I was born in Twin Falls in 1951. My father, Warren was a mailman. Mother, Louise, was a house-wife. My father also built homes after work and on weekends. In 1965 my parents bought a farm in Jerome. I soon became their farming partner. At the time of my father's death in 1986, we were farming 2,000 acres and had a dairy operation.
I went to the University of Utah and graduated in 1974 with a music degree. Later, I graduated from BYU with a law degree in 1979. I practiced law in Jerome and served two terms as Jerome County Prosecutor.
In 1977, I married Ruth Nielson. Ruth has been my best-friend and partner for 29-years. We have raised three wonderful children, Dannis, Louis, and Rebecca. Dannis is married to Heidi. Three months ago, Heidi, gave birth to our grandson.
In 1983, Idaho's Congressman, George Hansen, had a myriad of legal problems. As a 32-year old Prosecutor, I thought the citizens would vote for me to serve as their congressman. I ran against Hansen in 1984 and lost by less than ½% of the vote. Two years later I tried again to no avail.
I then stopped all political activities and focused on raising my family. In 1994, after 17-years of law, I retired and my wife and I started a long-term healthcare company known as Northwest Bec-Corp. We care for 2500 seniors in Idaho and California and employ 1,500 people.
Recently I was asked why I wanted to be Governor. I started to describe how concerned I was about Idaho. I stopped. After a moment I indicated that in my healthcare business I traveled around the world trying to recruit Registered Nurses. After each trip I had to pass through U.S. Customs.
Last year, upon returning from a recruiting trip, I passed through Customs and the agent asked, "Do you have anything to declare?" I started to say no. The agent stared. I was tired; I looked a little ragged. I didn't need any problems in Customs. Then I stood up straight, looked the agent in the eye, and told him that I did have something to declare.
I said, "I'm proud to be an American and I am very happy to be home. The country I have visited will never have what we have; they are missing too many aspects of what makes our country great."
The agent smiled, "You would be surprised how many returning citizens tell me something similar. Pass on through, Mr. Adamson."
I felt so good. It was then I knew that I had to re-engage in Idaho politics. Any problems that we have in Idaho could be fixed and I was a sufficient leader to do what it would take.
With Free Enterprise Zones, Idaho will have the most vibrant business community in America. Idaho can do better in its public education system. Better schools will mean more economic development for Idaho. Please support me in my bid for governor.