Twin Falls, Idaho has seen a lot of changes in its politics over the past two decades. The executive branch of the state government is composed of the Governor and six other elected officials, such as the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Secretary of State, Superintendent of Public Instruction and Treasurer. These officers are elected for four-year terms with no limit. The bicameral legislature is made up of a Senate and a House of Representatives, both of which serve two-year terms.
The justice system is administered by the Supreme Court, an appellate court, seven district courts and county trial courts. Idaho is home to several universities that offer advanced degrees, including the University of Idaho, Idaho State University (1901 in Pocatello), Boise State University (1931) and the College of Idaho (1891 in Caldwell). Northwest Nazarene College (1913 in Nampa) is also present. The state's electorate is generally economically conservative but allocations for social and educational programs are liberal and supported by both political parties.
Twin Falls has become an attractive place for refugees who began to arrive in the 1980s from Cambodia and the former Yugoslavia due to the abundance of low-skilled jobs. This influx of people from different backgrounds has made it difficult to integrate into a city where 80 percent of the population is white. Matt Christensen, editor of The Times-News, said that local leaders refused to allay fear of Islam which persisted in Twin Falls. Last fall he told KTVB in Boise that Idaho is second only to Texas in the places preferred by its customers.
The city has also become home to important food processors such as Chobani Yogurt, Clif Bar and Glanbia Nutritionals, a dairy company. Over the past decade and a half, as conflict spread across North Africa and the Middle East, Twin Falls began to resettle larger numbers of dark-skinned refugees who follow an unknown religion. This influx has caused some tension among residents who fear a “Muslim takeover” of the city. Culum's request to change the city's form of government was rejected by the Twin Falls City Council.
Despite these changes, I believe that Idaho will remain a red state. I will vote for Idaho to remain a red city and I will defend its ideals as will my family who have also moved there recently. I'm 29 years old and I hope that Idaho will continue to be a place where I can start a family and succeed.
