Derek James Smith

Bio submitted by candidate -

After a 2016 cross-country road trip, I found my home in Boise, Idaho. I was drawn by its stunning beauty, clean streets, and welcoming community. It’s where I met my wife, started a family, and became an adopted son of this incredible city. My life hasn’t been without challenges. I overcame the disease of drug addiction, staying sober for over five years with the support of my family and community. This experience shapes my view on Boise’s homelessness crisis, which is often rooted in addiction and mental health issues. We must guide people toward the Treasure Valley’s excellent rehab programs, not enable destructive lifestyles by housing the sick in hotels without effective treatment. My goal isn’t nostalgia but building a Boise our kids will cherish. As Micron drives growth, we must focus on affordable living, not only affordable housing. Cities like Austin and Salt Lake City show us how to address this issue: aggressively increase housing supply to keep prices manageable while maintaining safety and quality of life. I’ll oppose the type of policies implemented in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle that have eroded the quality of life for all citizens. I’m committed to pragmatic solutions: streamlining regulations, encouraging development, and learning from successful cities to ensure Boise grows responsibly. If elected to City Council, I’ll donate my entire salary to a Boise charity of my constituents’ choosing. I’m running to bring practical, proven ideas to keep Boise thriving for all of us.

The City of Boise oversees only the Declaration of Candidacy, and provides historic documents as a courtesy. All other candidate documents are managed by Ada County Elections.