[22] For the caption, she wrote "Sending love to Todd Engel from the Idaho Capital and 'getting to know' the new Senate Pages. 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. Beck said hes never spoken to Trump about McGeachin the three or four times theyve met, and thought his prior campaign donations to the former president played no role in McGeachin earning Trumps endorsement. McGeachin said she doesnt concern herself with unflattering characterizations, or any of the other things people say about her. "[52], McGeachin has used her office to promote misinformation to disparage COVID-19 vaccines. 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. 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. 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.. After that, she ran unopposed five times in the Republican primary for a state House seat representing Idaho Falls, from 2002 to 2012. 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. We must actively support those with the courage to resist tyranny. 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. Its in our homes, she said. 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. Brian Myrick / Idaho Press. So, how much is Janice McGeachin worth at the age of 59 years old? It now acts as the nerve center for Republican Janice McGeachins upstart political ambitions for governor. It didn't last, Republican infighting in Idaho over the coronavirus has reached a new low, Low Turnout For COVID-19 Skeptic Rally Headlined By Idaho Lieutenant Governor, 'Loss of hope': Idaho hospitals crushed by COVID-19 surge, Gov. McGeachin said she was an early adopter of Trump leading the Republican Party. Conservative Republican & Principled America First Warrior who always stands up for individual rights "[49], In May 2021, after Little left the state to attend a Republican Governors' Association conference in Nashville, Tennessee, making McGeachin acting governor in his absence, she issued an executive order that barred the state and Idaho counties, cities, public school districts, and public universities from adopting mask mandates. However, McGeachin's Idaho Falls-based business accepted two partially forgivable loans, totaling $314,727, from the federal Paycheck Protection Program. 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. Janice McGeachin said Wednesday she was running for governor of Idaho . | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. About . [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. 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. [6], McGeachin supported Mitt Romney in the 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries[12] and the 2012 Republican Party presidential primaries. 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. Ive been pregnant twice. But I think its important that we stand strong.. In recent months, she has testified in favor of policies targeting critical race theory and social justice in the classroom, at one point saying a controversial bill dealing with critical race theory did not go far enough to oust the content from public schools. She also inquired with the Idaho National Guard about ordering troops to the U.S.-Mexico border that Little was visiting. Its just about all women supporting each other, McGeachin said. Occupying a largely ceremonial role, the lieutenant governor acts as president of the Senate. It makes me feel good that both Jimmy and I have created a life for them that they want to be close to their parents, McGeachin said. McGeachin urges Gov. The Janice McGeachin for governor campaign displays signs and pamphlets that prominently show former President Donald Trumps endorsement. [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. She is the first female lieutenant governor of Idaho. (VanderSloot and his wife, Belinda, each donated campaign maximums of $5,000 to Little. Because of some of the media attacks Ive had recently, I asked him for some advice, McGeachin recalled. | Sami Edge, Idaho Education News. Janice McGeachin Thursday unveiled the membership list of her new "Task Force to Examine . [73], McGeachin and Republican Representative Larry C. Bradford were re-districted to 31A. Governor to serve the state of Idaho. 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. I believe shes the best person for the job, and the fact that she is a woman is a bonus.. [8] As a Republican, she was a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 2002 to 2012. He has scored some big wins,. To Montana the shot buyer offers to his group of new best friends. Just put your head down and keep going. The family who drinks together stays together, right? the bartender says. Jason Knopp is the vice chairman of the Melba School Districts board. Janice McGeachin, as Senate president, presides over a session in March. She entered politics in 2002 when elected to a seat in the state house. BOISE (Idaho Statesman) Idaho Lt. Gov. Ryan Spoon, who said hes a West Point graduate and father, expressed worry about critical race theory being taught at U.S. military academies. 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. She also was a member of the Teddy Bears, the schools choreographed drill team, and involved in student council her sophomore year. [29], In 2021, McGeachin convened an "education indoctrination task force" co-chaired by fellow Republican Priscilla Giddings. Thats where the battle is going to be, and thats why Im running for governor.. [81], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary. But a group of retired police officers and. [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. It worked, despite Littles own past support for Trump. 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. 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. 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. It defines homosexuality as a form of sexual immorality, grouping it with adultery, incest and bestiality. 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. 