Dan Foreman

Married to Maria Foreman for fifty years, the state senator has seven children and has lived in the Viola area for twenty-four years. An honors graduate with a BS in Business Management and Administration from Bradley University, he also completed extensive military training, culminating in his retirement as a USAF Colonel and aviator. His diverse career includes roles as a commercial pilot, real estate broker, insurance agent, and law enforcement officer. A registered Republican since 1976, he is currently serving his second term as Idaho State Senator for District Six, where he holds leadership positions on several committees. A staunch Christian conservative, he is committed to pro-life advocacy and has authored significant legislation including the Idaho Free Market Insurance Act and laws addressing sanctuary cities, gender operations on minors, and fentanyl trafficking.

Candidate Questions

What are your top issues?

1. Pro-Life. I support upholding the constitutional rights of all citizens, including the innocent unborn from conception on. I will continue to work to close the loopholes in Idaho code for abortions with respect to rape and incest
2. COVID. I will continue to demand an investigation into the Idaho state government’s actions during the Covid situation with an emphasis on whether our constitutional rights or Idaho code were violated
3. Medical Patient Bill of Rights. I will continue to work toward the codification of a Medical Bill of Rights thereby establishing protections and expected safeguards for Idahoans as they access the medical system.
4. Second Amendment Rights. I will reintroduce my proposed legislation establishing existing Idaho state concealed carry laws as the definitive guidance on college campus concealed carry versus Board of Regents regulations.

What existing law will you seek to repeal and why?

I have sought for two legislative sessions to repeal Idaho Code 46-802, that prohibits members of organizations other than the National Guard, unorganized militia, or selected other groups from associating as a militia or parading in public with firearms. This 1927 vintage code directly violates the First and Second Amendments of the United States Constitution, as well as Article One, Sections Nine, Ten, and Eleven of the Constitution of the State of Idaho. Citizens have the God-given rights of Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Speech, and The Right to Keep and Bear Arms. I will continue to have Idaho Code 46-802 repealed.

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?

Yes, absolutely morality and virtue should be factors in the making of public policy. If we fail to use these factors as consideration in the making of public policy, then what factors should we use? Our laws historically have been, and should continue to be, based on our collective recognition and belief in America’s traditional sense of Judeo/Christian morality and ethical behavior. This conceptual approach excludes no one, welcomes everyone, but expects moral and ethical behavior of all citizens – as defined by the Christian Bible, the Constitution of the United States, and the laws that historically emanate from both. The question of how I will decide as to what is moral is easily answered – I won’t decide. In the strictest sense morality has already been defined through the application of the combined religious beliefs of all faiths. It would be my responsibility as a state Senator to make certain this collective body of moral knowledge and determination is applied in my deliberative process of drafting and voting on proposed legislation. This process must involve the solicitation of many differing viewpoints, as well as a keen understanding as to how proposed legislation may impact the God-given rights of the citizens of Idaho. Communication, solicitation of inputs from constituents, a profound respect for how legislation impacts constitutional rights, and a willingness to make a decision when it is time to decide are the key factors in the crafting of proper and valid legislation.

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.

I submit it is virtually impossible to know THE will of the public. It is of course vital to solicit inputs from constituents. Seeking input and advice from the field is absolutely essential to the maintenance of good and constitutionally correct governance. However, a legislator cannot expect to solicit the advice and concern of every citizen. We can, and should, seek to ascertain the will of the majority as best we can. But, even a majority consensus does not include and represent the entire will of the people. A constituency is made up of thousands of individuals, each with his/her own viewpoints and fiercely held beliefs on many topics and issues. So, can the will of the people be wrong? The answer is yes and no. Individuals can be correct or incorrect when their opinions and legislative desires are screened against an appropriate standard. I submit that standard should be the moral code generally accepted in the United States, as defined by the collective seminal teachings of our established religions. And the very important secondary measure of legislative appropriateness must be our federal and state constitutions, as these documents represent the highest law in the land and act to limit the power of government in an effort to preserve our God-given rights. My approach to law making with respect to the will of the people will embrace the concepts and governing factors mentioned.

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

The State of Idaho does a better job of managing forest land than does the federal government. State management of timber land consistently yields a net profit per acre. Federal management results in a net loss per acre. This is likely because federal government forest management is severely restricted and influenced by national environmental concerns and the ensuing politics. State management is less affected in this regard and benefits from management by those who live in Idaho versus management from afar by departmental bureaucrats. Idaho must continue to work with federal land management agencies in endeavors like the Good Neighbor Program which allows Idaho to manage some federal land for the betterment of our citizens.

Describe your approach to promoting appropriation transparency for the public.

