Hamilton, however, prefers to keep the focus of McGeachins candidacy on her credentials. [68] While addressing a crowd of fellow Republicans at a campaign appearance, McGeachin criticized the Boise Police Department and Boise State University for holding a conference to study right-wing extremism, and said of Anthony Fauci (the U.S. government's top infectious disease scientist): "we'll lock him up. She entered politics in 2002 when elected to a seat in the state house. All rights reserved, If you choose local pickup, please get your gift certificate at our office at 400 W. Sunnyside in Idaho Falls Dismiss, defended accepting the coronavirus relief payments, Man charged with murder in Dylan Rounds case, Caught on camera: Moose charges snowmobilers by Palisades, Man allegedly kidnapped woman, held air freshener to her nose and mouth, Giant flying insect found on Walmart building turns out to be Jurassic-era find, Video shows suspect with blood stains as he cleaned gun following Dylan Rounds disappearance, charges say. 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. The fowl-named drink is a layered shooter, made of one part Kahlua, one part Irish cream and one part whiskey. McGeachin said she was an early adopter of Trump leading the Republican Party. Little and McGeachin have become famously locked in disharmony. 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. It is time to make Idaho free again, she said. And thats whats not fair., Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin - Wikipedia Who Is Janice McGeachin's Husband? Beck, who also has penned several newspaper op-eds defending McGeachin, told the Statesman he backs her because shes honest, transparent and conservative.. 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. Educated at the University of Arizona, McGeachin owned several businesses in Idaho Falls. The committee was premised on the notion that "the scourge of critical race theory, socialism, communism, and Marxism" was "infiltrating" the Idaho school and college system. In addition, Beck is the state committeeman for the Bonneville County GOP and a board member for the Idaho Freedom Foundation, a powerful right-wing lobbying group. Brian Myrick / Idaho Press. Shes marvelous. No matter how much people are trying to tear her down, she just has an ability to ignore it and move on with what she feels is right., Machele Hamilton, left, a House District 12 Republican primary candidate, and Lt. Gov. Will that be a really impactful endorsement, or not really a defining kind of factor in determining outcomes? [58][52], In October 2021, while Little was out of state touring the Southern border, McGeachin, claiming power as acting governor in Little's absence, issued an executive order banning state officials from requiring proof of vaccination from employees and sought to ban employers from requiring vaccinations altogether. Janice McGeachin walks down the front steps of the Idaho State Capitol building, with her husband Jim, prior to taking the podium to announce her run for Governor, Wednesday, May 19,. FILE . McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[76] and the general election. I was hoping that he would see the virtue of keeping it in place, she said. We still talk, but havent for a while.. The reverend on the task force lives in the Treasure Valley, has led a parachurch ministry for the last two decades, has a masters degree in curriculum and development and is a credentialed teacher in Idaho and California, Watters said. Critics, including State Board President Kurt Liebich say theyve seen little evidence of widespread indoctrination. Liebich doubled down during the task forces second meeting in June, saying he had not seen any evidence of indoctrination in our public education system to date, via a written statement. [9][67] In announcing her candidacy, McGeachin attacked public health measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 and said that Idaho should reject federal funding to preserve "state sovereignty," although she did not give details. Under her vision for the state, McGeachin said, businesses and churches will never be forcibly closed, as happened during the stay-at-home order out of concern for public health. However, McGeachin declined to say whether she has been vaccinated for COVID-19, or if she has ever contracted the virus, calling both personal questions.. She is the first female lieutenant governor of Idaho. [83], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[84] and the general election. In one recent check-in, McGeachin said, she sought his guidance. Lt. Gov. The task force, aimed at rooting out alleged teachings on social justice, critical race theory, socialism, communism, (and) Marxism from public schools, is co-chaired by McGeachin, running for governor in 2022, and Rep. Priscilla Giddings, R-White Bird, who entered the race for lieutenant governor. Just put your head down and keep going. At a March rally in southeast Boise for semi-truckers headed to Washington, D.C., to protest pandemic-related restrictions, McGeachin defended her fiery platform and her supporters to the crowd gathered on a small lawn next to a highway offramp truck stop. [41][38][50] McGeachin issued the order without consulting