Christa Hazel has announced her candidacy for the Idaho House of Representatives seat for Legislative District 4B, challenging incumbent Rep. Elaine Price, R-Coeur d’Alene, in the May Republican primary.

“I love Idaho,” Hazel said in a news release. “I love Coeur d’Alene. This is home, and our community deserves strong representation in Boise.” 

Hazel grew up in the Hayden Creek area and later settled in Coeur d’Alene, where she and her husband of 26 years raised their family. She graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School and North Idaho College before earning her bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Idaho, where she served on the Law Review. 

Hazel was elected to the Coeur d’Alene School Board in 2013 and served until 2017, including two years as board chair. Prior to her election, she co-chaired the successful 2012 school bond effort that funded improvements for local schools. 

In 2016, Hazel served as a precinct committeewoman on the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee. 

“Idahoans know how to solve Idaho’s problems,” Hazel said. “We don’t need outside political groups telling our communities what to do.” 

She said her decision to run comes from years of civic involvement and a belief that government works best when leaders stay focused on the communities they serve. 

“When elected leaders stay focused on the people they serve and the issues that affect our communities, families and businesses can thrive,” Hazel said. “When leaders lose focus — taxpayers often pay the price — something our community experienced during the turmoil at North Idaho College.” 

Just as families are accountable for how they spend the money they earn and must live within a budget, so should the government, Hazel said. 

“I don’t like wasteful spending and I don’t like government overreach,” she said. “Idaho families expect their leaders to be responsible with taxpayer dollars and focused on the needs of our communities.” 

Hazel said her priorities in the Legislature include protecting local control, keeping taxes low, supporting strong schools and workforce opportunities, and ensuring government remains accountable to the people it serves. 

A cancer survivor, Hazel said she believes access to quality health care close to home is critical for Idaho families. 

She said her approach to public service is grounded in the principles she tries to live by. 

“I’m a Republican not simply because of party affiliation, but because those principles guide how I live my life,” Hazel said. “Faith, family and freedom aren’t slogans to me,  they are responsibilities.”