COEUR d'ALENE - One is touting her experience in government as a two-term representative and state senator. The other is campaigning on promises to advance Idaho.

Republican Kathy Sims and Democrat Ann Nesse are both seeking the District 4 Idaho House of Representatives seat on Nov. 4.

Incumbent Sims told The Press she is seeking re-election to continue work on legislation she started during last year's session, as well as to continue being a strong Republican voice in Boise.

"We need some good conservative representation from North Idaho," Sims said.

Nesse told The Press she is running for the House seat in order to help move Idaho from being "last place in wages, economic recovery, lowest disposable income in the U.S., lowest investment in living-wage jobs and education for these jobs.

"We have people falling through the cracks who want to work a living wage job but haven't been getting them," Nesse said. "We should be working to correct that."

The candidate added that her desire to improve Idaho has spurred her plans to donate $5,000 of her first year's salary to help start a fund to "kick start" better-paying jobs in the Coeur d'Alene area.

During last year's legislative session, Sims worked on House Bill 420, which would have exempted military retirement pay from state income taxes. The bill failed to pass by four votes and Sims said she has already gathered additional support and feels confident she will have the votes needed to get it passed this session.

"It's a way to welcome our heroes back to Idaho," Sims said. "I would also like to add the fact that this year we are going to exempt military as well as disability retirement from Idaho state income tax."

She added that she would also like to help work on removing the sales tax from grocery purchases in the state.

"Everyone buys groceries and everyone will benefit," Sims said. "This is the year we need to do it."

If elected, Nesse said, she would use her position in Boise to promote a change to the minimum wage in the city of Coeur d'Alene.

"That's something other people will do, but I will certainly help them out," Nesse said. "You have to start where you're at and we already know trickle down doesn't work. We want to trickle up."

At the state level, she said, she would fight to get Medicaid expansion passed, in order for the state to accept what she called a "gift of funds" from the federal government, which would reduce the $80 million the state pays each year to provide health care to low-income residents. The freed funds could be invested in state improvements like better job education and road maintenance, she said.

"People I talked to had a hard time believing that the Legislature didn't have that common sense," Nesse said. "They didn't realize that our Legislature wasn't thinking."

When asked why people should vote for her rather than Sims, Nesse referenced her background in health care, teaching and law.

"Idaho deserves better than last place," Nesse said. "We need to elect legislators with more vision who will work full-time to solve these issues."

Sims was asked the same question and referred to her "proven track record" in Boise, and encouraged voters to look up how she has voted on legislation during her last two terms.

"They know how I will vote," Sims said. "I'm proud to say that I am a Republican and that I support the Republican platform."

Watch a video of the candidates discussing some of the key issues: bit.ly/NesseSimsVideoCDAPress.

• Kathy Sims

Birth Date: May 6, 1942

Profession: Auto dealer at Coeur d'Alene Honda

Educational Background: Graduate of Coeur d'Alene High School, went to North Idaho College for accounting

Public Service: Idaho State Senator, two-term Idaho state representative, Republican precinct person, Republican county chairman, Republican state vice-chairman, former board member of the National Auto Dealers, served on the Idaho Human Rights Commission and as Idaho Transportation Committee Advisor.

Community Service: Rotarian, member of Women-to-Women International. Has done fundraisers for Children's Village for 19 years.

How many years a resident of your city: Moved to Coeur d'Alene from Post Falls when she was 11.

Marital Status: Single

Family: Two daughters and four grandchildren

Hobbies: Golf, painting and reading

• Anne Nesse

Birth Date: July 28, 1948

Profession: Self-employed, works at finding living-wage jobs in Coeur d'Alene through her website, www.sustainableeconomiesnorthwest.com

Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in nursing, psychology, music K-12, and elementary education

Public Service: Served on several community boards

Community Service: Active in her church, does intermittent charity work and donates to several causes

How many years as a resident of your city: 20 years

Marital Status: Married

Family: Three children

Hobbies: Sailing, hiking, walking, cooking using seasonal ingredients, writing and graphic design