AllPolitics - Congressional Races

Helen Chenoweth (R)

District 1 (West--Boise, Nampa, Panhandle)

BORN: Jan. 27, 1938, Topeka, Kans.

EDUCATION: Whitworth College, 1955-58

FAMILY: Divorced; two children

RELIGION: Christian

MILITARY: None

OCCUPATION: Public affairs consultant; congressional aide

POLITICAL CAREER: U.S. House, 1994-

ADDRESS: P.O. Box 897, Boise 83701. Tel.: 208-336-5525

Chenoweth--ranked one of the "10 Dimmest Bulbs in Congress" by The Progressive magazine--is one of the more colorful and controversial conservatives in Congress, which helps explain the ranking by the liberal magazine. Democrats have charged her with a litany of ethical infractions, including undeclared loans, loans taken without collateral and improper use of campaign contributions--all of which she attributes to honest mistakes. But her chief issue--individual rights vs. federal regulations--is no small bone of contention in the vast First District, which might like to send a rule bender to Congress.

THE ISSUES

Budget YES

Medicare YES

Defense NO

Abortion YES

Guns NR

Gays NR

Bosnia YES

nafta NR

Welfare YES

Medical Leave NR

(For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: "We could literally do away with the IRS."

Dan Williams (D)

District 1

BORN: Sept. 24, 1962, Boise

EDUCATION: Yale U, B.A., 1984; U of Michigan, J.D., 1988

FAMILY: Wife, Emily

RELIGION: United Methodist

MILITARY: None

OCCUPATION: Lawyer; Governor's counsel

POLITICAL CAREER: Democratic nominee for Idaho House, 1990

ADDRESS: P.O. Box 2837, Boise 83701. Tel.: 208-336-6050

Williams combines a moderate Democratic agenda with a powerful attack on the ethics of his opponent, the ultraconservative Helen Chenoweth. In this predominantly conservative district, his campaign strategy has been to paint his opponent as a hotheaded extremist-- who may have misused campaign funds--while portraying himself as a level-headed leader. Williams promises to protect wages, support job training and cut the budget in ways that will not lower the standard of living of Idaho's families.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO

Medicare NO

Defense YES

Abortion NO

Guns NO

Gays YES

Bosnia NO

nafta NO

Welfare NO

Medical Leave YES

(For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: "We must maintain the quality of life Idahoans enjoy by balancing reasonable environmental protection with the need for responsible development of our natural resources."

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