Governor Otter, usually silent during the legislative session, recently sent an opinion piece to Idaho's newspapers encouraging lawmakers to focus on the priorities of their constituents, including being accountable and transparent.

The question I have for Idahoans is this: Has this governor in his two terms of office represented your priorities, been accountable, or established a history of transparency?

Last fall in a plea to a lobbyist group, Governor Otter indicated his main priority for the 2014 legislative session was "Gettin' me re-elected." As I've traveled the state meeting with thousands of Idahoans, I’ve learned that their priorities are greatly different.

A senate colleague and I drafted a bill this session to focus on a very real priority of Republican and Democrat Idahoans alike - ending the regressive sales tax on food. Governor Otter has been silent on this issue. He was, however, willing to consider a proposal by House Speaker Scott Bedke to eliminate portions of the grocery tax credit in a move that would increase the tax burden on Idaho's middle class families. In the meantime, my bill is not even slated to get a hearing.

Governor Otter is also failing Idahoans' demands that their elected officials be accountable. Only after I demanded that Idaho's privately run prison be investigated for overcharging taxpayers, understaffing, and mismanagement did Governor Otter grudgingly consent to an investigation. He also fails to take any responsibility for the millions of dollars that Idahoans must now come up with for unanticipated costs and legal fees after his Department of Administration director, and best friend, entered into a highly controversial internet service contact for Idaho's schools.

And when the Idaho Obamacare Exchange Director awarded a six-figure contract to a member of the exchange board that Otter's staff knew about in advance, the governor was silent. Even after a private law firm investigated after the contract was cancelled, their findings were kept private. Governor Otter was silent again.

However, what the Governor has done this legislative session is stand firmly alongside President Obama in supporting the Obamacare Exchange and Common Core education standards in Idaho – things that are mostly unwanted in Idaho, and devastating to our future.

Governor Otter is out of touch with the priorities, values, and expectations of Idahoans. In the month of May, people will have a chance to elect someone who is in tune with what they expect in a governor.

Russ Fulcher is a Republican running for Idaho governor.