Benewah County businessman Ken De Vries is running for the Idaho House seat currently held by state Rep. Dick Harwood, who has announced he's retiring from the state Legislature.

De Vries said Harwood asked him to run and is endorsing him. Harwood confirmed Wednesday that he is endorsing De Vries.

Harwood said De Vries is a strong advocate of private-property rights, and will strictly follow the Constitution.

"He's a very conservative guy," Harwood said.

"The liberty index is dropping," De Vries said.

De Vries will be sitting in for Harwood in the state House from March 5 to March 9, when Harwood will be absent because of a family member's illness.

De Vries is seeking seat B in District 5, which includes Benewah and Latah counties. It's De Vries' first run for public office.

De Vries, 52, is a self-employed business software consultant who lives with his wife of 24 years, Yvonne, on their working ranch in rural Benewah County. He lives about 17 miles southwest of St. Maries.

They have three children, ages 20, 17, and 10.

De Vries has for more than 25 years developed software for businesses and has owned I3 Consulting since 2003.

De Vries said, "As a small businessman, I must be accountable to balance my books, and be fiscally conservative so my business can provide a living for me and my family."

He said he will bring the same philosophy to state government, including reducing taxes.

"We must stand up to encroachments on our property rights," he said. For many, "our land is our livelihood and our birthright. I will fight against efforts to dilute our rights to use our property as we see fit."

De Vries believes the state of Idaho must lead the way in defending against federal "meddling" in people's lives.

He said, "From 'Obamacare' to the (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) to attacks on our Second Amendment rights, I will work so that Idaho stands up to unwarranted federal infringement on the powers reserved to the states and the people by our Constitution."