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. [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. 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 . [36] The legislature declined McGeachin's request to have the costs of the settlement paid by the state budget. [40][46] In October 2020, McGeachin appeared in a video by the right-wing Idaho Freedom Foundation in which she wielded a gun and Bible, railed against COVID-19 public-health measures, and questioned whether "a pandemic may or may not be occurring. 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. Will that be a really impactful endorsement, or not really a defining kind of factor in determining outcomes? 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, 2021. When I am struggling, I know where I need to go to get strength, wisdom, encouragement. 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. Sex with animals.. Brian Myrick / Idaho Press. Janice McGeachin's income source is mostly from being a successful Politician. Hes a career firefighter who has also represented his school district in the Idaho School Boards Association. [14][15][16][17], In April 2017, McGeachin filed to run for lieutenant governor of Idaho. Janice McGeachin does not do that.. I sure hope she becomes our next governor.. 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. Her participation in that event - which also featured . [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. [29] McGeachin's speech to the conference was criticized by Democrats and some Republicans for its antisemitic and pro-Putin contents. 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. Lt. Gov. Former state Rep. Jeff Thompson, an Idaho Falls Republican who served two terms in the House with McGeachin, drew a parallel between his old friends political shift and Trumps unexpected ascension in the Republican Party in 2016, all the way to the Oval Office. She went on to defeat Democratic candidate Kristin Collum in the general election with nearly 60% of votes. 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. In 2012, she and her family . Who is Janice McGeachin Husband? 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. The soup of the day is beef taco, and the $5 drink special is a melon berry ros sangria. 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. Idaho Lt. 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. McGeachin was born Janice Kyes on January 18, 1963, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. 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. Little Says He Hasn't Spoken To Lt. Gov McGeachin In Weeks, Cases of coronavirus in Idaho spike after businesses reopen, Lt. Gov. A customer at the end of the bar, from Montana, wants to buy everyone a duck fart.. 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 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,. President, how do you deal with some of this stuff when you were kind of under fire? He said: Never back down. . He's a lifelong Idahoan, and holds degrees in Creative Writing and Political Economy from the College of Idaho. She is from NM. A political philosophy professor and a former Idaho State Board of Education president also sit on the 14-member assembly. Janice McGeachin presented her 10-point gubernatorial platform for her first 100 days in office during a press conference on the Idaho Capitol steps in March. 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. [85] She announced on February 24, 2012, that she would not be seeking re-election. 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. Where men are men, and sheep are scared! Jimmy McGeachin belts back, a joke about bestiality. Each rode the Make America Great Again wave under former President Donald Trump that propelled a number of far-right candidates into office. She found herself embroiled in controversy when she posted - and deleted - a photo on her Facebook page that appears to show her. 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. In October of 2021, he died of COVID-19. 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. McGeachin has been married to Jim McGeachin for quite some time. Proms and school sports seasons will never again be canceled, she promised. 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. McGeachin on Fauci: I'll "lock him up", "Idaho Gov. Their son followed three years later. She said she does not dispute that masks are effective in preventing the spread of the virus, particularly N95s and hospital surgical masks. 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. Janice McGeachin's association with extreme, anti-law enforcement factions has prompted them to oppose her run for governor. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. McGeachins office previously said he has worked in school administration and social work. McGeachin told the Statesman she didnt issue the orders thinking the governor would automatically reverse her statewide decrees. 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. Assorted $1 bills folded into origami shapes, including hearts and bow ties, decorate the side of a Jameson Irish Whiskey mirror above the bar. Those who will speak about McGeachins early days in office describe her as friendly, a social butterfly who would host small parties in a rental condo during the legislative session, and go for drinks after work. The Republican lieutenant governors candidate backed out after debate organizers would not give her an advance list of reporters on the panel. 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 Janice McGeachin in her bid for governor, held May 4 at Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park in Meridian. 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. Reporter Blake Jones covers the politics and policy of Idaho's K-12 public school system. A group of retired Idaho county sheriffs and police say Lt. Gov. [53][54] By fall 2021, Idaho had among the nation's lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates. 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. We need you, youre a fighter, she said, spurring McGeachin to dash on stage to embrace her booster. 