John McCrostie Releases Statement About Idaho’s Gay Marriage Ruling

May 16, 2014 | Posted in Issues, Press Releases | By

May 13, 2014
Contact: Emily Walton, campaign manager
Email: waltonemily@gmail.com
Phone: 208-571-4592

John McCrostie Releases Statement About Idaho’s Gay Marriage Ruling

BOISE, Idaho – John McCrostie, a Democratic legislative candidate in district 16 issued a statement today regarding the ruling on gay marriage in Idaho.

“As Idaho’s only openly gay Democratic candidate, I am thrilled to hear that our state’s gay marriage ban was overturned by Judge Dale this afternoon. My husband and I were married in Hawaii last December. While our marriage is recognized in 17 other states, adding Idaho to that list holds a great deal of personal meaning. All Idahoans deserve equal rights, and marriage is one of those rights.”

Endorsements for McCrostie include Garden City Councilperson and former District 16 State Representative Elfreda Higgins, Boise City Council President Maryanne Jordan, former Ada County Clerk Dave Navarro, State Representatives John Gannon and Donna Pence, former State Senators Nicole LeFavour, Diane Bilyeu and lieutenant governor candidate and former State Senator Bert Marley as well as former Idaho Human Rights Commission director Marilyn Shuler.

More information about McCrostie can be found on his website, www.mccrostie4idaho.com.
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NEWS FROM JOHN MCCROSTIE FOR IDAHO HOUSE SEAT 16A

May 16, 2014 | Posted in Campaign Info, Press Releases | By

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Patti Murphy
208-336-3424/208-761-4202 cell

Legislative candidate John McCrostie announces further endorsements from city, county, and state elected officials

BOISE, Idaho (May 13, 2014) – John McCrostie, Democratic candidate for Idaho House Seat 16 A, announces several additional endorsements from current and former city, county, and state leaders.

Further endorsements for McCrostie include Garden City Councilperson and former District 16 State Representative Elfreda Higgins, Boise City Council President Maryanne Jordan, former Ada County Clerk Dave Navarro, State Representatives John Gannon and Donna Pence, former State Senators Nicole LeFavour, Diane Bilyeu and lieutenant governor candidate and former State Senator Bert Marley.

These are in addition to key endorsements from the Idaho Education Association and two former presidents, Sherrie Wood and Dick Chilcote, which McCrostie announced last week.

A 14-year resident of Garden City and an Idaho schoolteacher for 11 years, McCrostie has served as a three-year executive board member of the Boise Education Association, a four-year state delegate to the Idaho Education Association’s Delegate Assembly, and a three-year national representative to the National Education Association’s Representative Assembly. The NEA recently honored McCrostie as a 2013 Top Political Activist.

“It means a great deal to me to receive the support and confidence of these well-respected Idahoans, each of whom has made a difference in our communities,” said McCrostie. “The fact that these city, county, and state leaders recognize my hard work, experience, and commitment as a team player in our community is incredibly humbling. I have learned a great deal by having these people in my life as friends and mentors, and I hope to continue their legacy in the statehouse as I continue advocating for education and equality issues.”
Endorsements:

Elfreda Higgins, Garden City Councilperson, former District 16 State Representative: “John’s knowledge, leadership and experience will allow him to be an effective legislator for District 16.”

Maryanne Jordan, Boise City Council President: “As an educator, law student, and long-time resident of District 16, John has the experience and commitment to make a positive contribution to the legislature.”

J. David Navarro, former Ada County Clerk: “John is a very hard worker, frequently working long and late hours so that his students succeed. John is passionate about the things he believes in, particularly with issues of education and equality. And, John has been very involved in our community for many years as a leader as well as one who rolls up his sleeves and gets his hands dirty. John McCrostie is the best choice for House Seat 16A.”

John Gannon, State Representative: “One of the first Luna Law opponents I met was John McCrostie. I have a picture of people lined up to testify against this effort to replace teachers with online education and to weaken public schools. Two or three people away from me – John McCrostie. I later worked with him and others to support the referendums and the recall of Mr. Luna, and John was invaluable in framing issues. John was there in the trenches advocating and working for our schools.”

Nicole LeFavour, former State Senator: “We have enough politicians in the statehouse and need people whose experience in the real world will hold other legislators accountable and make better policy for our schools and for those who have truly faced discrimination — of all kinds.

“We have suffered greatly not having a gay or transgender person in the statehouse these past two years. There’s no one that democrats or republicans have to look in the eye, no one in the room when conversations about our lives happen. I feel if John had been in the statehouse this past year, as a statesman and a lawmaker, Idaho would have added the words. We desperately need his voice speaking for teachers and for gay people.”

More information about McCrostie can be found on his website, www.mccrostie4idaho.com.

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Idaho Education Association Endorses John McCrostie in District 16 House Seat A

May 8, 2014 | Posted in Issues, Press Releases | By

Contact: Emily Walton, campaign manager
Email: waltonemily@gmail.com
Phone: 208-571-4592

Idaho Education Association Endorses John McCrostie in District 16 House Seat A

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Education Association (IEA) has endorsed candidate John McCrostie in his bid for House District 16 Seat A in the Democratic Primary.

