Her relationship with Little finally boiled over last year when McGeachin leveraged the Idaho Constitution, which bestows power upon her position when the governor is out of state, and issued a pair of pandemic-related executive orders. McGeachin told the Statesman she didnt issue the orders thinking the governor would automatically reverse her statewide decrees. The Republican gubernatorial race also stands to have national implications, given Trumps involvement, as well as the likelihood that its victor will steer the direction of the state for at least the next four years after Novembers general election. Lt. Gov. I admit, to a certain extent, it was a little bit surprising, Little told the Statesman during an April phone interview, adding he didnt know why Trump endorsed his chief rival. After Little backed out of a scheduled debate, McGeachin organized the event for the same night with a slate of fellow far-right candidates. And were both very grateful for that. [41][56][57] Overwhelmed by a surge of COVID-19 patients, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare activated "crisis standards" that allowed hospitals in the state to ration healthcare. Machele Hamilton, the state GOP vice chair and a close friend to McGeachin, said that approach is one of the qualities she admires most about the lieutenant governor. Regardless, McGeachins faithful following has continued to grow. Janice McGeachins Task Force to Examine Indoctrination in Idaho Education has changed shape slightly since its membership was announced in May as more details have emerged about its members. Britney Spears and husband Sam Asghari rock matching outfits for a trip . | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. She spoke of a rift between her and her daughter, which she attributes in part to critical race theory teachings at her daughters former college in California. Henry, a former Boise School District junior high teacher, said her 12-year-old daughter was bullied and beaten up, and their home address released online, leading to stalking, death threats and two break-in attempts. The federal government has become too restrictive in how we teach our kids, manage health care, build our roads and manage our resources." Little Says He Hasn't Spoken To Lt. Gov McGeachin In Weeks, Cases of coronavirus in Idaho spike after businesses reopen, Lt. Gov. Janice Kyes McGeachin ( / mi.n /; born January 18, 1963) [1] is an American far-right [2] [3] [4] politician and businesswoman who served as the 43rd lieutenant governor of Idaho from 2019 to 2023. A cadre of Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group with links to white supremacy, also stalked the grounds. Janice Kyes McGeachin (/mi.n/; born January 18, 1963)[1] is an American far-right[2][3][4] politician and businesswoman who served as the 43rd lieutenant governor of Idaho from 2019 to 2023. As a result of many of her more controversial decisions, McGeachin has become a third rail of Idaho politics. Professor Scott Yenor is a professor of political philosophy at Boise State University. McGeachin drew similar scrutiny over several incidents that included members of the Three Percenters, which the Anti-Defamation League labels an anti-government militia movement. Late last week, Idaho Lt. Ive made my statements about who I am and what I believe in, McGeachin told the Idaho Statesman in a sit-down interview. But, then again, McGeachin, 59, is a surprise candidate, having emerged from relative anonymity after years away from public office to win the lieutenant governors race four years ago as an underdog. She more often drops into one in the Wood River Valley, she said, and another, more worship-based congregation in Idaho Falls called Watersprings Church. A month later, she administered an oath to members of the Real Three Percent of Idaho, including Eric Parker, the groups leader, who said she once told him if she were elected, he would have a friend in the governors office. Parker endorsed McGeachin for governor last year. "[69], In the May 17, 2022 Republican primary election, McGeachin lost to Little. As a man in the audience yelled a vulgarity about Little referencing the female anatomy, drawing laughter from the crowd, McGeachin accused the incumbent governor of losing touch with Idaho values, and turning his back on residents during the pandemic. She also tried to deploy the Idaho National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border, according to Little and Maj. Gen. Michael Garshak, who heads the states National Guard. Lt. Gov. I just wish she was better in presenting herself, said Dr. John Lee, a retired veterinarian who lives in Nampa, while attending the winery fundraiser with family. [80] She won the general election with 71.19% of the vote against Democratic nominee Scott Cannon. Amid a deluge of partisan cheerleading, anti-LGBTQ speech and Trump worship from invited speakers, Idahos lieutenant governor took hold of the mic. poses with protesters in support of standoff prisoner", "McGeachin in statement: 'I wholeheartedly reject bigotry and discrimination', Dangerous Embrace of the Militia Movement, "Marjorie Taylor Greene Speaks At White Nationalist Conference", Idaho Lt. Gov. [36] The legislature declined McGeachin's request to have the costs of the settlement paid by the state budget. [8] As a Republican, she was a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 2002 to 2012. Educated at the University of Arizona, McGeachin owned several businesses in Idaho Falls. [85] She announced on February 24, 2012, that she would not be seeking re-election. Beck said hes never spoken to Trump about McGeachin the three or four times theyve met, and thought his prior campaign donations to the former president played no role in McGeachin earning Trumps endorsement. Shes no longer shown herself to be the very personable, outgoing, kind lawmaker he knew when she was a member of the state House and the two would occasionally collaborate on bills, he said. But, at that time, McGeachin also wasnt known for bucking the rules and norms of government, as shes more closely associated with today. Another source of inspiration for McGeachin can frequently be found hanging around her neck. Well, whats after that? [71] Of Idaho's 44 counties, McGeachin carried just four, all in the Idaho Panhandle. Colleagues recognized her as a member of the more conservative wing of the Republican Party, sponsoring anti-abortion bills and stridently opposing the Affordable Care Act, passed under Democratic President Barack Obama. [14][15][16][17], In April 2017, McGeachin filed to run for lieutenant governor of Idaho. The departure had nothing to do with his participation on the task force, Moffett told the Idaho State Journal. [45] In a May 2020 editorial, McGeachin wrote that, "I lose sleep at night because the heavy hand of our government is hurting so many Idahoans. Ive already addressed it, and that story just needs to go away, McGeachin told the Statesman, declining to field questions about her appearance at the conference. Janice McGeachin said Wednesday she was running for governor of Idaho . 