'Traditional' Republican seeks Otter seat

Sheila Sorensen says her competitors say she isn't Republican enough. The other candidates for Congress "are trying to be the most conservative, but I'm not," she said. She maintains that she is a traditional Republican who believes in less government and personal freedoms. Sorensen is running for the first congressional district position in Idaho that's currently occupied by C.L. "Butch" Otter. Otter is running for Idaho governor. Sorensen will face five other Republicans in the May 23 primary: Bill Sali, Norm Semanko, Keith Johnson, Robert Vasquez and Skip Brandt. Sorensen served as an Idaho state senator from 1992 to 2004 and in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1988 to 1992. Her priorities in Congress would include illegal immigration, public lands, health care and education. "Illegal immigration is on everybody's minds right now," she said. Sorensen favors giving employers the tools they need to ensure everyone they hire is eligible to work in the United States. She added that enforcement agencies need the tools, technology and manpower to prevent illegal immigration. She said the country should expand the temporary worker visa program, expand and enhance detention and deportation systems. Sorensen said she will oppose any legislation that grants amnesty to illegal immigrants. "An even bigger issue is illegal drugs over the border. We can't control drugs unless we control the borders," she said. She also opposes selling 200,000 acres of national forest land - including more than 26,000 acres in Idaho. The sale of the lands would allow for funding of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, sponsored in 2000 by Senators Larry Craig of Idaho and Ron Wyden of Oregon. But Sorensen called selling the lands only a short-term fix for the rural communities and schools. She said the Idaho congressional delegation, working with others who have a common interest, can find funding sources for the Craig-Wyden Act. Sorensen, a former nurse practitioner, said her background has given her a greater understanding of health care issues. She backs medical care savings accounts, which she says would allow patients to have more involvement and control over the cost of their health care. She also proposes giving tax credits to small businesses that provide health insurance to their employees. Sorensen said getting out of Iraq is important but people need to remember why the United States is there. "I recognize there are quite a few people concerned about Iraq," she said. "But we should keep 9/11 in the back of our minds; we can't sit back and do nothing." Because Idaho only has two representatives, it's critical they recognize what is important to Idaho and to communicate with people at home in Idaho, she said. Candidate Bio NAME: Sheila Sorensen RUNNING FOR: Congress, Idaho's First District PERSONAL: Sheila, 58, is married to Dean Sorensen. She has five children and nine grandchildren. Omie Drawhorn can be reached
at (208) 882-5561, ext. 234, or by
e-mail at odrawhorn@dnews.com.