The state of Idaho has now adopted a very transparent process for the presentation of budget information to the public. We have converted budgets from an all-inclusive format that combined the core maintenance requests of state agencies with their additional line item requests, to a separate format that breaks out base agency maintenance budgets from additional line item budget requests. This makes the budget information much easier to read and understand, as it no longer allows line item requests to be buried inside a maintenance budget. I strongly supported this effort even though some in government resisted this effort to make budgeting more transparent for the people of Idaho.

Describe the areas that state government has a responsibility to fund.

The state government only has a responsibility to fund those functions and services required by the state constitution – and nothing else. The state should not fund special carve-outs for select groups. And the state should not fund functions that are not necessary as per the constitution. The ends don’t always justify the means with respect to the spending of tax dollars. Many things could be considered of a good nature and beneficial to the citizens. However, the seminal question that must be addressed is whether or not the state has a constitutional mandate to conduct the spending. One example of constitutionally mandated spending is that done in support of our system of standard and free public schools.

Describe the relationship and tensions that exist between State, County and Local government.

The tensions between the various levels of government center on two issues – control and funding. I support local control on most issues – until local control gets out of control. At that point the state government has a moral, legal, and constitutional need to act. Control is also a factor when considering the federal government. The federal government funds just short of one-half of our state budget. And along with federal dollars come ‘strings.’ The federal money always comes with restrictions and mandates that tend to erode state sovereignty. We must resist taking federal monies that are not specifically owed to Idaho as per the federal constitution. The funding issues at the local level stem from inadequacies in state-wide funding distribution systems. A good example is the distribution of state dollars in support of public school building maintenance.

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

The right of freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion are all defined by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. These rights are part of the Bill of Rights. And yes, I think these rights have been eroded. Just look at the restrictions imposed by the state government during the pandemic. The state government closed our houses of worship, many of our businesses, and our schools. We were ordered to stay at home. Some Idahoans were arrested or cited for not wearing masks or for standing too close to one another. In some states citizens can be criminally cited for not using pronouns simply preferred by some. So, yes our First Amendment rights are eroding. And it is up to all of us to protest this and insist on legislation to reinforce our God-given rights, rather than hamper them.

What is your perspective on race or sex-based politics?

Our federal constitution and the constitution of the State of Idaho clearly state all citizens have the same God-given rights. I don’t know how that concept could be clearer in meaning or application. We must and should treat all citizens as though they have the same rights, because they do. Now, there are no such things as gay rights, or women’s rights, or minority rights, or designer rights of any kind. There are only God-give rights as defined in the Bill of Rights. Enough said.

What are your thoughts on local impacts resulting from illegal immigration?

Legal immigration is the life-blood of our state and nation. We are strong because of our diverse mix of people. But Idaho’s government needs to stop catering to special interest sectors of the state economy. We must not tolerate the hiring of illegal immigrants into low-paying labor jobs. Rather we must respect our state immigration laws by enforcing them. No one is above the law, and no one should be able to hire illegal aliens to help run a business. Our state government looks very hypocritical in criticizing the federal government over its failure to secure the southern border when our state encourages illegal immigration by allowing major agricultural industries to hire known illegal immigrants while avoiding enforcement action

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

Taxes are far too high in Idaho, because the size and cost of government is too high. The first and most requisite step in cutting taxes is to shrink the size of government. A small and efficient government only providing the services required by the state constitution will reveal the true and legitimate cost of government. Only then can we set the appropriate level of taxation at the state level. Also, an efficient and properly sized state government enhances the ability of providing state funding to local taxing authorities to provide property tax relief. All fair taxation depends on first establishing a small and efficient government structure. And in order to accomplish this, the government must budget to only provide essential services. Now this will only be accomplished if “we the people” learn to stop demanding so much from the government so that the government can live within its means.

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

I have had many difficult interactions while serving in government. I solve problems by listening to all sides of the situation while keeping an open mind. The seminal prerequisites to problem solving are avoiding the innate tendency toward initial bias and being willing to make a final decision when it is time to implement a solution. Every bill I have sponsored in the Senate required an open mind, a willingness to listen to all sides, and the intestinal fortitude to make a decision with confidence and move on.

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?

This beautiful document talks about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. America supports these God-given rights like no other country on Earth. And Idaho supports them as the greatest state in the Union. My administration as a State Senator is based on these seminal words in the Declaration of Indepence. And rather than tell you how I have lived up to those words, I will simply and proudly refer you to my voting record. Every action I have taken and every vote I have cast were in direct support of your Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness.

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

I support the Republican Party Platform with no restrictions. Our platform is a beautiful blend of patriotism, respect for human life at all stages, morality, and the American Spirit.