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. [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. Excuse me, I really like what youre doing here, he says, to which she thanks him, and chats for a moment. Pete Coulson worked as a coach and counselor for children. Members of her initiative claimed, without substantiation, that Idaho schoolchildren were being indoctrinated. After four meetings, the task force delivered a set of vague recommendations. We are in a Marxist takeover, a communist takeover (in) this country. EastIdahoNews.com, LLC. Grace Panetta and Nicole Gaudiano May 17, 2022, 8:00 PM - Idaho 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. [59][73] She appeared at a rally for the Three Percenters, an anti-government militia movement group. It is estimated that her net worth is somewhere between $1 million and $3 million. 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. A member of the Republican Party, she was previously a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 2002 until 2012.[5]. 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. 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. The departure had nothing to do with his participation on the task force, Moffett told the Idaho State Journal. 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. [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. McGeachin remembers the city back then as a great place to grow up a small and supportive community. Sonya Harris is a politically active Blackfoot school board trustee. Elaine King previously ran for the Idaho House of Representatives in District 34, which covers the Rexburg area, in 2018, but lost in the Republican primary. Late last week, Idaho Lt. Its not enough to just silently nod along, McGeachin told rallygoers. When they passed gay marriage, they opened Pandoras box. He can be reached by email at [emailprotected]. [77], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[78] and for the general election. Her candidacy was supported by state Senator Dean Mortimer. He founded the congregation, according to its website, after he went on a solo, three-day horseback ride through five Idaho counties to connect with God and receive his guidance. 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. A spokesperson for Little said staff has no record or recollection of Henry contacting the governors office. "[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. As I have traveled across our beautiful state, I have listened to our people, McGeachin said in a speech from the Capitol steps in March. His actions were stepping over into a different branch of governments purview, and thats pretty serious to me.. [71] Of Idaho's 44 counties, McGeachin carried just four, all in the Idaho Panhandle. [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. What is Janice McGeachin Net Worth? Idaho already would ban abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the precedent-setting case of Roe v. Wade. My disagreements with his decisions of shutting businesses down and managing the pandemic grew, McGeachin said. McGeachin not only listened to her and other parents, Henry said, but also their children. I stood with them then, and I stand with them today., 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. 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. Janice McGeachin, 57, received $314,727 through two different PPP loans for J.R. McGeachin Inc in April . 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. The couple has two children. Littles staff never returned her umpteen-million phone calls, she said. A few challengers ran spendy races and unseated Statehouse incumbents. Suddenly, the bartender is zipping through the aisle asking those seated if they would like a shot. She met her husband, Jimmy McGeachin, while she was in high school and he attended college at the University of Idaho, she said. 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. A member of the Republican Party, she was previously a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 2002 until 2012. | Kevin Fixler kfixler@idahostatesman.com. The federal government has gotten to be so big and is interfering so much in all of our lives as states. Lt. Gov. The makeup of Lt. Gov. [31] The Idaho Statesman editorial board described the effort as "a manufactured witch hunt" driven by the "far-right fringe of Idaho's politics. 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. [83], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[84] and the general election. Lt. Gov. 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. Around town, its known more colloquially as the Cowboy Church. He left the school in 2010 and has worked as a teacher and school administrator since, according to his LinkedIn page. [6] An ally of the Tea Party movement, McGeachin was considered a possible Republican primary challenger to U.S. Representative Mike Simpson in 2010, but chose not to run. (UPDATED: Oct. 19, reflecting the death of Pete Coulson from COVID-19.). Hes my best friend, my strongest supporter, and my partner in life, she said. Governor promotes 'walk-thru disinfectant cubes', Idaho lieutenant governor got pandemic loans for business, Acting as Idaho Governor, Lt. Gov. But in some legislative races, outside political groups might have played a bigger and more far-reaching role. This group is described by Steve Taggart in his most recent Idaho Politics Weekly post as "wacky and extremist at best." 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. After Little backed out of a scheduled debate, McGeachin organized the event for the same night with a slate of fellow far-right candidates. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue. . She also has sparked controversy over her repeated interactions with fringe, extremist and racist figures. Janice McGeachin speaks during a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. 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.