Melissa Durrant
Melissa, a devoted mother, wife, farmer, business owner, and community leader, is deeply committed to serving her community, a value instilled by her father who served as a police officer and intermediate EMT in a small Utah farming town for decades. Her earliest job involved moving irrigation pipes on a neighboring farm, where she developed a love for agriculture that would shape her future. She married Neil, a fourth-generation farmer, and together they operate 300 acres in the Kuna area, raising their four children amidst the enriching agricultural community. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Boise State University and another in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education from Utah State University. She has been active in the Young Farmer and Rancher program at various levels and contributes to the Kuna FFA scholarship program. Additionally, Melissa is engaged in local educational committees and shares her passion for soccer by coaching in the Kuna PAL. As a candidate for Idaho Legislative District 23, Melissa pledges to represent her constituents faithfully, emphasizing that her every decision is aimed at improving the lives of Idahoans.
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Republican voters in District 23 will decide who is on the November ballot for Representative seat A
hris Bruce is challenging incumbent Melissa Durrant for District 23 seat A. The district encompasses a majority of Kuna, portions of Ada and Canyon County, and all of Owyhee County.
“The district has a lot of rural schools in it, and those rural schools are really struggling to be able to meet the needs of upkeep and their facilities. Especially with the growth, there’s a lot of growth happening all at once that we weren’t quite ready or prepared for,” said Durrant.
As a former Idaho Farm Bureau State board member, Durrant says she wants to continue to advocate for District 23’s agricultural and rural areas, “and then there was also a bill on the Senate side that was working towards providing a state EMS. Which was huge for especially Owyhee County being able to have more resources where they get inundated all the time for recreation."
“If you’re a candidate or lawmaker who opposes school choice – you’re a target,” Nathaniel Cunneen, the American Federation for Children’s director of strategic analysis, said in an email to Idaho Education News. “We intend to ensure their constituents know where they stand on education freedom. We will continue to fight alongside parents to deliver opportunities for Idaho’s kids.”
The bulk of the Idaho Federation for Children PAC’s $227,715 has gone into negative campaigning. The group has spent about $57,000 apiece against Reps. Melissa Durrant, R-Kuna, and Richard Cheatum, R-Pocatello, and almost $53,000 targeting Rep. Kenny Wroten, R-Nampa.
The three lawmakers cast decisive swing votes in March, when the House Revenue and Taxation Committee killed a controversial bill to create a $50 million private school tax credit and grant program. The bill was supported by AFC and other advocates for school choice, a loose term attached to the tax credit and similar proposals to move public money into private schools.
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