Jane Muchlinski

As a girl from E. Idaho, I can relate to getting up at 3:00am to pick peas alongside migrant field workers. My summers were spent siftin’ through spuds on the conveyor belt on the farm. Riding my bike down the rows of freshly plowed potato fields with the sprinklers on-man we’d get muddy. Hiding from Ofc Craig while skipping school to cliff jump into the Snake River on hot fall days. My childhood was filled with country life experiences. My dad, a navy guy with a background in laser tech, moved us to ABQ, NM for a job at Intel. “This is a broader world” I remember thinking. And my heart exploded with admiration for diversity and various ways of living. Culture and art tapped my creative spirit and fortified my compassion for all humans. Adulthood employment brought me to the Ford dealership. At 18, I learned never take a job without health insurance. Ever. Now, still with health insurance and strength and know-how to bust a tire, I may choose heels, a dress, the big city, and glass of wine, but my family, friends, and neighbors deserve to have their piece of country heaven. What’s different between me and my conservative counterparts, is they want this life for only them. Whereas I believe this slower lifestyle is a gift for those of us living it and a treat for our cousins from afar that come visit. This country is bold, and we know how to share. All we have to do is choose to share our country values and remind ourselves what faith truly means. The world is big enough.

• I will not engage in the same tired politics of divisiveness and hate in our country. Together we can usher in a new era of progress and prosperity for our district, our state, and our America. Please join me in building a brighter future.
• I often hear adults sharing their discomfort about the work ethic and abilities of young people today and how disconnected young people are with the real world. I argue we have it all wrong. Young people are so connected. They understand the struggles in humanity because they’ve been exposed to content we avoid. They’re cognizant of everything that’s going on around them because they’re safe spaces are targets of harm. This is why I gather them to listen to their needs and allow them to share their gratitude and needs. Their biggest concerns/needs are stable housing, functioning public transportation, clean air and water, safety of their siblings, jobs for their parents, and a future without war and unbearable college debt.
• I’m an optimist so I believe MOST people work hard - at all levels - and for every cent earned. We’re all different. We’re all here together. We all have value. And we all have a place…even at the negotiating table. That’s what makes the labor forces so inspiring. It’s what makes this country so wonderful to live in. Our goals are the same. To build ourselves, community, state, nation. UNION - Latin unio(n-) ‘unity’, from Latin unus ‘one’.

Wasteful government spending has taken over our political process and Americans expect and deserve better. Our young people are not being supported by the systems expressed as an American dream resulting in unstable and unaffordable housing for themselves and possible new families. The middle class is slipping, and our elderly are left with little income, housing, and healthcare. The cyclical mess has neighbors and loved ones stepping into battle with one another. The people have had enough and we're capable of better. As an optimist, I believe our government needs a reset in order to build upon the substantial work of our elders.

I look up to Hillary Clinton. This wasn't always the case.

I struggled with her decision to stay with President Clinton, but her choice was to uphold her commitment to her marriage.  She was living her faith and once I saw her decision in that light, I respected her even more. 

She's been an advocate for women and children since she was in high school.  Her direction has never sidelined.  She demonstrates strength and smarts in a traditionally male dominated arena.  Her toughness has allowed me to see what is possible.

Leadership, optimism, compassion, organization, and trust.

I have held leadership positions since my early 20's. Those around me say I'm a natural leader with a creative and optimistic perspective. I am forward thinking and believe most things are possible - the question for our government is are they willing to put in the work?

Connectivity with people from all walks of life and various educational and occupational backgrounds.

I feel I'm already leaving a legacy. My closest friends and strangers afar say I'm unique and inspiring. I'd like to continue to lead and live with this energy and always work towards helping others.

The Borah Peak earthquake in 1983 in Challis, Idaho. I was five and remember hearing the news explain the dangers of live electrical wires. My five-year-old vision was that of an octopus in the sky with tentacles of electricity whipping down on the playground. I learned to always protect my head when things begin to shake.

My first job was babysitting for a single mom. She had two little girls, Megan and Leslie. Megan was a baby and Leslie was six or seven. When I had my first child, I named her Megan.

Eat. Pray. Love. By Elizabeth Gilbert
This book opened my eyes to living as a whole woman/person and with intent to enjoy all that is granted in this life.

