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Who I Am
- Christian
- Husband and Father
- Lapwai High School Graduate
- BS Computer Science Texas A&M University
- Retired Navy CDR and Operation Desert Storm Veteran
- Retired Boeing Cost Account and Project Manager
- Former Airline Captain
- Small Government Conservative
I have the administrative experience and leadership skills to be an effective county commissioner.
My Plan for Lowering Residential Property Taxes
Our property taxes are not fair or equitable. I plan to bring Nez Perce property taxes back in line by giving all Idaho county commissioners control over their county’s “homestead exemption”. This will give the county commissioners the power to stabilize property taxes when market anomalies drive up home prices. I have already authored a Bill for next year's legislative session and am doing the legwork to get it sponsored. I will also fight for budget restraint and county growth incentives to lower overall property taxes over time.
I Will Fight for Your Rights
Our constitutional rights are under attack! As your county commissioner, I will fight against unconstitutional mandates and regulation flowed down from national and state governments. I will fight for the citizens of Nez Perce County!
My Government Experience
- Lewiston Nez Perce County Airport Board: I have several years of experience on the airport board and held positions of Vice-chair and Treasurer. I was privileged to be on the airport board when we added United Air Service to Denver and Delta Air Service to Seattle.
- City of Lewiston Urban Renewal Agency (URA): I recently joined the URA Board and understand how the URA works. I am working to introduce project plans and schedule baselines into URA projects so they can be tracked and have measurable benefit to Nez Perce County tax payers.
My Bio
My name is Joe Gish. I graduated from Lapwai High School in 1981 and spent 2 years at the University of Idaho before transferring to Texas A&M where I received a BS in computer science in 1987. I worked in high tech for a few years and then joined the US Navy in 1989 as a Pilot. In the Navy, I flew Lockheed P-3 Orions and hunted submarines. After 21 years I retired from the Navy at the rank of Commander (O5). I also worked at the Boeing Company as a programmer, systems engineer, first line manager, cost account manager and project manager. I retired from Boeing and after 35 years away, returned to the LC Valley in 2017 after getting a job as an airline pilot. I currently work as a corporate pilot and fly a King Air out of the Lewiston Airport.
I married a local girl (Ramona Garner Gish) from Gifford ID who I met in high school. We have grown twins. I enjoy flying in the back county, playing guitar, and am an avid home beer brewer.
My wife and I now live on Red Bird RD near Waha.
Photo Gallery
Sen Cindy Carlson and me at the 2024 NPCRCC Lincoln Day Dinner. I am honored to have Senator Carlson's endorsement (Lewiston ID).
Kyle Seraphin with my wife Mona and me at the 2024 NPCRCC Lincoln Day Dinner. Kyle Seraphin was the keynote speaker this year.
Bill Whittle and me prior to NPCRCC Lincoln Day Dinner 2020. Bill Whittle was the keynote speaker. I gave him one of my Navy challenge coins. (Lewiston ID)
US Senate candidate (WA) Tiffany Smiley and me at her campaign fund raiser at Hanger 180 (Lewiston ID)
Me getting a combine ride during harvest on my farm near Peck ID
Offloading the combine during harvest (Peck ID)
Gary Peters and me in front of Hangar 180's P-64 (Lewiston ID)
Gary Peter's and me in the Hangar 180 Stearman doing the Lewiston Roundup flyover
Me in back of a B-25 pointing at the Hangar 180 P-40! (near Lewiston Id)
My Navy Buddy and me shooting near Peck ID
Zach (one of the young men I mentor), his mom and me flying in my 182
Zach (one of the young men I mentor) getting his Civil Air Patrol wings after earning his private pilots license! (Provo UT)
Beau (another young man I have mentored) in front of the King Air. Beau is now in training to become an Army Ranger! (Chelan WA)
My Daughter's Graduation (Hillsdale College)
My wife Mona and me at my son's Navy boot camp graduation (Great Lakes MI)
My son and me at his Navy boot camp graduation (Great Lakes MI, my uniform had a little closet shrinkage)
My son, daughter and me flying in the Idaho Back Country (Chamberlain Airstrip)
My favorite flight attendant (Trish) and me after passing my airline captain check ride (Horizon Airlines, Portland OR)
I was privileged to fly the Q400 with the "retro" Horizon livery (Seattle WA)
Navy Commissioning (Pensacola FL)
Navy Primary Flight Training (Corpus Christi TX)
Naval Aviator Winging. This is a photo of me with my AOCS and Navy flight school classmates. (Corpus Christi TX)
Me in front of the Lockheed P-3 Orion I flew in the Navy (Whidbey Island WA)