This story is part of a series of candidate profiles that Idaho Education News will publish leading up to the Nov. 5 general election. Our coverage focuses on competitive races in swing districts and those that have implications for education policy. Click here to see our previously published election stories. Click here to see your ballot. 

Republican Rep. Dori Healey and Democratic challenger Shari Baber disagree sharply on an education issue that has cut somewhat along party lines.

Healey, like a number of Statehouse Republicans, has opposed Idaho Launch, GOP Gov. Brad Little’s fledgling $70 million-a-year program to provide high school graduates with aid for college or career training. Baber supports it — much like Statehouse Democrats, who have unanimously backed Launch, casting pivotal votes to nudge the program through the Legislature.

Healey and Baber are facing off in legislative District 15, a battleground district centered in West Boise. Healey, a first-term lawmaker, is the only Republican representing the district; Democrats hold the district’s other two seats.

Healey at a glance

An advanced practice registered nurse, Healey says health care is one of her top legislative priorities — along with the inflation issues she hears about regularly on the campaign trail. But as the mother of two school-aged children, she says education is always on the “forefront” of her mind.

Healey says she is “passionate” about career readiness, but she has opposed Launch.

The first-year program could prove to be successful, Healey said in an interview, but she has concerns. She’s worried that some young adults will be on the hook to repay the state up to $8,000 if they fail to finish a program. And without additional classroom space, Launch won’t help students get the training they need to pursue an in-demand career.

“Our nursing schools are full,” Healey said. “This didn’t help anybody go to nursing school.”

Healey says she doesn’t hear many of her constituents bring up the contentious issue of private school choice — and she attributes that to the wealth of learning options the West Ada School District already offers. (District 15 takes in portions of the Boise and West Ada districts.)

However, Healey said she is open to supporting a school choice bill, as long as the program doesn’t cut into public school funding.

“I think there’s a way to meet everybody’s needs without impacting our public schools in a negative way,” she said. “I’m going to be very cautious and take all that into consideration.”

Healey sponsored one education-related bill this session, regarding immunizations. Her proposal would have required that if a school informs parents of state immunization guidelines, the school must also inform parents about their rights to opt their children out of immunizations. The House passed Healey’s bill on a party-line vote, but the Senate did not consider it.

Healey says she is pro-vaccine: “As a healthcare provider, why would I not be?” But she says the current law is “choppy” and hard for parents to follow. “The whole thing needs rewritten in a clear fashion.”

Healey has raised about $46,500 for her re-election campaign. Many of her largest contributions have come from the heath care sector — including St. Luke’s Health Plan Inc., Blue Cross of Idaho and the Idaho Health Care Association PAC. She has also received $1,000 from House Majority Leader Jason Monks, R-Meridian.

Baber at a glance

Baber moved to Boise in 1992, following her brother, who played football at Boise State University in the 1970s. When she arrived in Boise, Baber found that there were no salons open that specialized in cutting textured hair; she opened Cut ‘n Up and Company, which has been in operation for more than 25 years.

Baber was active in starting the Boise Soul Food Extravaganza, the Boise Soul Food Festival and Brown Like Me, a mentorship program for students of color. She is president of the Boise parks and recreation commission.

Baber says her life experience shapes her support for Launch. While college was a good fit for her brothers, Baber said she knew she wanted to pursue a trade — and a job, like the one she has, which allows her to be in daily contact with people.

Baber also differs with Healey on other education issues.

• Baber stopped short of saying her mind is made up on private school choice. However, she says her children benefited from programs offered in public schools — from musical ensembles to an individualized education program. She is concerned that a school choice program could siphon money away from public schools and their menu of offerings. “Public money should fund public education.”
• Baber criticized a 2024 law that allows patrons to file complaints over library materials they consider harmful to children — and seek civil damages if a library fails to act. She said libraries were instrumental to her in her youth. “I spent most of my reading time in the library. … It was a safe place.” Healey supported the law, and in an interview, she downplayed the chances that libraries would be liable for civil penalties.

Baber also said developers should be expected to invest in the neighborhoods where they build, by helping to build schools. “There’s nothing wrong with giving back.” For years, education lobbyists have sought a law allowing development impact fees to go toward schools, but the Legislature has resisted.

Baber also says she would like to work on health care and substance abuse issues. She says she is 33 years sober from a drug addiction, and says she lost a grandson to a fentanyl overdose. “We’re acting like it isn’t a problem,” she said. “It is a problem.”

Baber has raised close to $39,000 for her campaign. Two of her largest donations have come from the Democrats who hold the other two seats in District 15: Sen. Rick Just and Rep. Steve Berch. Her fundraising total includes $2,000 she loaned to her campaign.

Disclosure: The Idaho Land Fund has contributed to Rep. Dori Healey’s campaign. J.B. Scott — the founding chairman of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, which funds Idaho Education News — is affiliated with the Idaho Land Fund.