Even though legislative candidate Anne Nesse is a Democrat, she said, she still believes in some Republican ideas that will make the economy stronger.

"I want people to look at me as a person, and not a party," said Nesse, running against Republican incumbent Kathleen Sims for the legislative District 4B seat.

Nesse, an 18-year resident of Coeur d'Alene who has worked as a teacher and a nurse, said she has the education and preparation to serve the region well.

"With the help of many other fine legislators and citizens, I believe we can work together to improve Idaho for the better of our community," Nesse said.

Promising to represent voters with ethics and hard work, Nesse said addressing the economy is her "No. 1 priority."

Her plan of attack is pursuing a fairer tax code, she said, to allow more money to circulate in local and state economies.

Nesse compared the distribution of wealth to a game of marbles.

When one kid takes all the marbles, she said, the game is over.

"When money is well distributed, the economy thrives," she said.

She also believes a fairer tax code will provide more government funding to support education, infrastructure and new job opportunities, she said.

Nesse added that she does not support Sims' choice to vote for the Legislature's recent tax cut that benefited less than 20 percent of the state's highest wage earners and corporations.

"This has consistently been a failed strategy for our state," Nesse said. "We can do better at helping to create middle class jobs."

Improving education funding also tops Nesse's priorities, she said.

She criticized the Students Come First Legislation as reducing students to test scores, too, and promised she would vote to repeal it in November.

"This legislation is not a methodology by which students or teachers are motivated," she wrote in an email, adding that online classes can't replace the rest of a balanced education.

Nesse has a bachelor's degree in nursing and a bachelor's in psychology from the University of Washington, a background she said she will rely on in addressing the cost of health care.

She also has a teaching certificate in elementary education and music.

She has been engaged in ongoing research of sustainable economics, she said.

Nesse and her husband, Ralph, have three grown children.

Nesse, who preferred not to give her age, encouraged folks to visit her website, AnneNesse.org. She has scheduled a meet and greet with voters from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, July 15 in city park.

"I want to make the economy stronger," Nesse said. "That's my interest."