DALTON GARDENS - Longtime school counselor Cheryl Stransky, a Democrat, is taking on Republican incumbent Vito Barbieri in the District 2 House Seat A race.

This is Stransky's second run for the House seat, and she said education and economy are her top issues. She's asking that voters "vote the person, not the party."

She said public education is the great equalizer in this country, and she supports a renewed commitment to it.

"You can't say you're pro-business and be anti-education," Stransky said. "It just doesn't work."

"District 2 is an extremely conservative district," Barbieri said last week. His pro-life, conservative world view represents the people of his district.

Barbieri said one of his chief concerns is the amount of land in Idaho owned and managed by the federal government.

Control of the lands in the state would give Idaho control of its natural resources, he said. This would help with budgeting issues, educational funding issues and job issues, he said.

Another top issue for him is Medicaid.

"We've got to stop Medicaid expansion, and promote a Medicaid alternative," Barbieri said.

Stransky said leaders of companies that consider relocating to Idaho or expanding within the state need to know there is an educated workforce and that the children of employees will get a good education.

With the quality of life Idaho can offer, she said, "We should be able to attract businesses that pay a living wage."

She said Barbieri focuses too much on national issues, and that means state and local issues are not being addressed.

Barbieri opposes abortion, believes illegal aliens should be deported and U.S. troops should be stationed at the southern border, and he is very concerned about Agenda 21.

Agenda 21 is a non-binding, voluntarily implemented action plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable development.

He supports parents homeschooling their kids or sending them to private school, and believes public schools are an important place in educating the secular in our society."Public schools have chosen to exclude the Bible, prayer, and even the Ten Commandments," he says on his website. "This, by definition, has created a godless institution by which our culture suffers."He says he also opposes any increase in taxation at any level.

He also lays out his position on "separation of church and state."

"Establishing a state church is unconstitutional," he says on his website. "Acknowledging the God of the Bible, creator of the universe, is not. These two concepts are purposely confused by proponents of the 'Nanny State.'"

Stransky criticized Barbieri for not supporting a state mental health facility in Coeur d'Alene, which local law enforcement agencies said is needed. He voted no on a bill to fund mental health crisis centers in Idaho, though the Legislature approved funding for one.

"My opponent is so driven by ideology that I don't feel like he uses common sense," Stransky said. "This is a state office; we go to Boise and we represent the concerns of the citizens of North Idaho."

She wants to bring the community's citizens closer together, and further away from an "every-man-for-himself" ideology.

• Vito Barbieri

Age: 63

Profession: Retired attorney; owns a catering business and Vapit! electronic cigarette store in Post Falls

Educational background: Law degree from Western State University College of Law

Public service: Idaho House of Representatives 2010 to present, serving on business, local government and state affairs committees.

Community service: Chairman Open Arms Pregnancy Care Center and Real Choices Clinic

Years as resident of district: Dalton Gardens, approximately 10 years

Marital status: Married

Family: Wife, Joy; three grown children

Hobbies: Guitar, chess, Madden Football, gardening

• Cheryl Stransky

Age: 62

Profession: Retired school counselor

Education: Master's degree in psychology, and pupil personnel services certification.

Public service: No previous elected political office

Community service: Past president of the North Idaho School Counselors, and current member of CDA Educational Partnership Group

Years as a resident of current city: 29 years as resident of Dalton Gardens. (37 years in North Idaho)

Marital status: Single

Family: Two grown children

Hobbies: Tennis

• Online — Watch a video of the candidates discussing some key campaign issues: bit.ly/StranskyBarbieriVideoCDAPress