Reformed inmate vying for seat on Idaho Falls City Council
October 5, 2025
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15:20Now PlayingReformed inmate vying for seat on Idaho Falls City Council
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as posted by the channel#eastidahonews #eastidahoelects #localpolitics
IDAHO FALLS – Stephanie Taylor-Thompson, a former inmate who now ministers in prisons nationwide, is vying for a seat on the Idaho Falls City Council.
The 42-year-old woman is one of seven candidates seeking Seat 2, currently occupied by Lisa Burternshaw. Burtenshaw is running for mayor. Other candidates running for this seat include Jordan Bardsley, Teresa Dominick, Mosy Moran, Brandon Lee, Christopher Joseph Brunt and Brad Whipple.
In a conversation with EastIdahoNews.com, Taylor-Thompson says she’s been “immensely blessed” with opportunities to succeed and serve others and she wants to continue serving the community in this capacity.
If elected, she said she promises to be a leader who “intentionally listens” to the concerns of residents.
“What I plan to do as a city council member is to take the concerns of residents and really listen, not just be a person who listens and waits to respond but someone who intentionally listens and works towards a resolve on the concerns or challenges we are facing in our community,” Taylor-Thompson says.
Taylor-Thompsons says she was once a victim of human trafficking and has helped 100 survivors. It’s an issue she’d like to see the city pay more attention to.
“It’s happening all the time. We have a hotel here that is plagued with human trafficking,” she says, but she did not specify which one.
Taylor-Thompson, who was once arrested by Idaho Falls Police on drug charges and currently serves on the city’s strategic planning committee for the new police department — the same agency connected to her arrest in 2002 — says there’s also a huge problem with fentanyl.
At an overdose awareness event last month, she says more than 100 people were recognized who recently died from fentanyl overdoses.
“It just broke my heart. These are our brothers and sisters in Christ who are dying. Some of them are so young, like 15 or 16 years old,” says Taylor-Thompson. “I really believe in our law enforcement and want to make sure that they have the resources they need to continue to protect and serve our community.”
Although this is Taylor-Thompson’s first time running for public office, she has an extensive background working with government and elected officials.
WATCH OUR INTERVIEW WITH TAYLOR-THOMPSON IN THE VIDEO ABOVE.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
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