Tom Trail
Party: Republican
Personal: Married to Jo Ann. Three grown children, six grandchildren. Grew up on a 500-acre family farm in the area.
Education: Graduated from Moscow High School Earned a B.S. in Animal Science/Agriculture from the University of Idaho. Masters in Education from the University of Maryland. Doctorate of Education from Montana State University.
Professional: 1953-1961 member of Moscow U.S. Army Reserve Medical Company. 1959-1960 Ag Extension Agent for the UI 1963-65 Peace Corps team administrator in Ecuador. Worked for 24 years as a UI ag extension agent and Washington State University extension training specialist. 1966-69 Livestock specialist in Chile 1969-1971 worked in Columbia as head of the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture Social Service Program.
Political: Currently in his 4th term in the Idaho House.
Key issues: Public and higher education funding are his two top priorities. Other key issues would be a couple of constitutional amendments, one to protect fishing and hunting rights of Idaho citizens. The other is to require the Legislature to follow the laws that we have in respect to open meetings. Also supporting congressional delegation in repealing some of the onorous parts of the Patriot Act. Another important issue, legalizing the production of industrial hemp for farmers as an alternate crop. Canadian, Asian and European farmers are growing it and selling it to the US. Hemp factory in Spokane buys it for fabric. They would love to buy it from farmers. Of course economic development, jobs for small businesses, farmers and working families.
Quote: "Two words I have over my desk in Boise, constituents first. Eight years of results and 30 bills passed."
Key influence: Gov. Nelson Rockefeller of New York, a moderate Republican
Favorite book: The Bible
First priority if elected: "To support increased funding for public and higher education." "We are in an education economy."
Website: http://users.moscow.com/ttrail/
