Ethan Neff, a first-time candidate for Idaho’s State Senate District 30, recently joined NewsTalk 107.9 to introduce himself and discuss his platform ahead of the May 19 primary. Neff, who is challenging incumbent Senator Julie VanOrden, stated that his decision to seek office was motivated by his experiences during 2020–2021, when COVID-era shutdowns impacted his business and prompted him to take a more active role in conservative advocacy.
A central pillar of Neff’s platform is education reform. Drawing on 20 years of experience in the education sector, Neff expressed strong support for school choice initiatives, specifically highlighting House Bill 93. The bill provides a parent tax credit of up to $5,000 for families utilizing private schools or homeschooling. Neff argued that parents should have primary authority over their children’s education and advocated for policies that empower both parents and classroom teachers over systemic administrative obstacles.
Regarding immigration and economic policy, Neff emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of existing laws. He characterized illegal immigration as a primary concern and suggested that while he views measures like E-Verify as “knee-jerk reactions,” they may be necessary under current conditions to protect Idaho workers. Furthermore, he called for widespread deregulation, particularly in the real estate and development sectors, to stimulate local economic growth and reduce government interference in private business.
Neff also addressed water rights, a critical issue for his agricultural constituency. He claimed that eastern Idaho is currently at a disadvantage in state water management and suggested that long-standing guarantees for Twin Falls have negatively impacted farmers in his district. He pledged to be a stronger voice for eastern Idaho in Boise to prevent any “monopoly” over water control.
When asked to distinguish himself from the incumbent, Neff pointed to what he described as a difference in core values. He framed his candidacy around “traditional American values,” citing his support for the nuclear family and constitutional adherence. He criticized Sen. VanOrden’s voting record, alleging that she has occasionally voted with Democrats and has been too aligned with teacher unions. Neff concluded the interview by describing himself as a “statesman” committed to transparency and the rule of law.
