid to take charge, speak the truth and stand up for the constitutional rights of Idahoans. My extensive work experience has given me the correct skills for this job, and I’m not afraid to use them.

There are both Leftwing and Rightwing extremist organizations which strive to influence the making of Idaho laws. Please explain your approach to navigating these influences.

I will listen to any good faith input from those wishing to influence the content and structure of Idaho’s laws. I welcome input, as it greatly helps in the requisite decision making involved in creating good and just laws. However, I will use my own moral compass and understanding of our federal and state constitutions as my guidelines for law making. The word ‘extremist’ is overused as a tool of political persuasion. One person’s idea of extreme might very well be another’s idea of normalcy. The bottom line is I will listen to all, but be persuaded by none until I have screened any proposal or idea through my moral and constitutional filters.

What are key differences between you and your Republican Party opponent(s)?

The differences between myself and my Republican opponents is I have over four decades of public service – including prior service as a state senator. And I am not afraid to speak the truth regardless of whether it costs me votes. I am not a RINO, liberal or a politician. I am a statesman – meaning I will keep my promises. And I will tell you the truth whether you like it or not. I’m running for office out of a sense of obligation to use my skills to revive a lethargic, politically correct senate that does not well represent the people of Idaho. I intend to make waves on the political pond for the sake of our collective future in the great State of Idaho..

Latah County General Questions

Latah County Oath of Office

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Idaho, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of (insert office) according to the best of my ability.”

Freedom: Explain your position on First Amendment rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. Do you think these rights have eroded?

The First Amendment Right of Free Speech is a God-Given Right. It is not a privilege handed out by government. I do feel the right of free speech has eroded over time. Political correctness has created a feeling of intimidation with respect to free speech. Many people are scared to speak the truth for fear of being called one of the many names conjured up by the left-wing activists. Our school children and university students are taught to go with group think rather than speak up and voice their true opinions. And this fear of being called out as being politically incorrect carries over into state government and elected officials. I believe the best cure for this situation is for all of us to openly speak our true thoughts. The right to do so is an American birthright. I intend to continue my efforts to speak up and be heard. I don’t seek total agreement with what I say. But I do demand the right to be heard. and I will set an example of standing up for free speech in my role as state senator.

Race-Based Politics: Martin Luther King famously stated, “I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Also, the Preamble to the Idaho Republican Platform states, “We believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.” What is your perspective on race or sex-based politics?

Race and sex-based politics is unconstitutional, unnecessary, hurtful and forces us to pay a severe opportunity cost – in the sense many talented people are underutilized in our society because of hateful discrimination. America is the strongest nation on Earth, because we are made up of everyone from everywhere. That fact underlies our strength and ability to accel at all we do as a nation. It is time to embrace our unique strength instead of being afraid to fully utilize it. Enough said.

Illegal Immigration: Over two million immigrants have crossed U.S borders in the last 15 months accompanied with human trafficking, drug trafficking, violent criminals, and potential terrorists that Americans are paying for financially and in other ways. What are your thoughts on local impacts resulting from illegal immigration?

The local impact of illegal immigration are higher taxes to pay for accelerated social spending, increasing crime rates and drug problems, jobs losses for American citizens and an increasing burden on our public schools and social services. Legal immigration is the life blood of our nation. Most of us would not be Americans if it were not for legal immigration. However, illegal immigration is unnecessary and costly in the many ways I have indicated. We must control our national borders and preserve our sovereign right to know who is entering America – and for what reasons. We can humanely accomplish this with proper legislation and good law enforcement. The illegal immigration problem is solvable. It is time we get started, and the first step is to eliminate the political hysterics surrounding corrective measures to illegal immigration.

Limited Government: Describe your policy position on taxation, spending, and budgeting relative to state or local government?

State (all) government is a necessary evil in a sense. It is costly and tends to expand and grow in an unrelenting effort to justify its existence and increase its control over the people. The Founding Fathers warned us of this. The U.S. and state constitutions are limiting documents in the sense they restrict the powers of government. State government should set tax rates to support only the bare essential form and amount of government needed to carry out its constitutional functions. State budgeting should support two essential goals: First, the government must be fiscally sound and able to carry out its core functions. Secondly, budgeting must reasonably provide for funds necessary to respond to unforeseen fiscal emergencies. State budgeting should not be used to grow government, provide unnecessary goods or services, supply welfare or overregulate the private sector.

Problem Solving: Describe two difficult interactions you have experienced and how you contributed to a resolution?

I advocated for the right to life while in the state senate. I had to contend with hostile and antagonistic media coverage as I advanced my pro-life initiative. I dealt with this potentially explosive situation by being consistent and clear in my message. I countered hostile criticism of my efforts by sticking to the facts, eliminating unwanted emotion from my delivery and ignoring the political consequences of dealing with a contentious issue. I have also dealt with numerous volatile interpersonal situations as a law enforcement officer. These events often centered around domestic disputes and involved bringing order, safety and reason to chaotic and potentially dangerous involvements. I used the truth, a calm but authoritative delivery and human understanding to resolve these challenges.

Republicanism: Do you subscribe to the Idaho Republican Party Platform? Describe any exceptions.

I do subscribe to the Republican Party Platform with no exceptions.

Governance: The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” How will this declaration influence you in administering your office, if elected?

The guidelines for the way I will conduct my senate office are the federal and state constitutions and my developed sense of morality. The Bill of Rights clearly defines many of our God-given rights with respect to our interface with government. And both constitutions limit the power of government over the people. I believe in the Bill of Rights and in supporting and defending our God-given rights. I will accordingly conduct my office.

Integrity in Affiliation

Submission: Yes

“I have read the Idaho Constitution and the Idaho Republican Party Platform. I support the Idaho Republican Platform and accept it as the standard by which my performance as a candidate and as an officeholder should be evaluated. I certify that I am not a candidate, officer, delegate or position holder in any party other than the Republican Party.”