Gabbert seeking nomination as Attorney General

Central Idaho attorney Myron Dan Gabbert is seeking the Republican nomination for Attorney General.

Gabbert is Adams County's prosecuting attorney, resides in New Meadows and also maintains a private law practice in McCall. An attorney in Idaho since his graduation from law school in 1967, he began as a law clerk to former Idaho Supreme Court Justice Joseph McFadden. He was a principal in both large and small Boise law firms prior to moving his office in McCall in 1992. He divided his time between McCall and Boise until he began living in the Central Idaho area full-time in 1994.

He is a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Law, a past president of the Dawn Optimist Club, the Kiwanis Club of Boise, and Boise's Estate Planning Council and was named Kiwanian of the year for 1991 and 1992.

"Idaho needs an experienced attorney as Attorney General who can efficiently and effectively represent the people of the State of Idaho-an attorney who has actually functioned as a traditional, private practice lawyer. This position needs a person who has had experience with the entire range of laws-versus someone who has only developed a specialty in a 'niche area'," he said. "We need someone who has cared enough about the people of Idaho that he has helped them for years with their legal needs; in lieu of someone who has been on a government payroll all his or her career," he said.

He noted that the position includes one of the five memberships on the state Land Board.

"My 39 years experience with Idaho real estate law should be of help to other board members in dealing with the issues presented to them," he said. Proceeds from leases and sales on those lands go largely to the Idaho School Endowment Fund. "We need a leader who understands the importance of good management of our state lands to maximize their benefit for the school children of Idaho," he said.

Gabbert also said the state needs leadership which understands "...the delicate balance between the punishment of criminals and their rehabilitation, and can promote the kinds of programs that will keep criminals off our streets at the least long-term cost to the taxpayers."

He said that he is stressing his experience, his integrity and his availability to run a vigorous campaign in the general election.

"Idaho needs leaders with vision, decisiveness and experience. We need people who will do the right thing without wetting a finger and putting it in the political wind. We need leaders who will act courageously, even when their decisions are unpopular. We need people with experience who have spent time with citizens and helped them with their concerns. We don't need more professional politicians or bureaucrats," he said.

Gabbert continued, "The attorney general needs to be an able to oversee intelligent legislation that will encourage businesses to locate here and provide solid employment opportunities for our citizens, particularly our youth from our rural areas, such as Adams County, who now have to move elsewhere to find work. We need to do a better job of insulating this state from the volatile, up and-down national economy. What we don't need is more go-with-the-flow 'leadership' or leaders who believe they are exempt from following the laws applicable to all people. Not least, we need politicians who will heed the voice of the people," he continued.

"I can pledge right now that, if I'm successful, I'll serve no more than two terms as attorney general. Our public officials need to be accessible. I plan to assess the feasibility of establishing branch offices of the Attorney General around the state. If they appear cost-effective, they will enable Idahoans to reach us with a minimum of trouble and expense. There will be no barricades or armed guards around these offices," Gabbert said.

"It is essential that Idaho have an Attorney General who is experienced, knowledgeable about the concerns of all Idahoans and dedicated to their welfare," he said. "I can pledge right now that, if I'm successful, I'll serve no more than two terms as attorney general. Our public officials need to be accessible. I plan to assess the feasibility of establishing branch offices of the Attorney General around the state. If they appear cost-effective, they will enable Idahoans to reach us with a minimum of trouble and expense. There will be no barricades or armed guards around these offices," Gabbert said.

"It is essential that Idaho have an Attorney General who is experienced, knowledgeable about the concerns of all Idahoans and dedicated to their welfare," he said.