[29], In 2021, McGeachin convened an "education indoctrination task force" co-chaired by fellow Republican Priscilla Giddings. Janice McGeachin fined $750 over public record violations, Lt. Gov. 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. Janice McGeachin greets Randy and Colleen Crawford, of Caldwell, at a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. "[43] By July 2020, after the state's economy had reopened, Idaho saw a spike in coronavirus cases. Governor promotes 'walk-thru disinfectant cubes', Idaho lieutenant governor got pandemic loans for business, Acting as Idaho Governor, Lt. Gov. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. [26], In February 2022, McGeachin appeared as a surprise video guest speaker at the America First Political Action Conference, hosted by prominent white nationalist Nick Fuentes. 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. The hourlong service mixed prayers, Christian-inspired acoustic country and a weekly poem, all built around Browns sermon. As lieutenant governor, McGeachin aligned herself with Donald Trump and frequently clashed with Little. Brad Little wins GOP primary over Trump's pick, Lt. Gov. Unseating an incumbent is no easy task, and McGeachin is up against an opponent in Little who has fundraised more than $2 million, or roughly triple her donation haul, according to Idaho secretary of state records. In 2012, she and her family . Jason Knopp is the vice chairman of the Melba School Districts board. McGeachin is asking taxpayers to cover $50,000 worth of her legal costs, Boise State Public Radio reported. Ryan Spoon, who said hes a West Point graduate and father, expressed worry about critical race theory being taught at U.S. military academies. Sometimes they refer to us as being extreme for our views, McGeachin said, before reading a quote from the late Republican U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater. BOISE (Idaho Statesman) Idaho Lt. Gov. [74] She opposes Medicaid expansion and was a leading opponent of 2018 Proposition 2, an initiative to expand Medicaid coverage to about 62,000 Idahoans. 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. [64][65] Legal experts dismissed the suit as meritless,[65] and it was rejected by the Supreme Court. Will that be a really impactful endorsement, or not really a defining kind of factor in determining outcomes? A spokesperson for Little said staff has no record or recollection of Henry contacting the governors office. McGeachin and her husband, Jim, also own the wholesale automotive parts supplier store Idaho Transmission Warehouse, which has two Idaho locations, as well as a torque convertor remanufacturing. [6][74][75] She opposes minimum wages, believing that government should play no role in determining wages. Littles staff never returned her umpteen-million phone calls, she said. Lt. Gov. But the media likes to continue to try to destroy my character and my reputation, and, I dont know, it may be in an effort for us to maybe back down. The McGeachins two adult children run an Irish pub the family owns in a historic building they restored in downtown Idaho Falls. I thought it was a perfect saying for Janice, because of everything shes going through, and how much everyone makes her something she is not, Hamilton said by phone. The family who drinks together stays together, right? the bartender says. She met her husband, Jimmy McGeachin, while she was in high school and he attended college at the University of Idaho, she said. [71] Of Idaho's 44 counties, McGeachin carried just four, all in the Idaho Panhandle. Its not enough to just silently nod along, McGeachin told rallygoers. He wondered aloud whether the change is because she no longer feels supported by the state GOP, or because the majority of lawmakers are more in line with Little. Janice's McGeachin's chief of staff has informed McGeachin and a state budget administrator that he will resign when the Idaho Legislature adjourns for the year.. Jordan Watters, McGeachin's chief of staff, gave McGeachin notice of his resignation on Thursday, according to an email from Watters obtained by the Idaho Capital Sun. McGeachin is advocating for a nationwide audit of each states voter rolls as part of her gubernatorial platform, and also elimination of all mail-in ballots in Idaho elections. The bartender uses a backwards-facing spoon to pour each alcohol into the glass in layers and prevent them from mixing, before handing out the drinks to curious recipients. 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. Beck, who also has penned several newspaper op-eds defending McGeachin, told the Statesman he backs her because shes honest, transparent and conservative.. The state has also paused vendor payments from McGeachin's office, and McGeachin has told state officials to withhold her salary and benefits to avoid a budget shortfall. 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.. Janice McGeachin, take questions during a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. She is from NM. Since winning the lieutenant governors office, McGeachin has regularly garnered the spotlight for her combative relationship with Little. When he announced his run for president in 2015, she listened to his entire speech and knew instantly she wanted to support him, she said. Janice McGeachin", Far-right Idaho lieutenant governor McGeachin announces bid to unseat Little as governor, Lieutenant governor candidates differ on Medicaid, wages, Idaho Republicans push opposition to Medicaid expansion, "Days before filing begins, several candidates declare their intentions", November 6, 2018 General Election Results: Statewide Totals, "Idaho Governor Primary Election Results", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Janice_McGeachin&oldid=1142145521, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 19:27. The two got more serious when she moved back to their hometown after graduating from the University of Arizona in 1985 with a degree in business administration, majoring in finance. 