3-2-1, he says, tapping the phones touch-screen shutter. We need Janice McGeachin. She argued, however, that her actions did not violate the governors restrictions, because her pub also includes a restaurant. Idahoans have a critically important choice to make a choice that will determine the course of our state for years to come. Previously unidentified, five other task force members introduced themselves at the task forces inaugural meeting. The men wore shirts promoting Todd Engel, who was sentenced to prison in connection with the Bundy standoff fatal encounter with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). McGeachin now appears to be following the same political formula that led to Trumps rapid rise, Thompson said, including his defeat of President Joe Biden in Idaho in 2020 by nearly 31 percentage points, despite losing the national election. Hes my best friend, my strongest supporter, and my partner in life, she said. Some lawmakers, including longtime friends, refuse to talk about her, or request to go off the record. [77], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[78] and for the general election. Because sin is progressive, right? Brown told the congregation. Pete Coulson worked as a coach and counselor for children. The single-story, cinder block building outside of Boise formerly housed a diesel fuel wholesaler. [9] Trump endorsed McGeachin's candidacy. After library bill vote, Boyle abruptly steps down from House Education, Lawmakers reject new ESA proposal in frustrated debate, Statehouse roundup, 2.27.23: Parental rights bill passes House easily, Coeur dAlene trustee calls anti-levy campaign disgusting and un-American. [37] Separately, McGeachin's attorneys billed her almost $17,000 to defend her in the records lawsuit; McGeachin said in 2022 that the public did not pay for these legal fees. Sometimes, a contrarian candidate wins in a closed Republican primary. When I am struggling, I know where I need to go to get strength, wisdom, encouragement. Beck, who also has penned several newspaper op-eds defending McGeachin, told the Statesman he backs her because shes honest, transparent and conservative.. [29] McGeachin's speech to the conference was criticized by Democrats and some Republicans for its antisemitic and pro-Putin contents. McGeachin attended Skyline High School, home of the Grizzlies, where she followed in her older sisters footsteps and was voted homecoming royalty. Little and McGeachin have become famously locked in disharmony. Online, the church describes its belief that marriage is the exclusive union between one woman and one man. Mark Hand, a retired Marine, said he joined the task force after he had to sit through a privilege and oppression class while attending school for social work in Washington. Its just the impact that it has on my family is not easy all the time, because they have to deal with the fallout, and our employees have to deal with that. [22] In a subsequent statement, McGeachin described the men as "two Second Amendment supporters who were here to support Todd Engel, an Idahoan who was treated unjustly by the court system," and said that she deleted the post after "a few people had begun erroneously assigning sinister motives which are contrary to my true character. After briefly stepping away from dinner, Janice McGeachin returns, but is stopped by an older patron at the bar, who is enjoying his second beer and identifies himself as Skip. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. Its not enough to just silently nod along, McGeachin told rallygoers. [27][28][29] McGeachin was apparently one of the highest-ranking elected officials to address the far-right conference. James Wilson first appeared through internet searches to be a controversial North Idaho evangelist who authored a book applying tenets of warfare to strategic evangelism, but he is not, McGeachins chief of staff Jordan Watters wrote by email May 27. Janice McGeachin enters the house chambers at the state Capitol building on Jan. 10, 2022 in Boise, Idaho. McGeachin claims the in-house smoked chicken wings are the best in the state. Janice McGeachin Thursday unveiled the membership list of her new "Task Force to Examine . After an onslaught of negative attention tied to the AFPAC event, including calls for her to resign, McGeachin responded by chastising the media a common target of her contempt, including consistent use of the phrase fake news media popularized by Trump. On May 17, the day Marsh Valley signed off on the separation, the Buhl School Districts board voted to hire Moffett to be president of the districts 34-student alternative high school, Wakapa, according to meeting minutes obtained by EdNews. Its perhaps a surprise location from which to mount a run for the states highest office. Since 2016, Beck and his family have donated the second-most money among Idaho residents directly to Trumps campaigns and political action committees, eclipsing $250,000, according to Federal Election Commission records. [40] The clashes intensified amid an intra-party split among Republicans on COVID-19 vaccinations, masks, and pandemic-related issues, on which traditional Republicans and the far-right disagreed. A federal appeals court overturned Idahos ban on same-sex marriage in 2014, and the U.S. Supreme Court legalized it across all 50 states a year later. Id say shes more withdrawn today, Winder, who supports Little, told the Statesman. McGeachins family businesses, particularly the pub, have become targets for harassment, she said, on account of her political ideology. [59][73] She appeared at a rally for the Three Percenters, an anti-government militia movement group.