Kristin Collum

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Kristin Collum
KristinCollumAtHarvestingChange.jpg
Personal details
Born Great Falls, Montana, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Education University of Maryland, University College (BS)
Hawaii Pacific University (MS)

Kristin Collum is an Army veteran who ran as a Democrat for the office of the Idaho Lieutenant Governor in the Idaho elections, 2018 (in which every state executive office is open), part of that year's midterm United States elections. The race is notable as her GOP opponent, former state representative Janice McGeachin, [1] is also a woman, ensuring that the state's next Lt. Gov. will be a woman, a historic first for the state. [2] Brad Little, who is now running for governor, currently holds the position. [3]

Biography

Collum enlisted in the U.S. Army and left the service as an officer, entering with a high school degree and leaving with a masters. Collum received her bachelor's in information systems management from the University of Maryland-University College (1993) and her master's in information systems from Hawaii Pacific University (1996). Her military experience includes serving as platoon leader in the Signal Battalion of the 25th Infantry Division, special assignments in NATO School (SHAPE), Oberammergau, and serving as personal staff for General Colin Powell. Collum is an Oracle Certified Professional, Project Management Professional, Agile Certified Practitioner, Certified Scrum Professional, and Certified Scrum Master. [4] She has worked in the tech sector and has lived in Idaho for over two decades. [5]

Issues

The Lt. Governor race in Idaho is receiving national attention because Collum strongly supports the expansion of Medicaid in Idaho, a Medicaid expansion battleground state [6] while her opponent is staunchly opposed. [7] Collum is further interested in veterans issues, particularly PTSD. She supports legalizing marijuana, CBD oil, and growing hemp agriculturally. [5] Growing Idaho's broadband capacity and advocating for STEM education to attract tech jobs are also concerns of hers. [8]

Notable Endorsements

On the same day as her debate with McGeachin on Idaho Public TV, [9] Collum secured the endorsement for Lt. Governor from Idaho's largest newspaper, the Idaho Statesman . [10] The Idaho Statesman subsequently endorsed Brad Little, the Republican nominee, splitting their Governor and Lt. Governor endorsements between the two major parties. [11]

After The Idaho Statesman endorsement, the Post Register (Idaho Falls), Times-News (Twin Falls), and the Idaho State Journal (Pocatello) cited Collum's collaborative problem-solving skills, military and cyber-security experience, and moderate, work-across-the-aisle approach as key reasons for their decision to endorse Collum. [12] [13] [14]

2018 Idaho Primary Election Results

Collum secured the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor over her rival, Jim Fabe. [15]

Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Kristin Collum52,41788.2
Democratic Jim Fabe6,98711.8
Total votes59,404100.0

Fundraising

In a Republican controlled state, Collum is the first Democratic Lt. Governor candidate in sixteen years to have a financially viable candidacy in the state after the primary, [16] raising $85,918 by October 10, 2018 in the general election from mostly small donations, [17] beating her opponent's $81,556 in total donations not counting self-loans. [18]

References

  1. ↑ Almukhtar, Sarah; Andrews, Wilson; Bloch, Matthew; Bowers, Jeremy; Giratikanon, Tom; Lee, Jasmine C.; Murray, Paul (May 17, 2018). "Idaho Primary Election Results". The New York Times. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  2. ↑ Brown, Ruth (2018-04-16). "First Female Idaho Lt. Gov. Ensured". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
  3. ↑ Dentzer, Bill (June 28, 2016). "Brad Little, Idaho's governor-in-waiting, commits to 2018 run". Idaho Statesman . Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Professional background". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  5. 1 2 Price, Mike (2018-09-24). "Democratic candidate for lt. gov. shares her thoughts on the issues, Paulette Jordan and more". East Idaho News. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  6. ↑ Barry-Jester, Anna Maria (2018-05-02). "Does Medicaid Expansion Have A Shot In A State As Red As Idaho?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  7. ↑ Associated Press (2018-10-18). "Lieutenant governor candidates differ on Medicaid, wages". Associated Press. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  8. ↑ Wilson, Judd (2018-10-11). "COLLUM: KNOW ME AND YOU'LL VOTE FOR ME". Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls Press. Retrieved 2018-10-15.
  9. ↑ Idaho Public TV debates (2018-10-17). "Lt Governor Debate: General". Idaho Public Television. Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  10. ↑ Editorial Board (2018-10-17). "Kristin Collum has the potential to become an influential leader in Idaho". The Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
  11. ↑ Editorial Board (2018-10-21). "Pragmatic and responsible, Brad Little is ready to lead Idaho". The Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  12. ↑ Editorial Board (2018-10-26). "Endorsement: Kristin Collum". The Post Register. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
  13. ↑ Editorial Board (2018-10-26). "Our View: Idaho needs a lieutenant governor who can represent all of Idaho. Kristin Collum is the candidate who can do that". The Magic Valley Times-News. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
  14. ↑ Editorial Board (2018-10-27). "ISJ EDITORIAL: Giving Idaho its best chance for success". The Idaho State Journal. Retrieved 2018-10-29.
  15. ↑ "2018 Idaho Primary Election Results". Idaho Secretary of state. 2018-05-15. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  16. ↑ "Idaho Campaign Finance Totals". Idaho Secretary of state. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  17. ↑ "Idaho Campaign Disclosure Report: Collum" (PDF). Idaho Secretary of state. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  18. ↑ "Idaho Campaign Disclosure Report: McGeachin" (PDF). Idaho Secretary of state. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
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