Twin Falls voters will choose two representatives for Legislative District 25 on November 3, with independent Liyah Babayan and Republican Cherie Vollmer competing for the District 25B seat. The candidates have outlined diverging priorities regarding water management, local governance, and statewide ballot measures.
Vollmer identified water infrastructure as her primary concern for the district. She emphasized the necessity of maintaining systems for production, recharge, and storage.
“Making sure we keep water infrastructure, water production, recharge and storage is extremely important,” Vollmer said.
Beyond water issues, Vollmer argued that decisions regarding growth and zoning should remain under the jurisdiction of city and county officials rather than state legislators. She also addressed a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would grant voters the authority to legalize or decriminalize marijuana and other psychoactive substances. Vollmer supports retaining the current process where such decisions are made through direct ballot initiatives.
Babayan, who has participated in petition campaigns in the Magic Valley for the last two decades, focused on fiscal policy and healthcare privacy. She stated that the state sales tax formula requires adjustment to properly recognize Twin Falls as a commercial hub.
Her top issue, however, involves government involvement in personal health care decisions. Babayan supports Proposition 1, known as the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act, which appears on the November ballot alongside the marijuana amendment.
“The infringement of government into private medical decisions and that’s presented with Prop 1 being on the ballot,” Babayan said.
The candidates hold opposing views on the proposed constitutional amendment regarding drug legalization. While Vollmer favors keeping the decision power with voters via initiatives, Babayan opposes the measure.
Voters in District 25 will cast ballots for both legislative seats and statewide measures on November 3. The election results will determine the composition of Twin Falls’ delegation to the Idaho Statehouse for the upcoming session.