Little,[38] and against the wishes of state health officials who had sought a statewide mask mandate,[51] which Idaho has never had. Sex with animals.. Crowd of 100 at Idaho Capitol came to support McGeachin for governor McGeachin faced no Democratic challenger in the general election in three out of the five races, easily beating her opponent the other two times with more than 71% of the vote. [43] In August 2020, McGeachin headlined a rally organized by the right-wing, conspiracist John Birch Society at the rally in Twin Falls, where speakers decried public health measures to combat the coronavirus. She argued, however, that her actions did not violate the governors restrictions, because her pub also includes a restaurant. McGeachin herself donned a mask at times around the Capitol during a statewide peak of COVID-19 from the delta variant, telling the Statesman she did so out of respect for others who were there. Traditionally the officeholder in the bench-warmer spot has waited until the governor chose to end his run, or transitioned to a federal position. [9] Trump endorsed McGeachin's candidacy. Trump calls her just about every other week to inquire about the campaign, she said. [15][19] McGeachin narrowly won the Republican primary election on May 15, 2018, with 28.9% of the vote, then defeated Democratic nominee Kristin Collum in the November general election. 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. Its just about all women supporting each other, McGeachin said. Laura van Voorhees recently moved to Kootenai County from California. 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. Janice McGeachin, America First Warrior - Facebook Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin received over $300k in federal COVID 30 talking about this. Idaho Lt. Gov. She went on to defeat Democratic candidate Kristin Collum in the general election with nearly 60% of votes. [8] As a Republican, she was a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 2002 to 2012. All three politicos now carry the highly sought-after endorsement of Americas polarizing 45th president. McGeachin announces governor run | Coeur d'Alene Press Isaac Moffett founded the now-defunct Nampa Classical Academy and drew headlines in 2009 when his school sued the state in hopes of using the Bible and other religious texts in his charter schools curriculum. Regardless, McGeachins faithful following has continued to grow. Idaho's governor left the state. Janice McGeachin announces run for governor Brian Myrick/Idaho Press May 19, 2021 1 of 12 As featured on Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin's income source is mostly from being a successful Politician. [6][7], McGeachin unsuccessfully ran for Bonneville County commissioner in 2000, her first bid for elected office. Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin spoke virtually at an event organized by White nationalist Nick Fuentes in Florida at the end of February.. And I have had two healthy pregnancies, said McGeachin, long a vocal advocate against a womans right to obtain an abortion. 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. The Republican is the first sitting governor in more than 30 years to refuse to take part in the Idaho Debates, which air statewide on Idaho Public Television. July fundraising reports will trickle in over the next few days, as candidates report their monthly activity. [6][74][75] She opposes minimum wages, believing that government should play no role in determining wages. 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. Their son followed three years later. BOISE (Idaho Statesman) Idahos lieutenant governor opened the front door of her campaign headquarters mid-morning on a Wednesday, the lone occupant at the converted office space neighboring a dry cleaning facility and a pest control company. As part of a 10-point platform in her first 100 days as governor, McGeachin said she will work to prevent and eliminate all pandemic-related public health mandates, add incentives to increase production of firearms and ammunition in the state and strengthen abortion restrictions. Janice McGeachin and her husband, Jim, stand on the steps of the Idaho State Capitol as she announced her run for Governor in Boise on May 19, 2021. Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin launches bid for governor, challenging She met her husband, Jimmy McGeachin, while she was in high school and he attended college at the University of Idaho, she said. [58] McGeachin also opposes vaccine mandates. 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. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com, If you ask the kids, Henry told a small crowd gathered during a fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery, the very best day that they had last year, it was the one day that she (issued) the executive order for them to go to school without a mask. The room erupted in cheers and applause, as one attendee shouted, FREEDOM!. [66], In May 2021, McGeachin filed as a candidate seeking election as governor of Idaho in 2022, challenging incumbent governor Brad Little in the Republican primary. Brian Myrick / Idaho Press. 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. 