Heather Scott
Name: Heather Scott
Position Running For: State Representative 2A
Phone: (208) 920-3120
Address: PO Box 134, Blanchard, Idaho 83804, United States
Website: http://voteheatherscott.com
Twitter: heatherscottID
Email: repheatherscott@gmail.com
Tell us a little about yourself and your family, how long you have lived in the area and your occupation.: I am married to Andrew Scott and have lived in Blanchard for 26 years. (https://voteheatherscott.com/ https://repheatherscott.com/ https://growingfreedomidaho.com/ ) The box above would not accept all of these.
1. Do you have experience as an elected official and if so, what was your position, and how would you describe your voting record?: My name is Heather Scott and I am currently the Idaho State House Representative for District 2, Seat A representing all or parts of five counties (Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah and Clearwater). Before redistricting in 2022, I held the 1A State representative position representing Bonner and Boundary Counties for the previous 8 years. I am a strong conservative who has maintained one of the highest scores on the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s (IFF) freedom index and spending index (for low spending) last nine years. I am also rated high on the American Conservative Union (ACU), am a Club for Growth Fellow, and serve as the co-chair of the Idaho Freedom Caucus.
2. Please tell us about your activity as a Republican. Have you previously voted for candidates of other parties? If yes, explain.: I have been a strong supporter of the Republican party since entering politics in 2014 around the time of the Tea Party Movement. I served as the Spirit Valley Precinct committeeman for the Bonner County Republican Central Committee from 2015 thru 2022. I have actively participated, helped plan, been a donor to and attended multiple Lincoln Day fundraiser dinners in Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, Clearwater, and several other Idaho counties over the last 10 years. I have encouraged numerous candidates to run as republican candidates for offices ranging from school and library boards to county commissioners to state legislators and statewide positions. I have always voted for only Republican candidates except for one vote which I cast for a Constitutionalist candidate.
3. What is the purpose of government?: My belief is that the purpose of government is to work for the people, in a limited defined role as laid out in our federal and state constitutions. Government work as I see it first and foremost is to protect the individual rights and freedoms of the citizenry over whom they govern. This may include assisting in certain aspects of citizens’ lives to maintain order in society through laws and rules that are fair and equal but not burdensome; to provide infrastructure that is open to all and paid for by fair and equitable fees or taxing; and to maintain the least amount of intrusion into families, private businesses and personal liberties while protecting the livelihoods and private assets from threats both foreign and domestic.
4. Describe why you are running for this particular office. What are your qualifications? What are your goals?: I am running for this particular office because I believe that my participation in Idaho state government can help stop overreach and unconstitutional actions by the federal government and expose corruption and cronyism in the state government. My qualifications include the fact that I am currently doing the job of a state legislator. My goals are to return Idaho to an independent sovereign state that operates with fiscal responsibility, resists federal money, and protects the rights Idaho citizens. Another goal I have is to reign in the executive branch in this state. I also believe my current role as Vice Chairman of the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee gives me valuable insight and input into proposed legislation that could either benefit or be detrimental to citizens.
5. Describe experiences where you are or have been engaged such as non-profit organizations, clubs, churches, boards, commissions, etc., where you have been of service to others.: I have been involved with God’s Provision Thrift Store in Priest River Idaho for 17 years now. This is a Christian faith-based nonprofit that gives back to the communities. I started there as a volunteer and have risen to be on their Board of Directors. The positive impact this charity provides to the communities has been amazing to watch and it blesses me to be a part of it. I have been a member of several churches over the years, most recently Candlelight Christian Fellowship. I attend online church with Calvary Chapel Chino Hills-Jack Hibbs.
6. Do you describe yourself as fiscally conservative? Please, elaborate.: I believe myself to be a fiscal conservative. As a legislator I routinely work hard on scrutinizing bills for wasteful spending, pet project spending and corporate favoritism. Through regular newsletters, I try to shine a light on wasteful government spending to educate and engage voters. As mentioned above, I have had highest score for being the lowest spender for the IFF spending index. This index carefully looks at all aspects of each bill on how it will affect tax payers and whether it is a proper or appropriate use of tax payer funds. I consistently vote no and speak out on the floor against bad budgets to raise awareness of the waste.
7. Do you consider yourself as socially conservative? Please elaborate.: I do believe I am a social conservative. I am a Christian who believes in traditional marriage, I am 100% prolife, I believe in limited government, no mask or vax mandates, I support private property rights. I believe capitalism is the only form of business that allows a country to be strong, independent and viable while offering freedoms, liberties and fostering and encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit to its citizens. During the covid lockdown I developed a pamphlet titled 101 Things You Can Do that has received lots of positive feedback for its suggestions on how the everyday citizens can do simple things to improve their communities and impact how they interact with elected officials. It can be viewed at this link: https://growingfreedomidaho.com/101-things/
8. Describe which party platform best aligns with your positions on public policy (Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or Constitutional Party) and where do you disagree with that platform.: The Republican platforms aligns very well with my positions on public policy. The only part of the platform I would like to change is to see the platform support term limits. I believe term limits should be placed on all positions. It weeds out bad actors and encourages new political ideas to get involved in government. No one should be elected to anything for life and no one should be allowed to keep running for a position even if they are unopposed. I believe Idaho is suffering because of this and losing its conservative nature because of this.
9. Do you have any history of tax liens, criminal record, bankruptcy or conflict of interest that may affect your future decisions or desirability to be voted into office?: I have no history of tax liens, criminal record or conflicts of interest that could affect my future decisions or desirability to be voted in to office.
10.Describe how you will make yourself available to your constituents and vote as their representative with FORTITUDE, adhering to the values and answers you have stated above.: I have worked tirelessly often putting in 50-60 hours a week and sacrificing many weekends to represent my constituents for the last 9+ years. I receive some 400 plus emails a week and upwards of 30 calls a day. I do my best to keep up with responding to citizens, offering solutions to their questions or helping to elevate their fears or getting them educated on government and then engaged. I have been the point to the spear on many tough House of Representative floor debates and I am not afraid to stand on principle, call out others who cave to pressure and go toe-to-toe with leadership or the executive office. I have sponsored and fought for good republican-based legislation, fought against bad legislation regardless of which party might be promoting it.