Cherie Buckner-Webb, was elected to the Idaho State Senate on November 6th, 2012, by the people of the 19th Legislative District. She is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, consultant, certified professional coach, and community leader.A fifth-generation Idahoan, Cherie is a woman whose enthusiasm is as boundless as her talents. The principal of a successful coaching and consulting business, she is a respected voice in Idaho’s business community. Viewed as a proven leader, her experience spans across multiple disciplines, in a variety of roles in both corporate and small business enterprises. Elected to the Idaho House in 2010, Cherie is Idaho’s first African-American legislator. She is well-known among her constituents and colleagues alike for her willingness to break down barriers. In a similar fashion, she has also held true to her convictions, fighting day-in and day-out on behalf of ordinary Idahoans. Cherie’s mantra is “leave a legacy,” and in four years of public office, she has done just that. Cherie continues to be a tireless advocate on behalf of Idaho’s public schools. In 2014, she was part of a bipartisan coalition that successfully bolstered teacher pay, established professional development and leadership initiatives, and increased operational funding for schools.Buckner-Webb has also been focused on improving Idaho’s economy and adding good-paying jobs. Encouraging input from our business community, she recognizes that in order to attract business, the state must offer a well-trained pool of applicants. This means investing in public schools, higher education, and workforce training programs, and Cherie has been a tireless proponent of improving all three. In 2014, she also supported the Hire Idaho Act, a bill that would have given Idaho companies preference against out-of-state companies when bidding on state government contracts.