Meet Ken Brungardt

Ken Brungardt - Democrat for U.S. Congress

I’m Ken Brungardt, and I want to bring Idaho back to the middle.

I’m a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in Idaho’s 1^st district running to defeat Rep. Russ Fulcher. Supporting working families will be my number one priority in the U.S. House.

We need to focus on the issues that we all agree on. But first, I would like to share a little story from the late Morris Udall, U.S. Congressman from Arizona. One day on a reservation a person was running for office was courting Native American voters. First, he said, if you vote for me I promise to build better houses. The folks listening shouted back, “ta tonka”. Second, if you vote for me l promise to build better roads. The folks shouted back “ta tonka”. Then he said, if you vote for me I promise to build new schools. The folks shouted back, “ta tonka”. The man started off the stage and the Chief said, “Watch out, don’t step in the ta tonka”.

A lot of promises are made, few are kept. The only thing I will promise is that I will fight like a mama bear would, protecting her cubs, starting with bringing back the Rule of Law. The U.S. Constitution must be the center piece of our Country. Without it, there is no America. Respect for Judges and our courts is crucial for our system of justice. No law and justice, we just have chaos.

Right now, we have the MAGA / Trump / Fulcher team giving us chaos and distraction. They are tearing apart the fabric of our democracy, tearing apart our democratic institutions and acting as if they are above the law. Trump and Fulcher are dismantling the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, the Department of Education, the National Institute of Health, and politicizing the Department of Defense, to name a few. America’s founding fathers and over 200 years of building our democratic institutions are being torn apart in just over 100 days. Enough! It’s time to fire Congressman Fulcher.

I’m a retired painting contractor and I worked hard my whole life to support my family. Lori, my wife, and I have been happily married for 53 years. We raised two children, Austin and Jennifer, and now blessed with three grandchildren and one great-grandson.

I want to talk about what we share in common and what I will fight for.

On kitchen table issues, I have worked hard my whole life to support my family, I get it. Food, gas, rent, mortgages, utilities, education. I will be a U.S. Representative who understands the struggles families go through, and in the U.S. Congress I will do everything I can to bring down the costs of living.

On women’s rights, I will be a strong supporter of women’s rights and strongly support a woman’s right to make her own health decisions privately with her own doctor and beliefs.

On jobs, I will work hard to create family wage paying jobs in Idaho’s 1st district. I’ll be a champion for Idaho’s labor unions, for Davis-Bacon prevailing wages and Project Labor Agreements, because when the labor and business work together we get a better product.

On Healthcare, healthcare must be for everyone, the rich and the rest of us. The destruction of health agencies (the CDC and others) is insane. These are people that save lives and prevent illness with vaccines. It’s sad that a country with all these resources can’t get healthcare fixed once and for all. It’s a need and a right that all people should have, not just the rich. Medicaid is and has been a great resource to the people of Idaho for those who need it. To reinstate and expand it should be a priority, especially for the children.

On our valued senior citizens, the ones who built our country. I’ll fight to protect Social Security and Medicare for our senior citizens. Seniors have worked all their lives, raising kids and sometimes grandchildren. We have raised 1 granddaughter, now deceased and now we raising our great grandson. Long story, but we do it because we love our family the same as you love yours. Sacrificing for their future is not a job, it’s a gift. Their Social Security and Medicare needs to be there for them. After all, they earned it.

On AI, AI must be regulated before it gets out of control. I would like to see it used in a positive way to help with energy issues and potentially used for medical uses.

On America’s infrastructure, infrastructure is lagging behind, becoming obsolete and is now causing traffic issues, for one example. We need to reduce red tape to speed up projects.

On honoring Veterans, our Veterans need help. Promises were not kept. Saying “thanks for your service” is fine but they deserve more. We should fight for Veterans the way they fought for us.

On family farmers, farms are the backbone of our Country. No farms, no food. I know people like to eat. Farmers and ranchers supply Idaho, America, and the World with an abundance of nutritious products to choose from. The problem is the cost for Farmers and the consumers.

On our precious environment, public lands and parks, national and state, should remain open to the public. They should be staffed by those who love the awesome beauty of nature. Besides, isn't the mountains where the snowpack is supply us with water, the source of all life? The environment is Idaho’s great treasure. They don’t call it the Gem State for nothing.

I could go on and on about all the things that need to be done. The bottom line is if “We the People” can’t elect representatives to the U.S. Congress that will fight for what is needed, based on principal, purpose, justice, equality, compromise and faith, to “Bring Idaho Back to The Middle” and do right by the citizens of Idaho, it’s all for nothing. If we continue down this road we’re on, there won’t be a country left. The time is now, it starts right here in Idaho to save our U.S. Constitution and protect our democracy.

But, I can’t do it alone. I need you to get involved—volunteer, talk to your neighbors, spread the word. And if you can, please donate to fuel this campaign. Let’s not just dream of a better future—let’s fight for it, together! I ask for your support and vote in the Democratic primary. Thank you, and God Bless Idaho and these United States of America!

Born in Chicago, Illinois, my roots run deep in the heartland. My father’s family hails from Victoria, Kansas, a place where if your last name isn’t Brungardt, you’re not from there. Wheat farming is in my blood—I’ve always believed in the saying, No Farms, No Food.

I may only have a 12th-grade education, but I know the difference between right and wrong. My principles guide me to stand up for what is good and just. I furthered my knowledge by attending contractor’s school, where I studied bookkeeping, chemical waste hazards, and the laws required to run a small business.

For 25 years in California, I ran a successful painting company, building something from the ground up. After moving to Idaho, I worked for Ada County for 14 years, gaining first-hand knowledge of how local government works—the do’s and don’ts of public service.

I have been married for 53 years to my wonderful wife, Lori. Together, we raised two children, Austin and Jennifer, and are now blessed with three grandchildren and one great-grandson—whom we are raising. Tragically, our granddaughter, his mother, has passed away. We understand what so many grandparents are going through today, stepping up for family in times of need.

While I never served in the military, I worked as a civilian at MATES and Gowen Field, supporting the 116th while they were deployed. I have nothing but respect and gratitude for those who serve.

Now retired, I am not done working. My mission is clear: to make life better for the people of Idaho. Families like yours and mine deserve a representative who truly listens, understands their struggles, and fights for them—not a career politician who collects a paycheck and does nothing.

Join me in this fight. Let’s build a better Idaho together.