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. "[52], McGeachin has used her office to promote misinformation to disparage COVID-19 vaccines. So when women especially conservative women try to get involved in this, we need to have encouragement as much as we can., Jennifer Curtiss, of Nampa, left, poses for a photo with Idaho GOP vice chair Machele Hamilton, center, and Lt. Gov. It remains the only election McGeachin has lost. [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. Lt. Gov. McGeachins family businesses, particularly the pub, have become targets for harassment, she said, on account of her political ideology. All three politicos now carry the highly sought-after endorsement of Americas polarizing 45th president. [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. Former U.S. Attorney General William Barr, whom Trump handpicked, has said of the presidents election allegations: It was all bullst.. Rogers is outspoken that the 2020 election was stolen, and after making antisemitic statements and calling for the public hanging of political foes in an AFPAC speech was censured by the Arizona Legislature in March. Full Name: Janice K. McGeachin Gender: Female Family: Husband: Jim; 2 Children: Liza, James Birth Date: 01/18/1963 Birth Place: Las Cruces, NM Home City: Idaho Falls, ID Religion: Christian Education keyboard_arrow_down Political Experience keyboard_arrow_down Caucuses/Former Committees keyboard_arrow_down She also was a member of the Teddy Bears, the schools choreographed drill team, and involved in student council her sophomore year. After the company's acceptance of the PPP funds was publicized, McGeachin said that the company accepted the funds to counter what she called harm "by the heavy hand of government in 2020. [1], McGeachin has had a number of business ventures. [77], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[78] and for the general election. [14][15][16][17], In April 2017, McGeachin filed to run for lieutenant governor of Idaho. McGeachin told The New York Times that Trump called her the day after she defended the former president in a June 2021 appearance on Fox News commentator Tucker Carlsons TV show, and she slipped in her intent to challenge Little during the conversation and asked for Trumps support. in finance and accounting from the University of Arizona. 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. Janet Adams is a retired Coeur dAlene lawyer. 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. Lt. Gov. Dark wood moulding with ornate Celtic inlay pay tribute to the pubs overarching theme, as do a row of soccer scarves and flags from the nations of the United Kingdom hanging overhead. McGeachin claims the in-house smoked chicken wings are the best in the state. "[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. Some lawmakers, including longtime friends, refuse to talk about her, or request to go off the record. [72] She concluded her term as lieutenant governor on January 2, 2023. McGeachins office previously said he has worked in school administration and social work. But in some legislative races, outside political groups might have played a bigger and more far-reaching role. During one of her final pitches to voters, McGeachin closely followed the path laid out before her by right-wing conservatives in the Trump era. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue. . "[38] Little said that McGeachin's order "unilaterally and unlawfully" forbade local officials from determining public-health policies in their own jurisdictions and would have forbidden the state from enforcing protective measures for social workers from making home visits to at-risk patients, or for employees in state testing labs. McGeachin has been married to Jim McGeachin for quite some time. 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. You know, Mr. [83], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[84] and the general election. [5] [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. Ive been pregnant twice. The unorthodox move was a big part of why she became a passionate McGeachin supporter, and now helps organize some of her campaign events. But I think its important that we stand strong.. McGeachin and Cawthorn fell on Tuesday. However, on Monday, a state budget administrator warned McGeachin state law places limitations on the ability to reduce an elected constitutional officer's salary mid-term . The single-story, cinder block building outside of Boise formerly housed a diesel fuel wholesaler. Janice McGeachin at a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. Lt. Gov. 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. Janice McGeachin announces run for governor Brian Myrick/Idaho Press May 19, 2021 1 of 12 As featured on Lt. Gov. Professor Scott Yenor is a professor of political philosophy at Boise State University. Where men are men, and sheep are scared! Jimmy McGeachin belts back, a joke about bestiality. She argued, however, that her actions did not violate the governors restrictions, because her pub also includes a restaurant. 