When you sit down with a candidate who genuinely loves his community, believes in building a future worth inheriting, and understands the economic and cultural challenges facing North Idaho, the conversation feels different. That’s exactly what happened when Eric and Seth interviewed Randy Westlund, a former NASA engineer, entrepreneur, husband, father of five, and the newest candidate for Mayor of Post Falls.

This wasn’t a typical political interview filled with canned talking points. It was an honest, thoughtful look into Randy’s background, values, and vision for the fastest-growing city in North Idaho. His story is one of faith, family, and service — and for many residents, it’s exactly the kind of leadership they’ve been asking for.

If you’re considering moving to North Idaho or need help navigating the local market, our team specializes in helping conservative families find their homes here. Learn more at North Idaho Experience.

From NASA Engineer to North Idaho Family Man

Randy’s path to Post Falls is anything but ordinary.

Before running for mayor, Randy earned his degree in computer engineering, interned at NASA, and eventually worked on satellite communications and Antarctic field systems. His early career involved solving difficult problems with limited resources — something that shaped his perspective on government efficiency.

But the turning point for Randy wasn’t professional. It was personal.

He and his wife, who met during their NASA internship, eventually began building a family. As she pursued a PhD at MIT, they started reassessing what “success” really meant. Surrounded by highly educated peers who felt pressured to delay or outsource family life, the Westlunds realized that wasn’t the life they wanted.

Faith became their compass. Family became the priority. And North Idaho — with its homeschooling freedom, community values, and conservative culture — became the obvious choice.

Choosing Post Falls for the Same Reasons Many Families Do

Like thousands of others who’ve relocated to North Idaho, Randy and his wife used a criteria-based approach to choose their new home. They created a spreadsheet ranking states on:

• Homeschooling freedoms
  
  
• Second Amendment protections
  
  
• Community safety
  
  
• Family culture
  
  
• Proximity to supportive relatives
  
  
• Quality of life
  
  

Idaho ranked high on every metric that mattered to them.

They weren’t seeking nightlife, density, or prestige. They wanted a place where they could raise a large family with traditional values, where neighbors know each other, and where small-town life still feels like America.

If you’re exploring a move for similar reasons, start with homes for sale in Post Falls.

A Warning About What’s Happening to American Cities

One key theme in this interview is decline — not in Idaho, but across the country. Randy talks about once-thriving cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago that have become unrecognizable due to:

• Failed leadership
  
  
• Lenient criminal policies
  
  
• Drug distributions disguised as “public health”
  
  
• Out-of-control homelessness
  
  
• Broken school systems
  
  
• Lack of enforcement of existing laws
  
  

North Idaho residents feel this deeply because many lived in those places not long ago.

And it’s why Randy emphasizes a core point: People come to Post Falls because it still feels like America.

Protecting that identity is at the center of his campaign.

A Vision Rooted in Homeownership, Safety, and Community

Unlike most political conversations, Randy talks openly about vision — something he believes conservatives have neglected for decades.

He argues that being against bad policies is not enough. Leaders need to articulate where the city is going and what kind of community they want to build.

For Post Falls, his priorities include:

1. Expanding Homeownership

Homeownership is more than a financial asset — it creates roots, civic engagement, and community stability. Randy believes cities must give the next generation real pathways to owning a home, not just renting indefinitely while corporations and hedge funds outbid families.

2. Strengthening Public Safety

Post Falls operates with fewer officers per capita compared to nearby agencies and often loses trained officers to Spokane’s higher pay. Randy insists that for families to thrive, public safety cannot be compromised — especially with I-90 serving as a major drug trafficking corridor.

3. Building a Vibrant, Resident-Focused Downtown

Unlike Coeur d’Alene’s tourism-driven Sherman Avenue, Randy wants Post Falls to develop a walkable, locally focused, economically self-sustaining downtown that:

• Generates strong per-acre taxable value
  
  
• Offsets residential maintenance costs
  
  
• Encourages small business growth
  
  
• Keeps money circulating within the community
  
  

The emerging corridor south of I-90 along Spokane Street could become one of the most important economic zones in North Idaho.

Learn more about living near the downtown corridor at Post Falls neighborhoods guide.

Faith and Family as a Foundation for Leadership

Randy doesn’t hide his Christian faith. He believes it’s essential — not private — and that leaders should openly ground their decisions in moral values that built the country.

He talks at length about raising children with intention, stewarding the community for future generations, and ensuring Post Falls remains a place where strong families can thrive.

His message is simple:
We inherited a great country. We have a duty to pass it on — stronger — to our children.

Why He Finally Said Yes to Politics

Randy never imagined running for office. As an introverted engineer, public life wasn’t appealing — until he realized that sitting on the sidelines meant surrendering his children’s future to people without a clear vision or commitment to North Idaho values.

He decided leadership meant stepping into discomfort when the moment demands it.

He describes it perfectly:
“We have a duty to build. Our grandparents got to enjoy good times. This is our generation’s turn to fight for the future.”.