Stallings to Luna: What have YOU done?

BOISE, Idaho – State Democratic Party Chairman Richard Stallings on Tuesday called foul on an independent radio ad taken out by defeated former state senator Darrell Deide against Jana Jones, Democratic candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The ad, sponsored by so-called “Idahoans for Excellence” and paid for with out-of-state dollars, is running on KBOI in the Treasure Valley. The ad takes a cheap shot at Jones for participating in a cultural exchange program in Ireland.

The ad suggests Jones was responsible for spending thousands of dollars on a “frivolous overseas junket(s).”

Dr. Marilyn Howard, current Superintendent of Public Instruction, has already issued a statement in defense of Jana. Howard said no state money was spent on the trip, which she took with other teachers to help students prepare for a global job market.

“As long as we’re asking questions about government service, let’s ask about Tom Luna,” Stallings said.

Luna, who has no classroom teaching experience and only recently received a bachelor’s degree from an online school, has offered no proof that his position with the federal government was anything more than that of any other employee.

Additionally, Stallings said, there is no evidence that he ever completed any specific program or task.   

“I can’t find any evidence that President Bush appointed Tom Luna to any federal position, and I can’t find any work product for the two years that he drew a federal paycheck,” Stallings said. “What did he do to earn a living? Was his job simply to run around the country attending conferences? What benefit did Tom Luna give Idaho taxpayers? I have not seen a single shred of evidence suggesting he accomplished anything except adding a line on his resume.”

Stallings said these are the kind of questions votes deserve to know before election day.

“Tom Luna and Darrell Deide are raising questions about what Jana Jones did for two weeks. I want to see evidence of what he did for two years.”