When we announced our run for Governor, the career politicians laughed, making it clear they didn’t think we had a chance. It was said my opponents have 27 years of combined political careers and that taking on their political machines could not be done — even by someone who’s been an ER doctor and successful in business.

But we know better. We know Idahoans are ready for a fresh approach, new ideas and real-world leadership — and a promise of hard work and getting things done. We know it’s time Idaho is no longer last or near bottom in state high school graduation rates. We know it’s time we stop losing our kids to other states because they can’t find good paying jobs at home. And time Idaho stops over-regulating our small businesses.

We know it’s time. And when elected, I promise to do what I’ve done in the real world for decades — create a shared vision, work hard and get stuff done. Maybe in Congress or on a State Task Force there are other measures of success, but in the real world, getting stuff done is the measure of success. And that’s what I’ve done my whole life as an ER doctor leading a trauma team, as Chairman of a Board leading directors and as a small business owner leading companies.

And as you know, getting stuff done doesn’t come without hard work. We started this campaign with a 97-town tour and now we’re on a tour of Idaho’s 44 counties. At each campaign stop I share my Blueprint for an Even Better Idaho — outlining the promises, vision and plan that will allow us to thrive as families and small businesses — promises I’m making to you as an Idaho voter:

First, we need higher paying jobs in Idaho. Small businesses are the backbone of our state economy and I promise to lead efforts focused on taking care of our current businesses — and then relentlessly promote Idaho as the best place to do business in the nation. We must take care of our businesses by slashing regulations, cutting wasteful spending and reforming our tax code. This will take time, but it must and will be done.

Second, Idaho public education needs to prepare Idaho kids for Idaho jobs. I promise that when I’m Governor, every day from dawn until dusk I will focus on education and not stop working until Idaho leads the way in preparing today’s children for tomorrow’s jobs.

Third, are you as tired as I am of having POLITICIANS trying to fix healthcare? It’s time career politicians step aside and let those of us who’ve worked in the industry get to work. Because I promise lowering healthcare premiums for Idaho families and businesses is not only possible — but possible without federal government involvement.

Finally, we must elevate ethics in Idaho politics. I promise to bring the specific changes outlined in my Term Limits & Ethics Reform Plan to protect citizens from the special interests and cronyism that dominate state government.

All my life I’ve been told “it can’t be done.” Get all 121 Boy Scout Merit Badges? You can’t do that. Convince my wife to marry me? You can’t do that. Be the first person in your family to graduate college and somehow get into medical school? You can’t do that. ER doctor trying to become a commercial developer? You can’t do that. Construct Idaho’s tallest building in the Boise hole? You can’t do that.

Run for Governor and bring real-world business solutions to decades-long problems in Idaho govern-ment? “You can’t do that.”

But in every case my response has been, it must and will be done. With a collective vision, leadership, and hard work we will get things done in Idaho state government. Together I promise we can create a better business environment and bring higher paying jobs to Idaho. I promise we can ensure Idaho public education better prepares Idaho kids for Idaho jobs. And together I promise we can lower healthcare premiums and bring a high-bar of ethics to state government.

Together we can, we must and we will.

To learn more about my specific plans, please read my Blueprint for an Even Better Idaho at TommyforIdaho.com.