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. He spoke about the forgotten man in this country and how the government in Washington, D.C., was too beholden to the corporations and the special interests and that we needed to return the government back to the people, McGeachin said. When I am struggling, I know where I need to go to get strength, wisdom, encouragement. Each rode the Make America Great Again wave under former President Donald Trump that propelled a number of far-right candidates into office. 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,. The family spends leisure time skiing, camping and playing golf, although McGeachin calls herself more of a hacker out on the fairways. Reporter Blake Jones covers the politics and policy of Idaho's K-12 public school system. 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. Who is Janice McGeachin Husband? 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. [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. Also joining were nationally known special guests freedom fighters, as McGeachin dubs them including former Fox News commentator Michelle Malkin and Arizona state Sen. Wendy Rogers, who each endorse McGeachin. Repeatedly passed off by school district officials, Henry said, she reached out to the governors office for help. Idaho Lt. Gov. A customer at the end of the bar, from Montana, wants to buy everyone a duck fart.. Today, hers is a household name throughout Idaho, even if many people are still unsure how to say it. Were getting to be too much of a centralized government on the federal level and getting away from what I believe our Founding Fathers intent was, McGeachin said, seated in her campaign headquarters office flanked by a framed photo of her firing an assault-style rifle. Ive said many times, Id jump in front of a bus for her, she told the audience at the winery fundraiser. Educated at the University of Arizona, McGeachin owned several businesses in Idaho Falls. [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. Heres what we know about the members so far: Anna Miller, from the Idaho Freedom Foundation, is an active voice in education policy discussions. President, how do you deal with some of this stuff when you were kind of under fire? He said: Never back down. . Janice McGeachin speaks during a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. [29] McGeachin's speech to the conference was criticized by Democrats and some Republicans for its antisemitic and pro-Putin contents. She was inspired to enter the race to help address the communitys rapid growth, and what she felt was a lack of planning to go with it, McGeachin recalled. 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. EastIdahoNews.com, LLC. 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. But a group of retired police officers and. Malkin has promoted anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric. 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. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. Governor to serve the state of Idaho. Joseph Kren was the principal at Priest River Lamanna High School through last spring, when he left the school after 34 years in Idaho education. But the seat also is viewed as a stepping stone for the states next governor, with five of Idahos past seven governors, including Little, 68, having served as second-in-command. McGeachin and her husband also own and operate an auto parts distribution center, a machine shop and two transmission repair shops. [7][9][10][11] As chair of the state House Health and Welfare Committee, she cut Medicaid funding and voted against legislation to create a state-based health insurance exchange. Throwing her hat in the ring for governor, McGeachin appealed to Trump for his endorsement over Little. In addition, McGeachin threw open the doors of her familys pub in Idaho Falls before the order preventing bars from reopening lapsed. Who Is Janice McGeachin's Husband? appears in video slamming virus rules, whether 'a pandemic may or may not be occurring', Idaho Lt. [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. 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. 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. We will make Idaho a sanctuary for life, protecting the unborn and protecting our elderly from abuse., Taking Trumps lead, McGeachin told the Statesman she thinks the former president won the 2020 election over Biden, though no evidence has been produced of widespread voter fraud, as Trump and his allies have claimed. But I think that this is the time that if we dont make the changes that need to happen, Idahos gone for our kids. We need Janice McGeachin. [53][54] By fall 2021, Idaho had among the nation's lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates. Their son followed three years later. The departure had nothing to do with his participation on the task force, Moffett told the Idaho State Journal. 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. And this is a manifestation of it in our face. