Mary Souza's number one priority as a state legislator would be to push back against what she perceives as the federal government's "over-reach" into state law.

"I am concerned about the over-reach of the federal government into our individual and state's rights," Souza said. "We've seen it with the Obamacare exchange. We've seen it with Common Core in our schools, and we will see it even more if Medicaid is expanded in Idaho.

"We need new leadership in Boise," she added.

Souza, 60, is challenging Incumbent Sen. John Goedde in the 4th Legislative District 4.

She is a mother of four grown children with her first grandchild on the way. She is a former nurse and nursing instructor. She is also the co-owner of Design Events.

She holds a bachelor's degree in nursing and master's degree in health education.

In 2013, Souza ran unsuccessfully against Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer. She served on the city of Coeur d'Alene's Planning and Zoning Commission for six years. She was also chair of Coeur d'Alene's first Open Space Commission.

She won the Idaho Volunteer of the Year from Republican Women in 2013. She has lived in Coeur d'Alene for 27 years and has been married to her husband, Rick, for 35 years.

Here are Souza's views on the four issues we asked all of the state legislative candidates to address:

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"I am in favor of a confidential investigation by the attorney general's office, and that could be done in conjunction with state commission on human rights to see if there is a compelling need for any changes in our state's equality laws."

Medicaid expansion

"I think the basis of this is that the Obamacare law needs Medicaid expansion in order to survive. That will obligate Idaho to pay many more millions of dollars after the first few years and our state will become even more dependent on the federal government, so I am not in favor of it. I think there are better solutions for Idaho."

Minimum wage

"I think that really is a problem with jobs in Idaho. I am in favor of reducing the tax burden and the onerous regulations to empower small business to create more good jobs. That will do a lot more than raising the minimum wage."

Economic development

"I think that jobs and economic development go hand in hand. I really think that we need to lower the tax burden on all of the small business in Idaho, not just a select few. We also need to lower the level of unnecessary or over-invasive regulations, so that businesses can flourish. When they do that they will be offering more better level jobs - not minimum wage jobs, but good jobs that pay well. That's what we need in terms of our economic development here."