Earl Bennett
Party: Republican
Personal: Married, wife Carol
Education: High School in New York, Morrissville Eaton Central School University of Delaware. Graduated in 1968 with a B.A. in Geology. North Carolina State University at Raleigh, M.S. in Geology 1968. University of Idaho. Ph.D. in Geology 1973.
Professional: After finishing high school, he joined the US Air Force for four years. Worked as a UI research associate for a few years before being hired by the Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology at UI in 1973. Became Associate Director of the Bureau in 1986 and State Geologist in 1989. 1997 - Appointed Dean of the UI College of Mines and Earth Resources and Director of the State Survey. 2002 - Dean of the new College of Science before retiring in 2003.
Political: First run at public office. As a university dean and Idaho State Geologist he's had considerable experience working with both state and federal government. Sat in for District 6 Rep Tom Trail for a week in the Legislature.
Key issues: Key issues: Charter Schools, has nothing against them but believes they have to be held accountable to at least the same standards that our public schools are. Also believes they should be supervised locally, not by the statewide commission that the governor has set up. Aquifer in Moscow/Pullman and groundwater use is a high priority. Has legislation in mind to raise awareness of water conservation, including a tax credit for it. University of Idaho accounts for 50 percent of Latah County's economy. "It's a big big issue for us." "I intend to be an unabashed spokesperson ... for the quality of education and research that is being done at the University of Idaho if I'm elected."
Quote: "I'm a moderate republican and I feel that the people of Latah County will be better served by having a republican in the Legislature working on their isses because the republicans maintain such an overwhelming majority in our Legislature."
Key influence: A professor in University of Delaware
Favorite book: There's so many hundreds and hundreds that are great.
First priority if elected: "To represent the desires and needs of the people of Latah County includes being the spokesperson for the University of Idaho."
Website: www.earlhbennett.com
