Syme steps into Senate race
Weiser candidate announces bid during Thursday ceremony
By Matthew Neal
Argus Observer
Wednesday, January 2, 2008 10:55 AM PST
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| Born and raised in Weiser, Scott Syme (center) surrounded my his wife and family, announced his United States senatorial candidacy on Thursday on the steps of the Washington County Courthouse. Since Weiser is his hometown, he decided it was the best place for him make the announcement. Syme’s many supporters also attended the event. |
WEISER - Weiser native Scott Syme announced his intention to run for the United States Senate on the Republican ticket Thursday on the steps of the Washington County Courthouse.
Syme is seeking to assume the slot of current Idaho Sen. Larry Craig. Craig will not be seeking re-election and will retire when his term expires in January 2009, opening the door to a new political landscape.
“People need a choice. They need someone that is real that can bring real life experiences to the senate with no agendas,” Syme said last week. “Idaho needs someone that really wants to work for the people, and that is why I am running.” Syme enters the race along with current Idaho Republican Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, former Democratic Congressman Larry Larocco and Republican and Eastern Idaho elk rancher Rex Rammell. The last candidate for Craig’s slot is Kent Mormon, a former Caldwell city councilman. One of Syme’s biggest issues is what he calls “our government’s lack of a fundamental understanding of the conflict in Iraq.”
Syme served three years in the U.S. Army and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He currently holds the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and has spent nearly 25 years in the Army and Army Reserves.
Syme said he would like to work toward a favorable conclusion regarding the war.
“As an Iraq veteran, I have the experience and insight that our Senate needs to make the right decisions for the direction of our country in this conflict,” Syme said.
Syme also said immigration, the economy and bringing jobs to Idaho all rank high on his agenda if elected to the U.S Senate.
Syme, a Weiser High School graduate, was born and raised in Washington County.
“Like all counties, Washington County needs jobs, and whatever I can do to help bring jobs to Idaho is what I’m going to do,” he said.
As far as tax reform goes, Syme believes that Idahoans are taxed enough.
“We have a big enough burden as it is, and I would like to give people the breaks they need to make a living.”
Syme said he thinks there is something special about being from Idaho.
“I’m an Idaho native, fifth generation,” he said. “I was born here, educated at the College of Idaho, and I owned a small business in Idaho. I want to fight for our Idaho values in the U.S. Senate as the next senator from Idaho.”
The war in Iraq, the economy and immigration will no doubt be prevalent issues for all candidates, yet Syme indicates he will listen to the people he may represent.
“The constituents will tell me what the issues are,” he said.
