COEUR d'ALENE - Fritz Wiedenhoff announced Thursday he is running for the Idaho House, seeking the seat currently held by Vito Barbieri.

Wiedenhoff, 43, has political campaign experience, running against current state Rep. Ed Morse and for a trustee position for North Idaho College.

Wiedenhoff, a Republican who lives in Garwood, has worked for Northern Lakes Fire District for more than 10 years, and currently is a lieutenant. He also is a part-time employee at the Coeur d'Alene airport, where he has worked in operations and maintenance the past 14 years.

He is a father of three children, ages 18, 14, and 9.

He grew up in Coeur d'Alene and attended Coeur d'Alene High School. If Wiedenhoff is elected, one of his priorities will be to dig into education issues and work to "improve" teacher pay and ways to better measure student achievement, he said.

"We need to do something to improve (teacher) recruitment and retention," he said. "But you just don't throw money at it."

Economic growth and job creation are also priorities, he said. He will support legislation that reduces government regulation of business.

As a House member, he promised he would be approachable and available to the public.

"I want to hear from constituents and know what is important to them," Wiedenhoff said.

"I have a perspective as a father and as a public servant."