BY KAREN BOSSICK

Blaine County Sheriff candidate Morgan Ballis strode into Mountain Humane Thursday night prepared to debate. But two hours later, when it came time for him to debate, he was faced with an empty chair, a placard on the table in front reading “Aaron Hughston.”

Hughston, moderator Greg Foley said, had agreed to participate in the debate, which also featured District 26 candidates for the Idaho Senate and House of Representatives. But he called that afternoon to say he would be going to Carey, instead.

Hughston ended up greeting people at the Oasis Stop and Go.

Aaron Hughston, a gun shooting instructor, opted to spend Thursday evening in Carey rather than at the Pizza and Politics Debate. COURTESY: Aaron Hughston campaign

“I won't participate in Pizza and Politics tonight given concerns I have regarding the neutrality and transparency of the host. The Mountain Express was aware of Ballis’s criminal record in May of 2024, and despite such information impacting voters’ ability to make informed decisions about this election, they failed to inform voters,” he posted, referring to trouble that Ballis got into while a juvenile. “I hope to see you in Carey tonight for honest conversation about my plans to keep our families and neighborhoods safe.”

Ballis, for his part, recounted the experience he believes makes him fit to be Blaine County Sheriff, then fielded questions from a full house at the Mountain Express Pizza and Politics.

He told of spending 11 years in the infantry of the U.S. Marine Corps, during which time he served as an squad leader planning and executing combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq. As an infantry unit leader, he organized, trained and equipped a platoon conducting counter narcotics and human trafficking operations along the U.S./Mexico border with federal law enforcement agencies.

He started a firearms training company in California that is now operated by disabled veterans, and he started a K-12 emergency management consulting firm teaching evidence-based and trauma-informed practices across the United States.

Some stalwarts showed off their campaign signs to those heading for the debate as part of the second Idaho Women for Harris Walz Day of Unity. The group boasts 14,000 women, including women from both parties, throughout the state, said Janie Davidson.

Ballis said his mother was standing next to former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords when a gunman shot the senator. That spurred him to pursue a Master’s of Science degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management—he’s working on a doctorate in Emergency Management. He has trained thousands of first responders across the nation in active shooter response.

He currently is a school resource officer at Wood River High School and president of the Idaho Association of School Resource Officers which, he says, represents 200 School Resource Officers across the country. Ballis said he has raised more than $100,000 in grants to train those officers.

His work led the Hailey Police Department to be named the 2023 Model School Resource Officer Agency of the Year by the National Association of School Resource Officers, and in 2023 Ballis was named Hailey Police Officer of the Year.

Asked why he wants to run, he noted that he believes the Sheriff’s Department can do a better job of collaborating with groups like The Advocates to be more proactive in tackling drug problems and reducing jail intake for those experiencing mental crises. Other mountain resort communities have  prevention-based programs that have reduced the number of people being taken to jail and emergency rooms by 70 percent, said Ballis, who already has created the Hailey Police Department’s LGBTQ+ Community Liaison position to increase trust and communication with that community.

Ballis noted his commitment to sharing about his own struggles with PTSD incurred while serving with the Marines: “We need to be able to share how it’s okay not to be okay.”

Noting that he had shown up for the debate while his opponent had not, he promised to be a fixture in the community

“I believe a sheriff has the responsibility as an elected official to be more visible and accountable to the community,” he said. I want to sit down and have conversations with the community, and I want to set an example for my deputies, encouraging them to do the same, he said, adding that he would also like to see local law enforcement departments work together and share information on narcotics enforcement.

“Access to the sheriff has been an issue in the past. It will not be with me,” he added.

One man expressed his anger at finding postcards on his doorstep attacking Ballis for youthful indiscretions. Ballis responded that he had kept his composure despite repeated attacks on himself and his family.

One person asked about traffic enforcement and road rage. Ballis responded the police officers in the valley hear that there’s too much traffic enforcement and they also hear that they’re not doing enough.

One man asked whether he would round up immigrants, given the former President’s promise to round up millions of immigrants in what would be the largest deportation in American history if elected to the presidency.

Ballis responded that immigrants are protected by the U.S. Constitution as soon as they step foot on U.S. soil. Furthermore, he added, Blaine County does not have the resources to assist with such an undertaking.

Ballis said he does want to educate the public about ICE. He also put in a plug for legislation allowing undocumented workers to get driver’s licenses so they can drive to and from work. It takes twice as long to process drivers without licenses, he said. Licenses would require the drivers take driver’s ed and buy insurance, and it would tell police who they’re dealing with.

Ballis said he would look at the long term when it comes to hiring, rather than just filling positions, noting that the military does a good job of recruiting. He’s already raised $10,000 for the Todd D. Peck Endowed Law Enforcement Scholarship at College of Southern Idaho. The scholarship would be available to Blaine County youth pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Ballis said the sheriff’s department has a professional dedicated staff—that he has seen no instances of officer profiling.

“Our responsibility as officers is to serve the entire community, enforce the law, uphold the Constitution without prejudice regarding sexual orientation, race or religion,” he added.