Political ‘Speed Dating’ in Pocatello: Candidates answer voter questions face-to-face at ISU
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Pocatello spiced up the political scene with a non-partisan “Meet Your Candidates: Speed Dating-style” night at the Idaho State University ballroom tonight.
Voters were able to meet 10 of the 12 candidates running for Idaho’s Legislature District 29 in Pocatello and District 28 representing Chubbuck and surrounding areas.
The activity was sponsored by the Idaho State University Political Science Club, Southeast Idaho Citizens for Democracy and Braver Angels.
“We’d like to give the participants, the voters, an experience of meeting candidates up close and personal,” said Braver Angels Organizer Dr. Michael Jindra.
Residents asked questions for 15 minutes to each of the five candidates running from their region.
Voters inquired about data centers, healthcare, Medicare cuts, protecting public land, relations with the Shoshone-Bannock tribe and more.
“There’s a lot of toxicity in politics right now through advertisements, through the internet,” Jindra said. “This is a personal event that helps people get to know candidates face-to-face, and I think that kind of helps tone it down a little bit.”
Candidates who participated are starred:
Idaho Senate District 28
*Jim Guthrie (R) and *Mandy Peace (D)
Idaho House of Representatives District 28 Seat A
*Kim Jackman (D) and Rick Cheatum (R)
Idaho House of Representatives District 28 Seat B
*Dan Garner (R) and *Jayson Meline (D)
Idaho Senate District 28
*James Ruchti (D) and John Crowder (R)
Idaho House of Representatives District 29 Seat A*Dustin Manwaring (R) and *Mary Shea (D)
Idaho House of Representatives District 29 Seat B
*Nate Roberts (D) and *Jennifer Miles (R)
Local News 8 will publish in-depth reports with each candidate in the weeks before the general election on November 3, 2026.
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