Branden Durst hopes to win the May 17 GOP state superintendents primary by running against all things Sherri Ybarra and Debbie Critchfield. We will expand our Second Amendment liberties and secure our state. McGeachin, through a campaign spokesperson, declined a follow-up request from the Statesman for comment about her churchs positions on same-sex marriage and the LGBTQ community. Janice McGeachin spoke virtually at an event organized by White nationalist Nick Fuentes in Florida at the end of February.. This is our country, and were going to take it back! Rogers shouted to the crowd. McGeachin not only listened to her and other parents, Henry said, but also their children. [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. But, at that time, McGeachin also wasnt known for bucking the rules and norms of government, as shes more closely associated with today. She also has sparked controversy over her repeated interactions with fringe, extremist and racist figures. She also inquired with the Idaho National Guard about ordering troops to the U.S.-Mexico border that Little was visiting. 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. Sami Edge/Idaho Education News (UPDATED: Oct. 19, reflecting the death of Pete Coulson from COVID-19.) [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. Brian Myrick / Idaho Press. Janice McGeachin launches bid for governor, challenging. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue. . Pete Coulson worked as a coach and counselor for children. [5] [81], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary. It was an affirmation to me when I won the lieutenant governors race, McGeachin said, before referencing her status as the first woman in the position, and chance of making history again as governor. But I think its important that we stand strong.. 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. A member of the Republican Party, she was previously a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 2002 until 2012.[5]. McGeachin is asking taxpayers to cover $50,000 worth of her legal costs, Boise State Public Radio reported. Sami Edge/Idaho Education News A day after announcing she will run for governor in 2022, Lt. Gov. 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. She is the first female lieutenant governor of Idaho. [71] Of Idaho's 44 counties, McGeachin carried just four, all in the Idaho Panhandle. 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. . Suddenly, the bartender is zipping through the aisle asking those seated if they would like a shot. The federal government has become too restrictive in how we teach our kids, manage health care, build our roads and manage our resources." [31] Idaho teachers described McGeachin's committee as a McCarthyist attack on teachers and a distraction from the challenges faced by Idaho's education system in reality. Among their favorite ski resorts are Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole, both in Wyoming near the Idaho border, and Sun Valley, where the family also owns a home just south of Ketchum. To Montana the shot buyer offers to his group of new best friends. A member of the Idaho Liberty Dogs, a right-wing citizen group, stands guard with a holstered handgun, walkie-talkie and earpiece at a campaign rally for Lt. Gov. The Idaho Capital Sun has filed a public record's request with McGeachin's office. [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 pastor of the Cowboy Church, Scotty Brown, looks the part. Janice McGeachin's association with extreme, anti-law enforcement factions has prompted them to oppose her run for governor. His research focuses on the politics of families and marriage. Shes not the Janice that people grew up with, Thompson, who is running to rejoin the state House, told the Statesman in an interview. [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. The McGeachins had their first child, a daughter, the year after they married. In one recent check-in, McGeachin said, she sought his guidance. Rev. A cadre of Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group with links to white supremacy, also stalked the grounds. And thats whats not fair., Lt. Gov. One of the big questions were seeing in general about elections this year is about how much effect Trump will have, said Jaclyn Kettler, a political science professor at Boise State University. 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. Its just about all women supporting each other, McGeachin said. Those arent the types of invites she gets from her old colleagues anymore. Lt. Gov. It makes us feel happy that they want to continue to be part of our companies and continue to stay in our community.. 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). Janice McGeachin, her husband and their two adult children share ownership of The Celt Pub & Grill, an Irish-themed bar and restaurant in downtown Idaho Falls. Delivering the phone back to McGeachins daughter, he has some advice. I stood with them then, and I stand with them today., Lt. Gov. 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. Janice McGeachin said Wednesday she was running for governor of Idaho . The family spends leisure time skiing, camping and playing golf, although McGeachin calls herself more of a hacker out on the fairways. The departure had nothing to do with his participation on the task force, Moffett told the Idaho State Journal. Its not enough to just silently nod along, McGeachin told rallygoers. 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. 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. 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. calls that 'shameful', Idaho governor repeals political rival's executive order. [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. In 2012, she and her family . The Republican lieutenant governors candidate backed out after debate organizers would not give her an advance list of reporters on the panel. In each case, Little returned the next day and rescinded McGeachins order, calling the first instance an irresponsible, self-serving political stunt.. Governor Janice McGeachin arrives at a rally to support semi-truckers and protest against COVID-19 vaccination mandates for employment held in Boise in March. Repeatedly passed off by school district officials, Henry said, she reached out to the governors office for help. [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. In one case this spring, a touring musician took to social media to announce a last-minute cancellation of his scheduled concert there when he found out McGeachin was a co-owner. Janice McGeachin fined $750 over public record violations, Lt. Gov. 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. Among her longtime supporters, McGeachin counts Doyle Beck, a retired construction company CEO and conservative political activist who also is a fierce backer of Trump. [79], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary. [8] As a Republican, she was a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 2002 to 2012. Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Brad Little wins GOP primary over Trump's pick, Lt. Gov. This election asks one simple question: Is my Idaho your Idaho? McGeachin said, to loud applause and supporters standing up from the camping chairs they brought from home. (UPDATED: Oct. 19, reflecting the death of Pete Coulson from COVID-19.). Janice McGeachin settles Idaho Press Club Lawsuit, Public records show McGeachin billed nearly $17,000 for her own legal fees in records lawsuit, Idaho leaders don't act on McGeachin legal fee request, Idaho lieutenant governor banned mask mandates while the governor was out of town. Little to reopen all businesses in Idaho by April 30, Activist apologizes after refusing to leave playground, 'Freedom' rally in Twin Falls decries moderate Republicans, public education, masks and the media, Idaho lieutenant gov. After buying and restoring the historic building, the McGeachins are celebrating the pubs 10-year anniversary in 2022. But shes a hard worker for what we stand for maintaining our republic. The Foundation stirred upheaval in this years legislative session over leftist indoctrination in the classroom, an effort that stalled education budgets. She defeated four rivals for the job, receiving 29% of the vote to edge former state GOP chair Steve Yates by fewer than 3,000 votes. She said she took a pair of trips, to Trump Tower in New York City and his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, to explain her role as vice chair of his presidential campaign in Idaho before serving as a delegate at the Republican National Convention in 2016 and 2020. Hes a career firefighter who has also represented his school district in the Idaho School Boards Association. Shes touted her business acumen as a reason why shes qualified, said David Roth, former chair of the Bonneville County Democratic Party, now running to challenge U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, in November. Janice McGeachin, the renegade lieutenant governor of Idaho who is running for governor, likes to portray herself as a law-and-order candidate. First, in May, she banned mask mandates by state and local authorities while Little was attending a Republican Governors Association conference in Tennessee. Janice McGeachin in her bid for governor, held May 4 at Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park in Meridian. Amid a deluge of partisan cheerleading, anti-LGBTQ speech and Trump worship from invited speakers, Idahos lieutenant governor took hold of the mic. Since winning the lieutenant governors office, McGeachin has regularly garnered the spotlight for her combative relationship with Little. [59][73] She appeared at a rally for the Three Percenters, an anti-government militia movement group. 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. We just like to keep our businesses separate from the politics as much as possible, McGeachin said, picking at her fingernails.