Get to Know Emily Fisher
Emily's family has lived in Southern Idaho for over 100 years. She is the descendant of dairy farmers, ranchers, and horse trainers many of whom still live in the Burley, ID area. Through her family's roots, and her own passion for horses, she grew up with a deep appreciation and respect for the western lifestyle — including the animals, agriculture, and public land that makes Idaho home. She was born with a passion for horses, and her favorite memories include training mustangs, riding in rodeos, driving cattle, and exploring Idaho on horseback.
Emily graduated from Capital High school and went to Boise State University to earn her BA in Communication with an emphasis in Organizational and Interpersonal Communication. After college, Emily entered the world of business. She worked in marketing, project management and ultimately, business development. In each role she excelled, earning promotions and public recognition for her work. In 2020 she started her own business coaching company and quickly developed a reputation for integrity, action, and strong leadership. In 2024 she was nominated for Best of Boise for her work supporting local businesses.
Deeply committed to community service, Emily has served as a volunteer and leader with several local organizations including the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), the Boise Entrepreneur Collective, and the Wyakin Foundation (which supports veterans in achieving their academic and career goals). As a public speaker for NAMI, she presented to thousands of people across the state, including law enforcement, schools, and other large groups. She later earned distinction as one of only two State Trainers for the organization.
A 4th generation Idaho hunter, she became passionately interested in legislative issues regarding wildlife and public land. She spent 2 years working for the Idaho Wildlife Federation, a nonpartisan conservation organization that advocates for issues related to public land and sportsmen/women's rights. Emily recognizes that healthy wildlife is the result of a healthy ecosystem. In 2023 she completed her requirements to become an Idaho Master Naturalist and in 2024 became an Idaho Master Gardener. Those experiences have given her insight into the critical role played by water, soil, and other ecosystem-based elements of our community.
In her personal life, Emily is an artist, gardener, and book club leader. She lives in Kuna with her fiancé and their three cow dogs. She loves exploring Idaho's wild places, camping, and creating community improvement projects. She has a strong commitment to buying locally, and loves visiting small business owners at farmer's markets and community events.
Small Business Owner
Community Leader
Integrity-Driven
Local-First
"Why I'm Running for Office..."
I’m running for Idaho's House of Representatives because I believe leaders should reflect character, responsibility, and integrity while providing for our future.
I live and work in District 23. As a small business owner, and the descendant of farmers, I understand firsthand what it means to balance growth with sustainability. Every decision has consequences — in both the near and long term. That perspective shapes how I think about leadership.
There are things we can afford to compromise, and things we cannot. I believe that our integrity, health, and constitutional rights cannot be up for negotiation.
I am running as a Democrat in the footsteps of public-land heroes like Cecil Andrus and Frank Church. But I want to be clear — I have no intention of blindly following party lines. I will consider how each issue impacts Idahoans on a case-by-case basis and listen to the desires and interests of my community.
My focus will always be on practical solutions, fiscal responsibility, and policies that protect the things we love.
Public office should not be about making headlines or national agendas. It should be about service — listening, acting with courage, and improving the lives of the people you represent.
That is the standard I hold myself to.
Where I Stand on Key Issues
Growth and Infrastructure
District 23 is one of the fastest-growing regions in Idaho. Growth can be a good thing, but it must be done responsibly. Under our current policies, existing residents are absorbing the financial and resource costs.
I support updating developer impact fees to reflect the real costs of new development. Those fees need to be structured thoughtfully — not to discourage builders, but to make sure families, farmers, and communities aren't left holding someone else's bill.
I also support zoning policies that protect agricultural land and preserve the character of our communities — suburban and rural alike. Canyon, Ada, and Owyhee County don't need to stop growing. They need to grow in a way that works for the people who already live here.
Water Rights & Management
Water is not unlimited in Idaho — and it is in danger. In 2024, Idaho's Department of Water Resources raised the alarm about an existing aquifer shortfall. That same year, we narrowly avoided emergency water curtailment for hundreds of farmers. That's not a future problem — it's happening now. Additionally, coastal investment firms have been buying water rights (and farm land) across the west. Investing in "water rights speculation" — withholding water until drought conditions allow them to sell at a massive profit. This has been happening since at least 2008, but we still have ZERO legislation to prevent it.
I support a clear priority order: agricultural and existing uses come before new development demands. Out-of-state investment firms should not be allowed to buy and hold water rights. Aesthetic use should not be prioritized above public good.
Our farmers and ranchers have worked this land for generations. Their water rights shouldn't be subordinated to corporate interests, lawn irrigation and new subdivisions.
Water policy has to be honest about scarcity. I will fight to protect it now, so we can have it forever.
Public Land Access
Public land should stay in the public's hands.
This is something we all agree on, regardless of political party, yet our public lands are consistently on the chopping block. I find that to be unacceptable.
Public land is where families hike, camp, hunt, fish, graze cattle, and reconnect with nature. They are a cornerstone of our economy and our way of life.
I oppose any transfer, sale or privatization of public lands; and I am committed to preserving our access rights. Public lands belong to all of us, and we must fight to keep it that way.
Housing Affordability & Property Taxes
Families across District 23 are being squeezed by a property tax system that hasn't kept pace with reality. Average property values have doubled (or more), yet Idaho's homeowner exemption hasn't moved from an average valuation of $125,000. Seniors and families are being priced out of homeownership and into a record-high rental market. Meanwhile, A growing share of Idaho homes are owned by out-of-state investors and corporations — competing directly with local families for a limited number of homes. I support indexing the homeowner exemption to actually track home values — a bipartisan fix that already had 41 House co-sponsors and was killed in committee. I also support updated impact fees for developers, the burden of which is currently paid by taxpayers. I think we need a hard look at whether investor-owned and corporate-held properties are receiving benefits designed to protect families, farms and primary residences. I will fight to make the system fair for families who actually live and work here.
Education
We need to take an honest and collaborative look at Idaho's educational priorities. We have a constitutional obligation to provide and maintain strong public schools, yet we have seen chronic underfunding, poor educational outcomes, and a growing taxpayer burden for decades. This is a systemic problem.
More recently, outside interests pushed through a $50 million private school tax credit against the wishes of Idaho voters. Before the bill was introduced, 94% of Idahoans who contacted their legislators opposed it. It passed anyway — funded by roughly $300,000 in out-of-state lobbying money.
District 23 is a perfect example of why this program does not work for Idahoans. In Canyon County, 95% of students attend public schools. In Owyhee County that number is 99%, with just one private school serving 14 students. Kuna currently has no private school. In this district, rural families are paying for a program that primarily subsidizes urban private schools they cannot access. Meanwhile, public schools continue to experience massive funding shortages and taxpayers are paying through local levies to fill the gaps.
This has been framed as a parent's right to choose. It is, more accurately, a misuse of public funds — paid by the many, benefitting the few, driven by outside money, and passed despite the objections of Idahoans.
I support a parent's right to choose where their child is educated. I also believe public dollars should FIRST fulfill our constitutional obligation. Once we have done so, I would be happy to explore options for funding additional educational priorities and opportunities.
Role of Government (Including 2A & Healthcare)
Government exists to protect our rights — not to control our lives. I believe in holding government to its constitutional limits across the board. That means defending our Second Amendment rights, religious freedom AND staying out of deeply personal medical decisions that belong to individuals and their families — not legislators.
I don't think personal liberty is a partisan issue. Idahoans across the political spectrum value the freedom to make their own lawful choices. That's something I'll defend regardless of which direction the overreach is coming from.
Get Involved in the Campaign
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Paid for by Emily Fisher for Legislature.
