Steve Pankey

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Steven Pankey

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 15, 2018

Education

High school

Alternative High School

Associate

Aims Community College

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Personal

Religion

Christian

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Personal website

Steven Pankey (Republican Party) ran for election for Governor of Idaho. He lost in the Republican primary on May 15, 2018.

Pankey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.

Prior to that, Pankey was a Constitution Party candidate for Governor of Idaho in the 2014 elections. Steve Pankey lost the general election on November 4, 2014.

Biography

Pankey was born in Ventura, California in 1951. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Panama.

Education

• Graduate, Alternative High School (La Puente, California)
• Associate's degree, Aims Community College

Elections

2018

See also: Idaho gubernatorial election, 2018

General election

General election for Governor of Idaho

Brad Little defeated Paulette Jordan, Bev Boeck, and Walter Bayes in the general election for Governor of Idaho on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brad Little (R)	59.8	361,661
		Paulette Jordan (D)	38.2	231,081
	Submit photo	Bev Boeck (L)	1.1	6,551
	Submit photo	Walter Bayes (Constitution Party)	1.0	5,787
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	51

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 605,131
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Idaho

Paulette Jordan defeated A.J. Balukoff and Peter Dill in the Democratic primary for Governor of Idaho on May 15, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Paulette Jordan	58.4	38,505
		A.J. Balukoff	40.1	26,423
		Peter Dill	1.4	954

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 65,882
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Idaho

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Idaho on May 15, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brad Little	37.3	72,548
		Raúl Labrador	32.6	63,478
	Submit photo	Tommy Ahlquist	26.2	51,008
		Lisa Marie	1.7	3,397
		Steven Pankey	1.4	2,704
		Harley Brown	0.4	874
	Submit photo	Ben Cannady	0.3	527

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 194,536
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2014

See also: Idaho gubernatorial election, 2014

Pankey ran for election to the office of Governor of Idaho on the Constitution Party ticket. On August 13, 2014, delegates to the Idaho Constitution Party convention voted to withdraw the party's backing for Pankey following the publication of a letter Pankey had written to Attorney General Lawrence Wasden in support of same-sex marriage. Since Pankey had previously been selected as the party's nominee and declined to drop out of the race, he remained on the ballot as the Constitution Party nominee. However, the party nominated Paul Venable to run as a write-in candidate in the general election. The general election took place on November 4, 2014.

Results

General election

Governor of Idaho, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Butch Otter Incumbent	53.5%	235,405
	Democratic	A.J. Balukoff	38.6%	169,556
	Libertarian	John T. Bujak	4.1%	17,884
	Independent	Jill Humble	2%	8,801
	Constitution	Steve Pankey	1.2%	5,219
	Independent	Pro-Life	0.7%	2,870
	N/A	Write-ins	0%	95
Total Votes				439,830
Election results via Idaho Secretary of State

2010

See also: Idaho lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2010

Pankey sought the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in the 2010 election. He was defeated by Brad Little.

2010 Race for Lieutenant Governor - Republican Primary
Candidates		Percentage
Joshua Blessinger (R)		18.9%
Brad Little (R)		67.5%
Steven Dana Pankey (R)		13.6%
Total votes		141,357

Campaign themes

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys

Steven Pankey participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on May 8, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Steven Pankey's responses follow below.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

“

Return Idaho to the God of the Bible and Constitutional principles. Limit Idaho State spending to Constitutional Limits. Create a safe and moral Idaho.

”

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

“

Limited State Government and Limited Spending. A lot of mischief is stopped by Limited spending.

”

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Steven Pankey answered the following:

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?

“

Jesus Christ. He is my Lord and Savior, my rock and guide.

”

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?

“

Nehemiah in the Bible. Nehemiah is an example of godly wisdom to rebuild a State.

”

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

“

Integrity 101.

”

What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?

“

Like President Washington, I will do my best to spend the first hour of everyday on my knees seeking God's guidance.

”

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

“

Simplify and focus government on the basics.

”

What legacy would you like to leave?

“

One who followed God on His Terms.

”

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at that time?

“

The 1954 Johnson Amendment taking away churches 1st Amendment Right to criticize elected officials.

”

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

“

School janitor, a year.

”

What happened on your most awkward date?

“

Nothing.

”

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

“

Thanksgiving. Americans need to be thankful for God's Blessings.

”

What is your favorite book? Why?

“

The Bible. It gives God's Wisdom.

”

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be?

“

None.

”

What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?

“

My Bible. It is my guide.

”

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

“

Trust and Obey.

”

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

“

Wisdom.

”

A governor is the top executive authority in his or her state. What does that mean do you?

“

Absolute need to be humble before God before standing before men and women.

”

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

“

Safe, prosperous and moral. Keep the power with the citizens.

”

Different states require governors to have different degrees of responsibility for the state budgeting process. If it were your choice, what do you believe is the appropriate degree of gubernatorial involvement with this process in your state?

“

The state legislators make laws. The governor executes the laws. Idaho's Constitution calls for Limited spending.

”

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

“

When necessary. I will veto unconstitutional and immoral legislation.

