NorthwestAugust 19, 1993

Michael R. Wickline

United We Stand America-Idaho hopes to influence next year's congressional elections in the state, but it won't endorse any candidates or give them any money, the group's treasurer said Wednesday in Lewiston.

Ira B. Holst of Lewiston, who also serves as the organization's coordinator in north central Idaho, said the group will attempt to affect the outcome of next year's elections by focusing on issues. It can't wait until the next presidential election in 1996, because of the nation's economic condition, he said.

Congressional candidates will be shown polls of United We Stand America-Idaho's members, he said. Statewide, the group claims more than 7,000 members, including 800 in north central Idaho.

''The obvious conclusion is the candidates who want the votes of our members better support the issues our members support,'' Holst told about a dozen people at the organization's regional meeting in Lewiston.

''Even if we ever get to polling members about a candidate, it will be at the last minute,'' he added.

James O. McMains of Lewiston said Ross Perot, who helped get United We Stand America off the ground, polled members in Texas about the U.S. Senate race last May and 85 percent supported Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison. Bailey handily won the race for the seat formerly held by Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen, a Democrat.

Idaho 1st District Congressman Larry LaRocco, a Democrat, already has two Republican challengers, Boise consultant Helen Chenoweth and Rathdrum law student and disabled veteran Sonny Kinsey, in next year's election. No Democrat has emerged to challenge Idaho 2nd District Congressman Mike Crapo, a Republican.

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Holst said United We Stand America-Idaho's board of directors agreed Saturday to ask each of the seven regional groups whether they want the statewide organization to consider four issues.

Those issues include the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), term limitations for congressmen, and circulating petitions asking voters to pledge not to vote for candidates who won't balance the federal budget within eight years.

The other issue is asking the school districts and state lawmakers to put their school financing suits on hold and to work toward a settlement because the legal costs are ''a huge, huge boondoggle,'' he said.

Holst said the organization could spread itself too thin by focusing on too many issues, and its members should try to focus their efforts.

Local teams who want to focus on specific issues may take their concerns to the regional committees and then the statewide organization for consideration, he said.

McMains said he held an informal meeting for 18 people to discuss their concerns about the city of Lewiston's budget in his backyard one Sunday afternoon, and then had a spokesperson express their concerns to the city council.

Lewiston civic activist Stephen Sabo later read a statement from Lewiston City Councilman Shirley McGeoghegan in which she blasts the council for being unwilling to discuss reducing expenses and increasing efficiency. He said he believes there are United We Stand America-Idaho members who support McGeoghegan on this issue.

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