Naomi Preston
Party: Democrat
Age: 49
Personal: Divorced, no kids
Education: Bachelor's degree in psychology, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, Denison University, Ohio, 1977
Professional: Marketing research analyst and then assistant product manager for Kellogg Company, Battle Creek, Mich., 1978-1981. Marketing executive, Ore-Ida Foods, Boise, 1981-1988. Certified horse trainer and champion endurance rider, 1988-2001. Owner, Wild West Bakery & Espresso, Eagle, Idaho, 1994 to present.
Political: First run for elective office. Served on National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board, reporting to secretaries of Agriculture and Interior advising BLM on its wild horse program.
Key issues: Health care: Wants reforms to make health care more accessible and affordable, particularly for the elderly. Says caring for her 85-year-old mother alerted her to deficiencies in the health care system. Jobs/Economy: Favors policies designed to bring good jobs to Idaho and prevent outsourcing of American jobs overseas. Preston also lists education among her top issues.
Money raised/spent: $5,000 loan from the candidate,
Top contributors: $1,000 from Larry L. Grant of Fruitland, $500 from former Gov. Cecil Andrus, and $250 from Victoria Coelho of Eagle.
Quote: "Success to me means raising awareness of issues. It's not about me -- it's about issues."
First priority if elected: "Work tirelessly to bring good-paying jobs to Idaho and keep the jobs that are here from being outsourced overseas. I will do this by joining the Rural Working Group in Congress to be part of a coalition of representatives working for Idaho and other rural states' issues."
Website: http://www.prestonforidaho.com
