COEUR d'ALENE - One is campaigning on her background as a small business owner and experience in the realm of politics. The other said he is running to shake up the two-party political system.

Republican Mary Souza and Ray Writz, a member of the Constitution Party, are both seeking the District 4 Idaho Senate seat on Nov. 4.

Souza told The Press she is running to represent the residents of Coeur d'Alene, particularly by standing up to the federal government.

"The state of Idaho can do a good job, if we all come together, of pushing back against that overreach (from the federal government)," Souza said. "We're seeing that overreach in several areas that we can actually directly deal with in Boise."

Writz told The Press that the purpose of his candidacy is to provide voters with a contrast to the two major political parties.

"Both parties are going the same direction: downhill," Writz said. "Right now we don't have the citizen participation (in politics) that we really need.

Sometimes you've got to change people in office quite a bit because if one stays there too long he forgets where the people are."

If elected, Souza said, there are several issues she is interested in working to correct with her colleagues in Boise.

"I am very, very interested in improving education in Idaho," Souza said. "But I do not care for Common Core. I don't think it is good to have the federal government controlling local education and that's what they do through Common Core."

Souza added that she is very passionate about health care and how that care is delivered in the state. She was opposed to the state health care exchange and said she thought Idaho should have worked with other states opposed to the Affordable Care Act to create an alternative.

Expanding Medicaid, according to Souza, is an issue that needs to be examined carefully.

"It's not an effective or well-run program," Souza said. "It's a broken program and has been for a number of years. Rather than expand something that's broken, in Idaho we can find some creative and free market solutions and there are several that are really promising."

Writz echoed Souza's desire to eliminate the health care exchange in Idaho. He called the program unconstitutional and an institution which stifles competition and drives up the cost of health care.

"Idaho should have its own solutions," Writz said. "Then you would have open competition and not just a few options."

Writz added that, if elected, he would also advocate to eliminate Common Core. He said it is the state's responsibility, not the federal government's, to determine the best methods of educating the youth.

When asked why people should vote for her rather than Writz, Souza touted her background as a small business owner and her years of being involved in the political world of Coeur d'Alene.

"That really gives me the background to represent Coeur d'Alene in a very positive way," Souza said.

Writz was asked the same question and said by electing him to the Senate seat, voters would be sending a message that the two-party system is not working.

"A third-party selection sends a different type of message and the electorate needs to try to send that message," Writz said. "Until they do, everything will continue on the same downhill course."

Online: Watch the candidates discuss key issues: bit.ly/SouzaWritzVideoCDAPress

• Mary Souza

Age: 61

Profession: Self-employed, has owned Design Events for 30 years

Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in nursing, master's degree in health education.

Public Service: Planning and zoning board for six years

Community Service: Served on various school committees, writes a newsletter and is a community advocate

How many years as a resident of your city: 27 years

Marital Status: Married

Family: Four children, one grandchild

Hobbies: Kayaking, reading, gardening and traveling

• Ray Writz

Age: 63

Profession: Semi-retired, but still owns a janitorial service

Education: High school and DeVry Institute

Public Service: None

Community Service: Believes in helping one person at a time

How many years as a resident of your city: 36 years

Marital Status: Married

Family: Two children, one grandchild