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. Janice McGeachin attends a rally to support semi-truckers and protest against COVID-19 vaccination mandates for employment held in Boise in March. McGeachin attended Skyline High School, home of the Grizzlies, where she followed in her older sisters footsteps and was voted homecoming royalty. She was elected lieutenant governor in the 2018 election, to serve with the governor, Brad Little. Karen McGee is a former Idaho State Board of Education executive director and president. July fundraising reports will trickle in over the next few days, as candidates report their monthly activity. Grace Panetta and Nicole Gaudiano May 17, 2022, 8:00 PM - Idaho Lt. Gov. In the second, in October, she prohibited public schools and the states Department of Education from requiring COVID-19 testing or vaccinations. [58] McGeachin also opposes vaccine mandates. Her husband is Jim McGeachin Janice McGeachin Net Worth Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Idaho Education News Data Analyst Randy Schrader contributed to this report. She committed, however, to accepting the results of the states May primary, believing voting irregularities in Idaho where Trump won big were not large scale. Janice McGeachin in her bid for governor, held May 4 at Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park in Meridian. She is the first female lieutenant governor of Idaho. 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. This group is described by Steve Taggart in his most recent Idaho Politics Weekly post as "wacky and extremist at best." His pick for governor in Nebraska, alleged sexual abuser Charles Herbster, failed to make it through the primary last week. 2023 Idaho Ed News. Idahoans have a critically important choice to make a choice that will determine the course of our state for years to come. McGeachin also garnered criticism after federal records revealed that she applied for and received more than $314,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, even though she previously said she is opposed to government programs that foster dependency. In a social media post, she defended accepting the coronavirus relief payments for her familys businesses, saying that their employees needed the funds because they had been harmed by government shutdowns and other public health requirements. 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. We can never give up. [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. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. Delivering the phone back to McGeachins daughter, he has some advice. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. This is our country, and were going to take it back! Rogers shouted to the crowd. 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. Amid a deluge of partisan cheerleading, anti-LGBTQ speech and Trump worship from invited speakers, Idahos lieutenant governor took hold of the mic. ), 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. Id say shes more withdrawn today, Winder, who supports Little, told the Statesman. He left the school in 2010 and has worked as a teacher and school administrator since, according to his LinkedIn page. She met her husband, Jimmy McGeachin, while she was in high school and he attended college at the University of Idaho, she said. [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. Occupying a largely ceremonial role, the lieutenant governor acts as president of the Senate. Shes a former teacher who staked her campaign, in part, on her objections to Common Core, EastIdahoNews.com reported. [85] She announced on February 24, 2012, that she would not be seeking re-election. 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. Janice McGeachin does not do that.. 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. 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. Michael Nelson said hes a former police officer who worked a 25-year career in the San Francisco area. [81], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary. As a result of many of her more controversial decisions, McGeachin has become a third rail of Idaho politics. He's a lifelong Idahoan, and holds degrees in Creative Writing and Political Economy from the College of Idaho. 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. Suddenly, the bartender is zipping through the aisle asking those seated if they would like a shot. Hamilton, also McGeachins part-time director of communications this past legislative session, said the pendant epitomized her feelings toward the lieutenant governor, and is also a message she hoped her friend would keep close to her heart out on the campaign trail. 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. 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. "[69], In the May 17, 2022 Republican primary election, McGeachin lost to Little. Hamilton, however, prefers to keep the focus of McGeachins candidacy on her credentials. She unsuccessfully challenged Little in the Republican primary for governor in the 2022 election. Janice McGeachin stands with her husband Jim in front of the Idaho Capitol building prior to taking the podium to announce her run for governor on May 19. Lt. 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. Trump calls her just about every other week to inquire about the campaign, she said. [22] For the caption, she wrote "Sending love to Todd Engel from the Idaho Capital and 'getting to know' the new Senate Pages. McGeachin cited Littles handling of the COVID-19 pandemic for prompting her to run now. Governor Janice McGeachin posed with and then posted on Facebook pictures she had taken with two members of The Three Percenters. Fundraising allowed some successful statewide candidates to dominate the airwaves. [14] McGeachin frequently criticized Little's strategy regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. [8] As a Republican, she was a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 2002 to 2012. 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.