“The IEA’s endorsement is foundational to my campaign for House Seat 16A,” said McCrostie. “As an educator who teaches on the front line daily, I’ll bring a unique perspective to the legislature. The IEA’s seal of approval on my race validates my work within the IEA to fight off the Luna Laws and to improve dialog with legislators regarding important education issues.”

Sherri Wood and Dick Chilcote, two past presidents of the Idaho Education Association also endorsed McCrostie.

Wood, who served as IEA president from 2005 to 2011, was an Idaho teacher for 34 years. In her endorsement statement, Wood said, “John McCrostie is an outstanding leader in his school, his union and his community, and he will continue his leadership in the House of Representatives. John has been a concerned, active and productive member of District 16 for over 14 years. He has the ability to speak on behalf of the people of District 16 because of his longstanding involvement.”

Chilcote, a 20-year Idaho educator, served as IEA president between 1989 and 1993. His endorsement states, “The people of Idaho value their public education system. Every poll shows that the electorate expects that the Idaho Legislature should properly support and fund our public schools. What candidate for the Idaho House from District 16 understands the needs of those public schools better than John McCrostie? No one. John has proven his worth in Idaho classrooms. He has dedicated his professional life to the education of Idaho’s students. He will work in the Idaho Legislature to provide the proper support and funding that the voters in District 16 expect.”

A 14-year resident of Garden City and an Idaho schoolteacher for 11 years, McCrostie has served as an executive board member of the Boise Education Association, a three-year state delegate to the Idaho Education Association’s Delegate Assembly, and a two-year national representative to the National Education Association’s Representative Assembly. The NEA recently honored McCrostie as a 2013 Top Political Activist.

Additional education endorsements for McCrostie include Frank Robinson, IEA Board of Directors; Ron Freeman, Boise Education Association (BEA) High School Director; Pat St. Tourangeau, BEA High School Director; Becky Allen, BEA Elementary Director; Adria Samano, BEA Elementary Director; Christine Simon, BEA Elementary Director; and Barb Smith, BEA Elections Secretary.

More information about McCrostie can be found on his website, www.mccrostie4idaho.com.

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John McCrostie Comments on the Arrest of Former State Senator Nicole LeFavour

February 4, 2014 | Posted in Press Releases | By

Media Contact:
Patti Murphy, Murphy Media Services
208-336-3424/208-761-4202 cell

BOISE, Idaho, Feb. 3, 2014 — “Today my friend and former State Senator Nicole LeFavour was arrested during a rally at the Idaho State Capitol in support of adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Idaho’s human rights protections. LeFavour’s arrest comes at a critical point for the State of Idaho where LGBT citizens are fighting for protection against education, housing and employment discrimination,” said John McCrostie, legislative candidate for Idaho House Seat 16A.”

“As an educator and student myself, I know how important it is that our schools are safe spaces. I stand firmly with Nicole and the other courageous citizens who were also arrested today as they took a stand for equality and against discrimination. I look forward to sponsoring and supporting legislation that affirms the equality of all Idahoans. ”

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John McCrostie announces candidacy for Idaho House Seat 16A

December 20, 2013 | Posted in Press Releases | By

Media Contact:
Patti Murphy, Murphy Media Services
208-336-3424/208-761-4202 cell

BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 20, 2013 — John McCrostie, a 14-year resident of Garden City and an Idaho schoolteacher for 11 years, has formally announced his candidacy for the Idaho Legislature, House Seat 16 A, which will become open when Rep. Grant Burgoyne runs for the seat of retiring Sen. Les Bock.

McCrostie has served as an executive board member of the Boise Education Association, a three-year state delegate to the Idaho Education Association’s Delegate Assembly, and a two-year national representative to the National Education Association’s Representative Assembly. The NEA recently honored McCrostie as a 2013 Top Political Activist.

McCrostie said that his involvement in his local community, experience as an Idaho schoolteacher, activism on behalf of Idaho schools and students and commitment to supporting diversity in the workplace and community, are the strengths he will bring to the legislature.

“Tom Luna and many of our Republican legislators have failed to listen to our voice,” said McCrostie. “Too many of our elected leaders aspire to political gain without a heart for service. However, in District 16, our legislators actually listen to us, and they reflect our values. Like the great Democratic D16 legislators who have served us dutifully and faithfully for the last two decades, I will uphold your values. I have no desire for political gain, but I am here to serve you.

“How can I, John McCrostie, bring the people of district 16 together? The same way that I bring the flutes together with the clarinets together with the trumpets and the rest of the members of the band, and then watch them receive a superior rating. The same way I teach my jazz students to speak with their own individual voices through their saxes, trumpets, and trombones. And, the same way that I worked with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to collaboratively pass our Boise Schools levy, and to repeal the Luna Laws.”

McCrostie has taught music in Mountain Home, Gooding and Boise. He is also currently attending Concordia University School of Law, and will earn his law degree in 2015.

For more information, visit www.mccrostie4idaho.com.

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