Idaho Statesman reporters Ian Max Stevenson and Ryan Suppe contributed. [36], As lieutenant governor, McGeachin has had a strained relationship with the governor, Brad Little,[14][38][39] despite the fact that Little is a fellow conservative Republican. The soup of the day is beef taco, and the $5 drink special is a melon berry ros sangria. 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. In her 3 years as lieutenant governor, she has publicly defied the governors pandemic requirements, issued executive orders in his absence and ignored the advice of the Idaho attorney generals office on release of public records. [11][43] In late-April 2020, McGeachin urged reopening all businesses in Idaho by April 30,[44] and also spoke at a protest in eastern Idaho against stay-at-home directives. 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. It now acts as the nerve center for Republican Janice McGeachins upstart political ambitions for governor. After years in the local Rotary Club and Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce, McGeachin made her first run at elected office in 2000, in the Republican primary for Bonneville County commissioner. Educated at the University of Arizona, McGeachin owned several businesses in Idaho Falls. "[47][39], In November 2020, McGeachin submitted a proposal to Governor Little's Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee, seeking to spend $17 million in federal COVID-19 aid funds to purchase and operate two "walk-through disinfectant cubes" at the Idaho state Capitol. Idaho is one of 20 U.S. states that has never had a female governor. President, how do you deal with some of this stuff when you were kind of under fire? He said: Never back down. . As lieutenant governor, McGeachin aligned herself with Donald Trump and frequently clashed with Little. A boat repair lot sits across the street. She unsuccessfully challenged Little in the Republican primary for governor in the 2022 election. Trump calls her just about every other week to inquire about the campaign, she said. The federal government has become too restrictive in how we teach our kids, manage health care, build our roads and manage our resources." Idaho attorney general won't support it", "Supreme Court rejects Republican attack on Biden victory", McGeachin becomes 7th candidate to file preliminary paperwork for run for governor in 2022, "Donald Trump endorses McGeachin for Idaho governor", Lt. Gov. Its pronounced Ma-Gee-in.. Janice McGeachin, who's running for governor, has thrown some of her political weight into a child welfare case involving a 10-month-old baby. McGeachins push to become Idahos lead executive is her second campaign for statewide office after a narrow margin of victory in 2018s Republican primary for lieutenant governor. [70] Little won re-nomination with 52.81% of the vote, with McGeachin receiving 32.24% of the vote, Edward R. Humphreys receiving 10.96% of the vote, and an assortment of minor candidates receiving the rest. Idaho Lt. Gov. One of the bartenders approaches the party of three to enlist use of a cellphone to take photos of the family from behind the bar. The makeup of Lt. Gov. Janet Adams is a retired Coeur dAlene lawyer. About halfway through, he reminded attendees about various forms of sin in the eyes of God. The governor and lieutenant governor publicly feuded,[59][60][61][62] and Little rescinded McGeachin's orders while he was still in Texas, saying that McGeachin's order was unauthorized because his "temporary presence in Texas on official business" did not impair his "ability to represent the people of Idaho thus necessitating action by another executive to ensure the continuity of state government. McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[76] and the general election. Janice McGeachin (then Kyes), lower right, appears in her sophomore year portrait in the 1979 yearbook for Skyline High School, located in Idaho Falls. 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. Brad Little wins GOP primary over Trump's pick, Lt. Gov. EastIdahoNews.com, LLC. The Foundation stirred upheaval in this years legislative session over leftist indoctrination in the classroom, an effort that stalled education budgets. [38] In July 2021, when Little was out of state on a different trip, McGeachin wrote a letter to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, demanding information on what incentives Idaho healthcare providers may have "to impose vaccine mandates on their employees. Janice McGeachin greets Randy and Colleen Crawford, of Caldwell, at a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. [31] The Idaho Statesman editorial board described the effort as "a manufactured witch hunt" driven by the "far-right fringe of Idaho's politics. He left the school in 2010 and has worked as a teacher and school administrator since, according to his LinkedIn page. Janice McGeachin, as Senate president, presides over a session in March. "[6][21], In February 2019, McGeachin posted a photo on her Facebook page of her posing in front of her Idaho State Capitol door with two members of the 3 Percenters, an anti-government militia movement group. [70], McGeachin is part of the far-right wing of the Republican Party. A political philosophy professor and a former Idaho State Board of Education president also sit on the 14-member assembly. Idaho Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, said McGeachins relationship with Republican leadership has soured during her time as lieutenant governor. McGeachin criticized the governor's coronavirus policies while touting the technology, although a National Institutes of Health study published months earlier determined that the use of "walk-through sanitation gates" was ineffective, possibly dangerous, and violates global health standards. [73], McGeachin and Republican Representative Larry C. Bradford were re-districted to 31A. Her participation in that event - which also featured . Janice McGeachin, take questions during a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. [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. 