In challenging state Sen. Tom Gannon for the Republican nomination in District 23, Doran Parkins said the three-term lawmaker has been too complacent towards agriculture, forgetting its importance to southern Idaho.

"When he decided to run I was pushed to do the same," Parkins said. "I've been told - it's been suggested - that he isn't necessarily (popular with the dairy industry)."

Such criticism surprised Gannon, a retired naval officer from Buhl. For two years, he's been chairman of the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee.

"I would call that bunk," said Gannon of Parkins' comments. He cited how - along with Rep. Scott Bedke, R-Oakley - he's been critical in bringing a dairy research center to the Magic Valley. "I have not heard that and nor have I ever been confronted with that accusation, and I resent it."

Gannon, 62, faces Parkins, a farmer and retired educator from Marsing, May 27 in the Republican Primary. Parkins, 65, who has never run for office, spent more than 20 years as a teacher and administrator. It's the only contested legislative primary in south-central Idaho.

Parkins said his priorities include education, preserving rural areas and helping the agriculture and dairy industries that are being "beat up" by environmentalists.

"I want to take a stand for rural people, for rural living, for standards in families, for standards in the Idaho living we have experienced," said Parkins.

Gannon, who missed the last couple of weeks of the 2008 Legislature with stomach problems, is scheduled to have surgery today. He said he has no burning issues but wants to review the funding formula for public schools. He said there's been too much tinkering and exemptions made since the public schools budget was redone in 2003, creating changes depending on the size of districts.

Parkins wants more accountability in education and said parents and teachers haven't been involved enough. He said that was one of the problems in iSTARS, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna's plan to raise teacher salaries in exchange for reduced job security for teachers.

"I see education, for one reason or another, falling behind with the rest of the country," Parkins said. "We have to somehow get the schools performing â€- The community is not happy."

Parkins questioned whether Gannon supports education strongly enough, and referenced how Gannon supported iSTARS in committee but opposed it on the Senate floor. Gannon said at the time that such a controversial and important bill should be decided by the full body and not just nine lawmakers.

Gannon was among the senators who grilled the State Board of Education trustees in March over their financial mishaps that left them $1.4 million in the hole.

Spokespersons for the Idaho Dairyman's Association and the Idaho Education Association both noted Gannon's support for their causes.

The two men differ on early education. Parkins said he opposes any public funding or increase availability of pre-kindergarten education.

"I think the homes can do that," he said.

But Gannon, who has co-sponsored bills on the issue, said people need to adapt to modern society and said studies show pre-k can be beneficial. He chaired an interim committee on the subject.

"The hard-line critics, such as him, subscribe to the position that the child belongs at home and it's the parents' responsibility - which I don't think anybody would disagree with in a perfect world," he said. "Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world."

Both men are open to merit-pay for teachers; supportive of nuclear energy; and skeptical of raising fees for road construction without the proper scrutiny.

The nominee will face Democrat Bill Chisholm of Buhl in the general election.

Jared S. Hopkins may be reached at 208-735-3204 or jhopkins@magicvalley.com.