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. ), Beck and his wife, Lynn, each contributed campaign maximums to McGeachin for the primary, according to Idaho secretary of state records, as well as tens of thousands of dollars more to several far-right candidates, political action committees and the Republican National Committee. Janice McGeachin is a well-known figure in the United States. Henry said she was also a supporter of the task force McGeachin launched last spring when she thrust herself and the state into the fray of national turmoil over the content taught in public schools. Some lawmakers, including longtime friends, refuse to talk about her, or request to go off the record. Much of the ongoing feud appears to have arisen from the governors decisions during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic helping inspire her to become the second lieutenant governor since 1932 to take on the Idaho governor in a primary, according to Kettlers analysis. [38] Little also noted that her order duplicated a proposed bill that had failed to pass the state legislature. Its not all about I am woman, hear me roar, she said. Ive said many times, Id jump in front of a bus for her, she told the audience at the winery fundraiser. Idaho Lt. Gov. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. She owns an Irish pub in Idaho Falls and co-owns a wholesale automotive parts supply store and a torque converter remanufacturing facility with her husband. In her statement, she challenged news outlets for accusing conservatives of believing everything ever said by anyone with whom they share a stage, adding that she does not support identity politics or other discriminatory views.. Its in our homes, she said. McGeachin remembers the city back then as a great place to grow up a small and supportive community. The rotation of bartenders appears to be playing to their VIPs, frequently stopping to check in on the McGeachins and their daughter. | Sami Edge, Idaho Education News. Repeatedly passed off by school district officials, Henry said, she reached out to the governors office for help. | Kevin Fixler, kfixler@idahostatesman.com. McGeachin is asking taxpayers to cover $50,000 worth of her legal costs, Boise State Public Radio reported. Two weeks before Idahos primary election, McGeachin stepped onto an outdoor stage on a Wednesday evening in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered at Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park in Meridian for a rally in her honor. 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. That was as true as ever, she said, almost 46 years ago when she was in junior high and the Teton Dam failed, flooding southeastern Idaho. Beck is not sure how McGeachin made the connection to Trump, he said, but she did it all on her own. 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. [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. Without naming McGeachin, Little disavowed her appearance at the conference on social media, saying it was extremely unfortunate anyone in elected office in Idaho must make statements like these., Idaho Lt. Gov. [13], McGeachin was a delegate for Donald Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention, and was vice-chair of Trump's Idaho campaign committee. She also inquired with the Idaho National Guard about ordering troops to the U.S.-Mexico border that Little was visiting. When they passed gay marriage, they opened Pandoras box. Janice McGeachin is the first female Lt. McGeachin urges Gov. His pick for governor in Nebraska, alleged sexual abuser Charles Herbster, failed to make it through the primary last week. To Montana the shot buyer offers to his group of new best friends. On an early April evening, theyre there for dinner and a few rounds of drinks, while the familys matriarch is home from the campaign trail. She lost the primary by just 241 votes to one-term Commissioner Lee Staker, a former state senator who went on to serve 18 years in the post. Conservative Republican & Principled America First Warrior who always stands up for individual rights Janice McGeachin attends a rally to support semi-truckers and protest against COVID-19 vaccination mandates for employment held in Boise in March. Its a daily process, she said. My disagreements with his decisions of shutting businesses down and managing the pandemic grew, McGeachin said. 2023 Idaho Ed News. Fundraising allowed some successful statewide candidates to dominate the airwaves. [64][65] Legal experts dismissed the suit as meritless,[65] and it was rejected by the Supreme Court. The two married and are celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary this summer, McGeachin said, fiddling with a thick-banded, diamond-encrusted ring around her right middle finger. McGeachin Signs Executive Order on Mask Mandates, "Idaho healthcare leaders plead for coronavirus mask mandate", Idaho lieutenant governor keeps focus on vaccine mandates, McGeachin's office used misleading number to disparage COVID vaccines, Idaho hospitals begin rationing health care amid COVID surge, Idaho under statewide 'crisis standards' for rationing care, Idaho morgues are running out of space for bodies as covid-19 deaths mount, Idaho governor asks people to get COVID-19 vaccine.