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. But, at that time, McGeachin also wasnt known for bucking the rules and norms of government, as shes more closely associated with today. Janice McGeachin announces run for Idaho governor, "GOP leaders in Idaho have ties to extremist movement", Idaho healthcare leaders plead for coronavirus mask mandate, Idaho's Anti-Lockdown Lieutenant Governor Has Gone Rogue, "Republican National Convention approaches", "2 more candidates to run for Idaho lieutenant governor", "Janice McGeachin announces Lt. The judge found that McGeachin acted "in bad faith" and that "It appears to the court that respondent would stop at nothing, no matter how misguided, to shield public records from the public. 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. Once the pandemic plunged local economies and governments into turmoil during a 37-day statewide, stay-at-home order, McGeachin began openly flouting Littles public health rules. McGeachin lists the First Presbyterian Church of Idaho Falls on her campaign website, but said she hasnt regularly attended the church for a couple years. [81], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary. She met her husband, Jimmy McGeachin, while she was in high school and he attended college at the University of Idaho, she said. [74] In the voter pamphlet, she contended, "The federal government has become too restrictive in how we teach our kids, manage health care, build our roads and manage our resources. She also was a member of the Teddy Bears, the schools choreographed drill team, and involved in student council her sophomore year. "[32] The president-elect of the Idaho School Boards Association resigned from McGeachin's task force a week after its first meeting, writing that the task force seemed aimed at "partisan campaigning. 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. Idaho Lt. Gov. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. "[69], In the May 17, 2022 Republican primary election, McGeachin lost to Little. BOISE (Idaho Statesman) Idaho Lt. Gov. Governor promotes 'walk-thru disinfectant cubes', Idaho lieutenant governor got pandemic loans for business, Acting as Idaho Governor, Lt. Gov. 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. PHOTOS: Lt. Gov. Since winning the lieutenant governors office, McGeachin has regularly garnered the spotlight for her combative relationship with Little. Little and McGeachin have become famously locked in disharmony. A cadre of Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group with links to white supremacy, also stalked the grounds. Idaho deserves law-abiding leaders, not divisive leaders. 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. Grace Panetta and Nicole Gaudiano May 17, 2022, 8:00 PM - Idaho Lt. Gov. Idaho governor and lieutenant governor get into Twitter fight over state's executive orders, Idaho's 4 electors cast votes for Trump and Pence, "Motion For Leave (1) To File Brief Of Lieutenant Governor Janice Mcgeachin, Senator Lora Reinbold, Representative David Eastman, Et Al (Elected State Officials) As Amici Curiae In Support Of Plaintiff, And (2) To Do So In An Unbound Format On 8 12-By-11-Inch Paper, And (3) To Do So Without Ten Days' Advance Notice To The Parties", "Texas wants to overturn millions of votes. It remains the only election McGeachin has lost. 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. [6], McGeachin supported Mitt Romney in the 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries[12] and the 2012 Republican Party presidential primaries. Lt. Gov. When they passed gay marriage, they opened Pandoras box. Proms and school sports seasons will never again be canceled, she promised. She found herself embroiled in controversy when she posted - and deleted - a photo on her Facebook page that appears to show her. The contest includes eight candidates, with the top three fundraisers so far being Little, the one-term incumbent and rancher from Emmett; McGeachin, owner of several businesses in Idaho Falls; and newcomer Ed Humphreys, a financial adviser who lives in Eagle. Throwing her hat in the ring for governor, McGeachin appealed to Trump for his endorsement over Little. [77], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[78] and for the general election. McGeachin has the endorsement, which is something she has really highlighted in her campaign materials. Janice McGeachin facing public condemnation over photo with 3 Percenters", "Idaho Lieutenant Governor Faces Backlash For Photo Supporting Jailed Militiaman", "Idaho Lt. Gov. Former Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney, a Republican, recently launched a political action committee with the support of a dozen retired members of Idaho law enforcement to advocate against McGeachin for governor. Michael Nelson said hes a former police officer who worked a 25-year career in the San Francisco area. Defend & Protect Idaho said the effort is a response to what they call rising instances of dangerous extremism and militia mentality around the state, and McGeachins ties to them. [48], In July 2020, McGeachin condemned federal economic relief granted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Repeatedly passed off by school district officials, Henry said, she reached out to the governors office for help. Lt. Gov. McGeachin on Fauci: I'll "lock him up", "Idaho Gov. Ask Nampa resident Amy Henry, and shell eagerly explain how McGeachins one-day executive order banning masks was overdue, and a game-changer for Idaho schoolchildren. It is estimated that her net worth is somewhere between $1 million and $3 million. 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. [30][31] Committee members discussed proposals to abolish the Idaho State Board of Education. Pull open the door on a Saturday evening dinner rush at The Celt Pub & Grill in Idaho Falls, and youll find nary a seat, except for maybe one at the bar. 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. Ive made my statements about who I am and what I believe in, McGeachin told the Idaho Statesman in a sit-down interview. She does get national exposure for our state, and, at least in my opinion, it hasnt been to the benefit of the state as a whole.. Previously unidentified, five other task force members introduced themselves at the task forces inaugural meeting. We will expand our Second Amendment liberties and secure our state. The pastor of the Cowboy Church, Scotty Brown, looks the part. | Kevin Fixler kfixler@idahostatesman.com. Well, whats after that? | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. Pretty soon its just going to be normal and natural to be a pedophile. "[33], In August 2021, a state judge fined McGeachin $750 for violating the Idaho Public Records Act by failing to turn over documents requested by the Idaho Press Club.