New Legislator Profile: Senator Andy Vidak

In 2009-2010, we were running out of water and I saw folks, real good, hard-working people standing in food lines getting food from China when they should have been working in this beautiful valley that has so many natural resources.  When I saw them getting carrots grown from China in the state food lines it made me mad and I had to get off the tailgate and got to work and try to do something. I ran for Congress and learned a lot from that experience.  I went back to the ranch and then the opportunity to serve in the Senate opened up.  I did a lot of thinking and praying about it and wondered could I win? Yes, I thought I could, but the more important question was can I make a difference once I got there.  It wasn't just about winning, and, yes, I think I can make a difference.  So we went after it and here I am.

The Valley desperately needs jobs.  Job creation is a top priority for me.  We desperately need water, so getting water storage will also be a focus.  We need affordable, sustainable water and we need affordable sustainable energy.  Coming from a family of educators, of course education is another top priority of mine.  Keeping our communities a safe place to live, work and raise families in is another focus of mine.  I will also work to put a stop to the boondoggle that High-Speed Rail has become.  Instead of taking on further debt to finance a train to nowhere, we should redirect that money to areas that need real investment such as water, education, healthcare and public safety.  All these goals are challenging and the best way to overcome them is talk to and work with people.