The gender pay gaps and limited career advancements due to my gender have been a struggle. Over the last 25 years, I have been told I was a great candidate for a position, but the male candidate would likely get the job. Pay gaps were a challenge to internalize, but recent changes to compensation to salaried employees for overtime work balanced the gap. Thank you, Washington!

Congress' uniqueness stems from the representation of people in various communities around the country. People are more invested in a process in which they feel included, and the U.S. House of Representatives is significantly larger than other various entities of voting government. Initiating law based on the changes of the people over time is also another unique quality.

Yes. And no. Yes, having a background in law, business, finance, or project management all add to one's skills in operations. However, the construct is designed to represent people of varying lifestyles, values, upbringing, etc. Currently, the U. S. House of Representatives is weighted unevenly with representation for those solely invested in significant financial gain. The gain lands on the doorsteps of larger company's and corporations leaving the supportive workforce underrepresented.

Climate change, international war, and regressive government.

Serving five terms sounds fair with traditional job longevity in mind.

Campaigning is the most difficult part of the process. Two-year stints could potentially be limiting the success of our Congress. Term limits are a popular idea, and the voters always have the power to shift one person out of office with a newly elected candidate.

Three come to mind - Elizabeth Cheney for her poise and conviction, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for her brilliance and fresh vision, and Nancy Pelosi for her commitment to government and leadership through so many years when women were not well represented in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Listening to young people's struggles with stable housing, public transportation that works for them, opportunity outside of college, college debt, pathways to citizenship for their loved ones, and mental health and addiction top the list of concerns I wish to address at the federal level. Providing children and young people with the basic needs in our country should not be challenged nor debated at the neglectful extent in which we've been. Recently, I heard the story of a young woman, Rebecca, who was in a catastrophic auto accident - 29 years ago. Her nerve pain and traumatic brain injury leave her body struggling to communicate within itself. She shared the new opioid rules and regulations have been formatted into a "one-size-fits-all" and her mere survival is reliant upon the use of medications no longer accessible. She understands the need for change but would like her government to allow medical providers to make the decisions impacting their patient's health. I believe Becca's perspective is the case for many physicians with the expertise to care for her as an individual versus being a number in the system. Becca's story is incredible, but sadly there are thousands like hers that require the government to step outside of her survival. This rings true with reproductive health as well. The government's involvement should be driven by the medical providers and their patient's needs and not profit or stocks.

ABSOLUTELY! The country is divided roughly 50/50. The government works for the people and in order to appease one side, the opposition needs to find solutions to meet in the middle. Americans pay into a system that should work for them - and they deserve it.

Allowing the budget to teeter is unacceptable.
As a representative, I would prioritize ensuring that revenue bills promote fiscal responsibility. This includes careful consideration of tax policies and government spending to avoid wasteful spending. I would advocate for balanced budgets and effective use of taxpayer dollars.
I would focus on revenue policies that stimulate economic growth. This might involve advocating for tax reforms that incentivize investment, innovation, and job creation.
Ensuring a fair and equitable tax system would be a cornerstone of my legislative efforts. I would work to close loopholes and ensure that everyone pays their fair share, while also protecting low- and middle-income families from undue tax burdens.
Revenue bills are directly tied to funding essential social programs and services. I would prioritize revenue policies that ensure adequate funding for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and other critical public services. Balancing these needs with fiscal prudence would be a key focus.
Understanding the specific economic challenges and opportunities within my district would guide my approach to revenue bills. I would seek input from constituents and local businesses to ensure that revenue policies reflect their needs and promote local economic health.
I would be open to exploring innovative revenue solutions, such as carbon taxes or digital economy taxes, that address emerging economic trends and challenges. Ensuring that the tax system adapts to a changing economy would be an important goal.
Recognizing the importance of revenue bills, I would strive to work across the aisle to develop bipartisan solutions that garner broad support. Collaboration with colleagues would be essential to passing effective and sustainable revenue legislation.
I would aim to promote a balanced, fair, and forward-looking fiscal policy that supports economic growth, social equity, and responsible governance.

Wisely. Not strategically for future elections. The American people's money is being taken advantage of with investigations for entertainment value.

Budget, Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, Homeland Security, Small Business, and Veteran's Affairs