Tommy Ahlquist is the third Republican to throw his hat in the race to be Idaho’s governor. He made his bid official Tuesday by filing the requisite paperwork for the 2018 race.
A member of the LDS church, Ahlquist is the Chief Operating Officer of the Gardner Company – the developer who has helped revitalized downtown Boise. Before working for Gardner, he was an emergency room doctor for almost two decades.
The Statesman reports the 49-year-old joins two other candidates already in the governor’s race. State Senator Russ Fulcher is running, as is Idaho Lieutenant Governor Brad Little. Congressional Representative Raul Labrador is also said to be mulling a run for the state’s top executive position.
Ahlquist says he wants to improve Idaho’s education system, fix the state’s healthcare system and build the state’s economy.
This is his first run for public office.
For more local news, follow the KBSX newsroom on Twitter @KBSX915
Copyright 2017 Boise State Public Radio