The tight-knit Hansen family has lived and worked in Idaho for four generations. Jim, 46, and his wife, Joan Cartan-Hansen, are proud parents of Samantha, 15, and Harrison, 11, both of whom attend public schools.

Jim's values are rooted in his large extended family, where public service is an honored tradition. Jim served  in the Idaho Legislature from 1988-1994. His father, Orval Hansen, served with distinction in the Idaho Legislature and U.S. Congress as a representative from the 2nd District (1968-1974). Jim's uncles, John Hansen and Reed Hansen, both of Idaho Falls, are former members of the Idaho Legislature. Other family members have answered the call for public service in local office.

The family is bi-partisan, offering both parties their skills and services. They agree that competition of ideas is what makes our system great and that there are good people in both parties. They also agree that when partisanship becomes bitter and personal, it undermines the public interest.

Jim's first experience with elected office came in 1988, when he was elected to represent Southeast Boise in the Idaho Legislature. He served on the Education, Health and Welfare and Judiciary committees. He was re-elected twice, then imposed his own term limit and voluntarily retired from the Legislature in 1994. Jim's work in the Legislature focused primarily on improving education and reforming the way government operates to make it more accountable.

He continued to serve his community in other ways. Jim served as acting director of the Office of Conflict Management Services at Boise State University from 1992-1994. In 1995 he became the founding director of United Vision for Idaho, a coalition of organizations working to empower participation in democracy. Jim built this small business with the help of many others who shared his vision and helped others start similar not-for-profit businesses. Jim has been a member of Rotary for more than 15 years and has served as president of his club.

Family

Jim's wife, Joan Cartan-Hansen, was born and raised in Idaho Falls and graduated from Skyline High School and the University of Utah. She worked as a television reporter in Idaho Falls before joining the production staff of Idaho Public Television in 1988 as a producer, writer and reporter. She is a co-host of "Dialogue" and host of "Dialogue for Kids" and has produced many award-winning documentaries and public affairs programs.

Jim's father, Orval, grew up in Idaho Falls on the family farm, served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and returned to his hometown after college and law school to practice law and become active in the community. Jim's ancestors on his father's side came to Utah and Idaho more than 100 years ago. They immigrated from Denmark and Sweden and established farms, small businesses and large families. Jim's grandmother, Lily Wahlquist Hansen (who lived to be 96), had a significant impact on his life by helping to shape Jim's broad and loving view of God, family and service to others.

Jim's mother, June Duncan Hansen, immigrated to the United States in 1956 as Orval's bride. Her ancestors were wool merchants, fishermen and small businesspeople in England. She grew up in Southport and worked in professional theater in England until she married. June returned to the professional stage in the 1970s and was nominated eight times for the prestigious Helen Hayes Award, which she won for her performance in "India Ink" in 2001.

Orval and June, who live in Arlington, Va., spend their summers in Stanley, Idaho, a favorite gathering place for their large family, which now includes 12 grandchildren. Jim is the third child and eldest son of Orval and June's seven children.