McGeachin was born Janice Kyes on January 18, 1963, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. [77], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[78] and for the general election. 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. Shortly after taking office, she posted and hastily deleted a photo to Facebook posing in front of her Capitol office with two men flashing the movements hand gesture. She protested at rallies, in direct violation of the orders, before showing up to the reopening of a brewpub in North Idaho that defied the governors requirements. The federal government has gotten to be so big and is interfering so much in all of our lives as states. A representative from the Idaho School Boards Association, ISBA President-elect Jason Knopp, withdrew from the task force after its first meeting, objecting to its lack of education professionals. After the task force completed its summer meetings, Knopps replacement died of COVID-19. [82] She won the general election with 73% of the vote against Scott Cannon. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. Janice McGeachin, the renegade lieutenant governor of Idaho who is running for governor, likes to portray herself as a law-and-order candidate. So, how much is Janice McGeachin worth at the age of 59 years old? 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. [59][73] She appeared at a rally for the Three Percenters, an anti-government militia movement group. 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. She met her husband, Jimmy McGeachin, while she was in high school and he attended college at the University of Idaho, she said. Idaho Statesman reporters Ian Max Stevenson and Ryan Suppe contributed. Janice McGeachin greets Randy and Colleen Crawford, of Caldwell, at a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. In the second, in October, she prohibited public schools and the states Department of Education from requiring COVID-19 testing or vaccinations. Pete Coulson worked as a coach and counselor for children. Janice McGeachin speaks during a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. A political philosophy professor and a former Idaho State Board of Education president also sit on the 14-member assembly. 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. Hamilton, however, prefers to keep the focus of McGeachins candidacy on her credentials. 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, as Senate president, presides over a session in March. 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. 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. Janice McGeachin takes a question from an attendee during a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. 2023 Idaho Ed News. Shes a former teacher who staked her campaign, in part, on her objections to Common Core, EastIdahoNews.com reported. One more for prosperity.. 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,. Other priorities under a McGeachin administration, she said, include seeking the end of the states tax on groceries, opening public lands for mining of rare earth minerals and managing the states growth. 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. 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. He recently served as principal of Marsh Valley Middle School in East Idaho, but split from the school after one school year after signing a separation agreement May 13, a week before his membership on the task force was announced, EdNews reported. And Idaho will reduce its financial dependency on the federal government, she said, building to a crescendo. Rev. 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. She courts people who use intimidation and violence to terrorize other people, said Raney, who retired after a decade as sheriff in 2015. Lt. Gov. All three politicos now carry the highly sought-after endorsement of Americas polarizing 45th president. Idaho is one of 20 U.S. states that has never had a female governor. 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. 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. On Palm Sunday, the week before Easter, several hundred people arrived at the Cowboy Church well more than the sign on the wall listing a maximum occupancy of 100. 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 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. McGeachin has the endorsement, which is something she has really highlighted in her campaign materials. Janice McGeachin, 57, received $314,727 through two different PPP loans for J.R. McGeachin Inc in April . Wearing a black Stetson, Brown looked out onto the congregation filled with people of all ages and launched into a 40-minute lesson from the Book of Revelation about where to put ones faith, and how to prepare for judgment. She also inquired with the Idaho National Guard about ordering troops to the U.S.-Mexico border that Little was visiting. [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. 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. Idahos first woman to fill the lieutenant governors office has fostered a national profile for her unconventional and outspoken approach to the job, drawing comparisons to right-wing firebrands such as U.S. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, and Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado. McGeachin speech played at conference organized by white nationalist, McGeachin delivers taped speech to white nationalist meeting, McGeachins education task force discusses calls to disband State Board of Education, 'A Very McCarthyism Feel': Idaho Teachers Say Indoctrination Task Force Stokes Fear, Idaho's far-right 'indoctrination' witch hunt comes up short in Boise State investigation, ISBA rep leaves indoctrination task force, decrying 'partisan campaigning', Idaho Lt. Gov. First, in May, she banned mask mandates by state and local authorities while Little was attending a Republican Governors Association conference in Tennessee. [63], In December 2020, the month after Donald Trump lost the presidential election to Joe Biden, McGeachin, along with Little, Idaho's two Republican U.S. House members, and other Idaho Republican election officials, signed on to an amicus brief supporting Texas' attempt to overturn the results of the presidential election by rejecting millions of votes in four key states won by Biden. 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. She was elected lieutenant governor in the 2018 election, to serve with the governor, Brad Little. Previously unidentified, five other task force members introduced themselves at the task forces inaugural meeting. McGeachins May 17 GOP primary is one of Idahos most-watched races, largely because it has determined the governor for the past seven elections in the heavily conservative state. 3-2-1, he says, tapping the phones touch-screen shutter. We will expand our Second Amendment liberties and secure our state. 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. Today, hers is a household name throughout Idaho, even if many people are still unsure how to say it. [5] Those arent the types of invites she gets from her old colleagues anymore. "[69], In the May 17, 2022 Republican primary election, McGeachin lost to Little. [55] A surge in COVID-19 cases first strained, and then surpassed, the capacity of the state's health care system. [58] McGeachin also opposes vaccine mandates. 