With election season approaching, I want to provide some perspective on what it truly takes to serve in the Idaho state Legislature. I have always been a data collector. Each year, I track thousands of data points — from voting records to comparative policy metrics. But today I want to focus on the data that impacts a legislator’s daily life. For those considering a run for office, here is a look at the “hidden” side of the job.
In 2025, the 12-week session required 60 days away from home. While I see my wife and children on weekends, those days are often filled with catching up on my private-sector professional duties. Even after the session ends, the work continues. I spent an additional 57 days in hotels for interim committees, task forces and official assignments. In total, I spent nearly one-third of the year away from my family.
The role demands constant engagement. Constituent calls, endless emails, media interviews and town halls. Last year alone, I put 55,000 miles on my vehicle traversing our great state. While we receive a per diem and mileage reimbursement during the session, those costs often fall on the legislator during the interim.
Legislative pay is roughly $25,000 per year, which, after taxes and deductions, leaves a take-home of just over $19,000. When I calculated my total time spent (1,920 hours), it amounted to a 40-hour work week for 48 weeks of the year. For a professional with a graduate degree, that breaks down to a take-home rate of roughly $9.89 per hour.
Like many of my colleagues, I must maintain a separate, flexible career to make this service possible. We don’t do this for the paycheck. We do it because we love our communities. I am constantly amazed by the effort my colleagues put in, each bringing their own unique expertise to the table.
While others focus on water rights, education, or tax policy, I am honored to lend my professional background to mental health and justice-related issues. We cannot all be experts in everything, but we are committed to learning as much as possible to serve you well.
It is a privilege to participate in this process, and I hope those who choose to run for office find the work as rewarding as I do and will now be a bit more informed about the commitment it takes to truly work for the people.
Read more on Idaho State Journal
