Scott Herndon, District 1 Senate

Full name: Scott Herndon 

Profession: Custom home builder and business owner 

Educational background: Missouri Military Academy, 1985. BS – Finance, Arizona 

State University, 1989 

How many years as a Bonner County resident: 22 years (since 2004) 

Marital status: Married to Arlene 

Family: Arlene and I have had 8 children 

Website: HerndonForIdaho.com

1. My top priority is eliminating property taxes. Idaho collects $2.3 billion in property taxes while the state budget tops $14 billion, with $4.6 billion in continuous appropriations flowing on autopilot with no legislative review. I will introduce legislation to bring all appropriations under annual review and redirect state surplus to replace property tax revenue for local governments. I will also fight to control state spending growth, which has risen $600 per person per year above inflation and population growth for six straight years. Local services stay funded. You actually own your home. 

2. First, property taxes. No other tax gives government a permanent claim on your home. A retiree on a fixed income can lose the house they paid off decades ago. Second, state spending. Idaho nearly doubled its budget in ten years and still left $200 million on the bottom line this year. We have a spending discipline problem, not a revenue problem. Third, protecting constitutional rights. During COVID, the government shut down churches while keeping liquor stores open. My opponent voted against concealed carry on public property. I have a proven record defending the Second Amendment and religious liberty. 

3. On property taxes: bring the $4.6 billion in continuous appropriations under legislative review, control spending growth to match population and inflation, and redirect the savings to local governments. I already proved this works by helping pass HB 292 in 2023—$317 million in ongoing property tax relief—overriding the governor’s veto. On spending: require line-by-line budget review for every dollar. On constitutional rights: I authored SB 1374 restoring concealed carry on public property, passed 28-7. I co-authored HB 376 in 2025, passed the House 56-10. I will keep fighting. 

4. The most critical issue is whether District 1 sends a senator who will control spending or one who votes to grow it. My opponent votes to grow government spending and opposed a $253 million income tax cut last year. He called conservative budget reforms a “scheme.” You cannot eliminate property taxes with a senator who won’t stop spending. I have the record to prove I fight for fiscal discipline. I delivered $317 million in property tax relief by overriding a governor’s veto. I will bring that same resolve to every appropriations vote. 

5. Public land access. Last year, SB 1086 passed the Senate 18-16 with my opponent’s vote. The bill would have made it a state crime to violate any closure on federal or state land for recreational purposes, with no requirement that the violation be willful or knowing. Even an unintentional wrong turn past a posted sign would be criminal trespass. In North Idaho, our families hunt, fish, hike, and ride on public land every day. I authored SB 1258 protecting public road access to state lands and waters. My opponent voted to criminalize yours. 

6. I believe people come together around shared principles, not vague calls for unity. Property taxes unite the young couple struggling with a $3,200 mortgage and the retiree on a fixed income. Gun rights unite the hunter and the small business owner. When I knock doors across District 1, I find overwhelming agreement on these issues regardless of background. I am honest about my positions and I show up to listen. I held office for two years and maintained relationships even with colleagues who disagreed with me. Respect and honesty bring people together. 

7. Idaho does not have a revenue crisis. It has a spending discipline crisis. The state budget grew to $14.45 billion for FY27, a 2.5% increase despite talk of cuts. One agency, Health and Welfare, added $527 million and wiped out every cut made everywhere else. Medicaid expansion, which did not exist before 2018, is now the largest driver of budget growth. Meanwhile, $4.6 billion flows through continuous appropriations with no annual vote. I would require every dollar to face legislative review, hold spending growth to population plus inflation, and stop governing on autopilot. 

8. State government should protect individual liberty, defend property rights, maintain public safety, and stay out of the way. It should not shut down churches during a pandemic while keeping liquor stores open. It should not tax you out of a home you already paid for. It should not criminalize your access to public lands. It should not grow its own budget by $600 per person per year above what is needed. Government works best when it is small, transparent, and accountable. Every dollar should be reviewed, every regulation justified, and every right protected. 

9. Local control is essential, and my plan to eliminate property taxes preserves it entirely. Local governments would continue setting their own budgets and priorities. The only change is the revenue source: instead of a tax that charges you based on what the government says your home is worth, funding comes from state revenue Idaho is already over-collecting. I proved this model works with HB 292, where the state sent $317 million directly to local governments to reduce property tax bills. Local services did not skip a beat. Local control means local decision making, not local taxation that threatens home ownership. 

10. Every candidate should be asked: “What have you actually done, not just talked about?” My answer: I delivered $317 million in ongoing property tax relief by overriding a governor’s veto. I sued the city of Sandpoint over an unconstitutional gun ban and then legislated the fix with SB 1374. I co-authored HB 376 from outside the legislature, and it passed the House 56-10. I killed an amnesty resolution for illegal aliens. Talk is cheap. I have the receipts. 

11. I am a proven conservative businessman who delivers results, not excuses. I fought for property tax relief and won. I fought for gun rights and won. I fought against illegal immigration and won. Even after leaving office, I kept working and got legislation passed through the House. My opponent votes to grow spending 93% of the time, opposes your right to carry on public property, and voted to criminalize your access to public lands. District 1 deserves a senator who fights for you, not one who goes along to get along. I am asking for your vote on May 19th.