ISSUES
Chad Christensen is a former welfare fraud investigator for the state and he is dedicated to real accountability in the welfare system. He knows recipient fraud is rampant in the state and it is occurring unchecked. These benefits only need to go to those that truly need them to get back on their feet. While Chad served in the legislature, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare disbanded their recipient welfare fraud unit and it greatly frustrated him. Before it was disbanded, the department began tying the hands of the investigators in the unit. While an investigator, Chad successfully brought people to justice through the criminal justice system and administrative sanctions. He intends to help bring real accountability to those that scam and abuse the system.
Chad will:
First, rebuild a dedicated welfare recipient fraud unit and place it outside the Department of Health and Welfare. The agency that administers benefits should not be the same place where fraud enforcement can be quietly slowed, redirected, or deprioritized. I want the unit placed in the Attorney General’s office, with clear statutory authority, clear lines of accountability, and a direct pathway to prosecution when the evidence is there.
Second, staffing has to match reality. When I worked as an investigator, we had only nine investigators statewide. Nine. Idaho is bigger now, programs are bigger now, and fraud tactics are more sophisticated now. If we want deterrence, we need capacity. I want at least double the number of investigators, and I want an analytics function that can flag patterns early so investigators are chasing the biggest cases, not just the easiest ones.
Third, we need modern tools and transparent safeguards. A serious unit uses lawful data matches, clear evidentiary standards, and audit trails to protect privacy and due process. This is not about harassing families or punishing honest mistakes. It is about stopping intentional deception and organized schemes.
Fourth, we need public accountability. If taxpayers are funding programs, we should be able to measure integrity. I will push for an annual public report to the Legislature with basic metrics, cases opened, cases referred for prosecution, dollars recovered, dollars prevented, and average time to resolution. If a unit is working, it should be able to show it.
Chad Christensen is committed to strengthening Idaho’s laws to protect children and families from predators. He believes laws should empower citizens and hold offenders fully accountable.
Chad will:
Push for mandatory minimum sentences for sex crimes, particularly offenses against children. Judges are handing out slaps on the wrist—Chad believes enough is enough.
Back tougher penalties for failure to register or violating residency boundaries.
Advocate for greater public transparency through improved and accessible online offender registries.
Oppose any attempts to reduce supervision or tracking requirements for convicted sex offenders.
Chad Christensen takes a firm stand against illegal immigration and the harm it causes to Idaho workers, particularly in rural and agricultural communities like those in Legislative District 35. He believes Idaho must enforce immigration laws, eliminate incentives for illegal entry, and ensure that Idaho jobs go to legal residents.
Chad will:
Support mandatory E-Verify for all Idaho employers to prevent the hiring of illegal workers. Chad will fight to bring back legislation like House Bill 252, which failed in 2025 but is critical to protecting legal employment.
Ensure full implementation of House Bill 83, which creates state crimes for illegal entry and allows local law enforcement to verify immigration status during criminal investigations. Chad supports expanding the use of this law and resisting legal challenges from outside activist groups.
Oppose sanctuary policies and continue backing laws that prohibit local jurisdictions from refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
Advocate for the deportation of illegal immigrants, especially repeat offenders, and support efforts to streamline coordination with federal immigration authorities.
Champion policies that prioritize legal residents in hiring, particularly in agriculture and construction, where illegal labor has driven down wages and displaced Idaho workers.
Push back against industry lobbying that prioritizes cheap illegal labor over lawful hiring practices—Idaho’s economy must work for citizens, not exploit loopholes.
Chad Christensen believes parents—not bureaucrats—should be in charge of their children’s education and upbringing. He will continue fighting to return authority to local school districts and families.
Chad will:
Support legislation that prohibits state agencies from overriding parental decisions on education, health care, or moral instruction.
Oppose any form of federal curriculum mandates, including Common Core or successor programs.
Push for expanded vocational and technical training options in high schools.
A lifelong defender of the Constitution, Chad Christensen views the 2nd Amendment as the cornerstone of liberty. He believes it is non-negotiable and beyond regulatory interpretation.
Chad will:
Reintroduce and fight to pass his school carry bill allowing enhanced concealed carry permit holders to carry in K-12 schools.
Oppose all “red flag” laws, magazine bans, registration schemes, or gun control disguised as safety.
Support legislation declaring Idaho a Second Amendment Sanctuary State and preventing federal enforcement of unconstitutional gun laws.
Continue to defend the entire Bill of Rights, not just the Second Amendment—especially the 1st, 4th, and 10th.