”

If the governor's office in your state does not have the line-item veto power, do you believe it should? Why or why not?

“

Not an issue in Idaho.

”

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

“

Integrity 101.

”

What do you love most about your state?

“

It's core values.

”

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

“

Maintaining traditional core values with a Biblical and Constitutional perspective.

”

Campaign website

The following issue statements were found on Pankey's official campaign website. For a full list of issue statements, click here.

“	Education 'Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall be forever encouraged.' -The Northwest Ordinance July 13, 1787 'Civilization is not inherited, it has to be learned and earned by each generation anew.' -Will Durant Steve graduated from an alternative high school in La Puente, California. Steve earned an Associate’s Degree from Aims Community College in Greeley, Colorado. Steve understands the need for effective Idaho education. Steve wants to make Idaho public schools number one in the nation for effective, efficient education. Steve supports parental choice in their child's education: homeschool, online--virtual school, private school, charter school, or public school. Local school board control of local school curriculum. Steve strongly opposes common core. Common core promotes a 'one size fits all' approach. Common core in full implementation would nullify homeschools, online--virtual schools, private schools and charter schools. Common core requires the child's family personal data collection for nefarious purposes. America's founding fathers feared ignorance and concentration of powers in government. Common core promotes ignorance and concentration of power in government. There is nothing redeemable in common core, it is rotten to the core. Steve supports non-traditional learning programs. Before World War II, most public-school education ended at the 8th grade. Mennonite Church school education continues to end at graduation from the eighth grade. Steve supports students wanting vocational careers to apprentice in a specific vocation in lieu of high school. At the age of eighteen the student with four years apprenticeship is a self-supporting journeyman in his or her trade vocation. Self-esteem and an earned paycheck will promote productive, happy young people. Jobs 'The reaching of an objective is but the starting point for departures toward new goals.' -Ettor Bugatti 'Idaho is humbly indebted to our veterans. It is they who preserve, (often at immense sacrifice), our Nation's freedom. We are obligated to respect their extraordinary valor; therefore, we shall forever honor our sacred trust with and to Idaho’s veterans. The provision of equitable pay to our men and women on active duty, healthcare, education, rehabilitation, pension, compensation and other benefits to veterans are part of America’s sacred trust. As governor, I will vigorously resist any attempt by any government agency to willfully void or reduce earned benefits to Idaho veterans and their survivors. Idaho's trust shall not be breached. I encourage Idaho employers to hire our returning heroes as they have proven to be men and women of valor.' Steve Pankey January 1, 2014 Idaho is a small business state. Steve supports small business / farm & ranch government deregulation. Steve supports a fair and level uniform low rate business tax across all industries.... Favoring none, penalizing none. Steve supports an Idaho Israel high tech alliance, adding high paying jobs. Idaho & Israel together creating leading edge technology! The above simple, clear, common sense direction will greatly add Idaho good paying jobs. Idaho Budget 'The power to tax involves the power to destroy.' -John Marshall chief justice, U.S. Supreme court 1819 State of Idaho, stop throwing money at everything! Q. Steve, why don't you have a proposed Idaho state budget? A., I need accurate figures upon which to create a proposed Idaho state budget. When I become "Governor elect," I will have the legal authority to question state department heads, find out the amounts needed, and create a realistic state budget before being sworn in as Idaho’s governor. I would rather eliminate Idaho government waste than raise taxes. First, we need accurate figures, minus waste, then make a state budget. As Idaho’s next governor, Steve has the following four step state budget goals: 1) Same state dollars better spent; 2) Reduce state spending to constitutional limits; 3) In two terms, eliminate Idaho’s state income tax; 4) Eliminate federal money in the state of Idaho. + Prevent fraud, waste and mismanagement; + Reduce state spending to constitutional limits. Stop false or misleading information; + Work to do more with less. Same dollars better spent; + A balanced Idaho state budget, limiting Idaho state government to essentials; + A fair and level uniform low rate business tax across all industries.... Favoring none, penalizing none. Limit state spending to constitutional limits in 2018 and beyond. Constitutionally limited state spending will defund non-traditional core value state spending: Defund abortion in Idaho's state budget Defund decadence in Idaho’s state budget Defund common core in Idaho's state budget Defund George Soros programs in Idaho's state budget	”
—Steve Pankey

2014

Pankey's campaign website listed the following themes for the 2014 race:

“	STEVE’S PRIORITIES AS IDAHO’S GOVERNOR Education: Make Idaho’s schools number one in the nation. Jobs: Both High Tech and Low Tech. Veterans: Ethically meet the needs of Idaho’s returning Veterans. Simple Language Legislation that says what it means, and means what it says. Simple Language Legislation is a Check and Balance on Idaho State Government. I intend to keep simple issues simple, and bring together competent people to resolve Idaho’s complex issues. Idaho has hope through knowledge and progressive solutions.	”
—Steve Pankey's campaign website, (2014)

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Pankey currently resides in Lincoln County, Idaho. He is a born-again Christian.

See also

• Governor of Idaho
• Idaho gubernatorial election, 2014
• Idaho gubernatorial election, 2018

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic
• Governor of Idaho
• Campaign website