Gabriel Rench, a Moscow citizen of several years, University of Idaho alumn and accomplished marketing and media business owner, was inspired to run for District 2 Latah County Commissioner by incumbent Tom Lamar’s tax plans and the City of Moscow’s handling of COVID-19. He seriously criticizes both.
His main initiative was to combat Latah County Commissioners continually voting “…to raise your taxes by the maximum allowable 3% four years in a row,” as stated in a political ad in The Latah Republican. This remains a primary focus in his campaign.
Rench and several others were arrested Sept. 23 during a Christ Church Psalm Sing. The arrests received national attention and a response from President Donald Trump. In a tweet responding to the video of Rench’s arrest, Trump stated “DEMS WANT TO SHUT YOUR CHURCHES DOWN NOW, PERMANANTLY. HOPE YOU SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING, VOTE NOW!” Trump’s tweet brought Rench nationwide conservative support.
Rench believes Moscow’s mask mandate is unconstitutional, so he’s shifted the focus of his campaign to reflect this opinion.
“I think that my opponent generally thinks that masks probably work,” Rench said at an ASUI and Economics Club Q&A event. “The thing is the science is so out on that. If anybody who wants to have an honest conversation about if masks really, legitimately work, you got to be reading both sides of the studies, which I have… I’ve read through hours and hours of studies, I’ve looked at videos, I’ve had doctors on our show. The science disagrees heavily. In fact, it still says on the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) website that masks don’t work for the general public, but we still recommend them.”
The CDC officially called on the general public to wear masks in July.
“Cloth face coverings are one of the most powerful weapons we have to slow and stop the spread of the virus – particularly when used universally within a community setting,” CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield said in a July 14 news release.
Concerns of Rench’s devout Christian faith interfering with his term arose during this Q&A forum. Rench countered by arguing everyone’s morality and decision making is influenced by a belief system. As the host of his Christian political TV show, “CrossPolitic,” and an avid supporter of Christ Church, Rench assured his governance as Commissioner would be influenced by his faith, but not negatively.
Rench named a few of the Ten Commandments and other beliefs he attributed to Christianity, including the sinfulness of homosexuality, as factors in his decision-making process.
Rench said he believes special interest groups in Moscow, including the LGBTQ+ community, don’t need extra attention to address their societal concerns. He said the answer is to perpetuate equality through equally distributing attention to all groups, no matter the disparity.
Rench said the current LGBTQ+ movement “adopted civil rights language” for their advocacy. He said the Civil Rights Movement is supported by scientifically factual observations of human race, implying LGBTQ+ individuals are not backed by science.
Rench overwhelmingly believes there is widespread “political ugliness” these days. He said both political parties are losing their way, the Democrats faster than Republicans. He hopes more discussion and communication will help prevent the parties from derailing and build a stronger community.
If elected, Rench doesn’t seek to continue his political career much further. He joined the race because his friend convinced him to do so the day of the deadline to enter. Rench said he wants to start discussions in Latah County that encourage progress.
Carter Kolpitcke can be reached at [email protected].