Bob Nonini believes his leadership experience is a valuable asset to maintain in Boise.

"I've been a proven leader down there and have 25 years of participation in the local Republican Party," he said.

Nonini, a Republican incumbent who owns a financial services firm, is being challenged by Pat Whalen for the District 3 Senate seat.

Nonini served in the Idaho House from 2004 to 2012 and in the Senate from 2012 to the present.

As a legislator who has served on the Education Committee, Nonini said he's passionate about creating opportunities with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Nonini, who assisted with the start of the North Idaho STEM Charter Academy in Rathdrum, said more jobs in the future will require a STEM education.

"That's one of the ways to deal with the minimum wage issue," said Nonini, adding that such jobs typically pay well. "When the next employer (in the STEM field) comes to Idaho, we can say we have an educated workforce you can hire here.

"We need to look at training opportunities so that we have a highly educated workforce."

Nonini said he'll continue to be a "schools of choice" proponent, fighting to expand private, charter and home-school opportunities.

"That's a rising tide that floats all boats; it's even good for public education," he said. "School choice is important."

Nonini said he believes increasing the minimum wage is anti-business.

"The minimum wage is for entry-level workers or those who want part-time work to supplement their family income," he said.

Nonini said he believes he has a proven record on workforce training and economic development, including supporting the Kootenai Technical Education Campus and the financing program that led to the construction of the Interstate 90 interchange near Cabela's.

Nonini said he doesn't support adding language to discrimination laws to protect lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgendered people.

"If we give a special group a special right, where does that stop?" he said.

Expanding Medicaid is also a bad idea, Nonini said.

"The system is not working, so why should we expand the system without correcting the existing system?" he said.

Nonini said community health centers and preventative care, not expanding Medicaid and spending more money, is key to the future of health care.

"We need to get people more cognizant of their own health so they are willing to take care of themselves rather than just going to the emergency room," he said. "We need more people with more personal responsibility in the game."

Profile:

Bob Nonini

Birth date: Aug. 17, 1954

Profession: Owner of Nonini Financial Services

Educational background: One year at North Idaho College

Public service: 10 years in the Idaho Legislature, eight in the House and two in the Senate; active in local Republican Party politics the past 25 years

Community service/nonprofits: 22 years as a Rotarian, past president of the Coeur d'Alene club, current member of the Post Falls club; past president of the Spokane River Association; past president of Idaho Insurance and Financial Advisors

How many years as a resident of your district: 33

Marital status: Married to Cathyanne for 15 years

Hobbies: Golfing, boating, traveling