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. A federal district court later shot down the practice in 2011, the Associated Press reported. 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. Janice McGeachin attends a rally to support semi-truckers and protest against COVID-19 vaccination mandates for employment held in Boise in March. Because of some of the media attacks Ive had recently, I asked him for some advice, McGeachin recalled. 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. Janice McGeachin's income source is mostly from being a successful Politician. Janice is a former State Representative and a successful business owner from Idaho Falls who, along with her husband Jim McGeachin, own and operate multiple businesses in the automotive industry, with stores in Idaho Falls and Boise. 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. Trump calls her just about every other week to inquire about the campaign, she said. Reporter Blake Jones covers the politics and policy of Idaho's K-12 public school system. 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. "[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. [13], McGeachin was a delegate for Donald Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention, and was vice-chair of Trump's Idaho campaign committee. It remains the only election McGeachin has lost. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. "Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a religion of . Karen McGee is a former Idaho State Board of Education executive director and president. Late last week, Idaho Lt. Lt. Gov. Hes a career firefighter who has also represented his school district in the Idaho School Boards Association. 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. PHOTOS: Lt. Gov. She committed to tightening voting requirements, protecting individual liberties, eliminating leftist ideology she claimed is being taught in public schools, and ending the barbaric practice of murdering pre-born babies unconditionally, she said. Beck is second only to businessman Frank VanderSloot, who, as owner of Melaleuca Inc., a personal health company also based in Idaho Falls, is ranked on the list of the worlds 400 wealthiest people by Forbes. 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. (UPDATED: Oct. 19, reflecting the death of Pete Coulson from COVID-19.). [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. 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. McGeachin not only listened to her and other parents, Henry said, but also their children. [38] On his return to Idaho one day later, Little rescinded McGeachin's order and said that her decision "to act solitarily on a highly politicized, polarizing issue without conferring with local jurisdictions, legislators, and the sitting Governor" was "simply put, an abuse of power. She met her husband, Jimmy McGeachin, while she was in high school and he attended college at the University of Idaho, 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. 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. The residents came together and pulled through, McGeachin said. Shes marvelous. She found herself embroiled in controversy when she posted - and deleted - a photo on her Facebook page that appears to show her. Its just about all women supporting each other, McGeachin said. Politics isnt always viewed as a place for girls. [83], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[84] and the general election. One carried the Betsy Ross American flag, with 13 stars in a circle, which today is used as a symbol for several hate and anti-government movements, the Southern Poverty Law Center reports. The rotation of bartenders appears to be playing to their VIPs, frequently stopping to check in on the McGeachins and their daughter. I know she liked to have a good time, said Sen. Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls, who served three terms with McGeachin in the House and used to rent a place on the same floor of a building three blocks from the Capitol. Ive made my statements about who I am and what I believe in, McGeachin told the Idaho Statesman in a sit-down interview. 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, take questions during a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. McGeachins family businesses, particularly the pub, have become targets for harassment, she said, on account of her political ideology. 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 violence and intimidation tactics came after the family decided last year that their daughter would go without a mask at her school in the Nampa School District during the middle of the pandemic. Janice McGeachin Thursday unveiled the membership list of her new "Task Force to Examine . Idaho Lt. Gov. A cadre of Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group with links to white supremacy, also stalked the grounds. But, at that time, McGeachin also wasnt known for bucking the rules and norms of government, as shes more closely associated with today. [85] She announced on February 24, 2012, that she would not be seeking re-election. 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. "[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. 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. Conservative Republican & Principled America First Warrior who always stands up for individual rights Branden Durst hopes to win the May 17 GOP state superintendents primary by running against all things Sherri Ybarra and Debbie Critchfield. She argued, however, that her actions did not violate the governors restrictions, because her pub also includes a restaurant. Members continue to include an Idaho Freedom Foundation employee and a charter school leader who pushed to use the Bible in public schools. President, how do you deal with some of this stuff when you were kind of under fire? He said: Never back down. . [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. (We) broke the glass ceiling, and were going to break another glass ceiling., Lt. Gov. The Republican lieutenant governors candidate backed out after debate organizers would not give her an advance list of reporters on the panel. But I think its important that we stand strong.. But in some legislative races, outside political groups might have played a bigger and more far-reaching role. After that, she ran unopposed five times in the Republican primary for a state House seat representing Idaho Falls, from 2002 to 2012. Sex with animals.. The unorthodox move was a big part of why she became a passionate McGeachin supporter, and now helps organize some of her campaign events. 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. Excuse me, I really like what youre doing here, he says, to which she thanks him, and chats for a moment. ), 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. A customer at the end of the bar, from Montana, wants to buy everyone a duck fart.. 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.. 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. Following a stint in Arizona, the family moved to Idaho Falls when she was a child after her father took a job at the Idaho National Laboratory, the nuclear energy research hub run by the federal government. It worked, despite Littles own past support for 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.

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