Fundraising allowed some successful statewide candidates to dominate the airwaves. Janice McGeachin speaks during a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. He has scored some big wins,. But I think that this is the time that if we dont make the changes that need to happen, Idahos gone for our kids. Her candidacy was supported by state Senator Dean Mortimer. 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. Ryan Spoon, who said hes a West Point graduate and father, expressed worry about critical race theory being taught at U.S. military academies. McGeachin said she doesnt concern herself with unflattering characterizations, or any of the other things people say about her. About . [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. 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. In one recent check-in, McGeachin said, she sought his guidance. Michael Nelson said hes a former police officer who worked a 25-year career in the San Francisco area. McGeachin announces indoctrination task force members A boat repair lot sits across the street. 3-2-1, he says, tapping the phones touch-screen shutter. 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. Another source of inspiration for McGeachin can frequently be found hanging around her neck. [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. She met her husband, Jimmy McGeachin, while she was in high school and he attended college at the University of Idaho, 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. We are in a Marxist takeover, a communist takeover (in) this country. "[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. 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. 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 McGeachins Task Force to Examine Indoctrination in Idaho Education has changed shape slightly since its membership was announced in May as more details have emerged about its members. Janice McGeachin announces run for governor Brian Myrick/Idaho Press May 19, 2021 1 of 12 As featured on Lt. Gov. [14][15][16][17], In April 2017, McGeachin filed to run for lieutenant governor of Idaho. Ive said many times, Id jump in front of a bus for her, she told the audience at the winery fundraiser. 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. "Critical Race Theory (CRT) is a religion of . 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. 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. [5] She is the first female lieutenant governor of Idaho. 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. 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. In October of 2021, he died of COVID-19. [35][36] McGeachin submitted a supplemental budget request, seeking for that sum to be paid by taxpayer funds. 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. Lt. Gov. She also inquired with the Idaho National Guard about ordering troops to the U.S.-Mexico border that Little was visiting. 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][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. Lt. Gov. But I think its important that we stand strong.. EastIdahoNews.com, LLC. In the second, in October, she prohibited public schools and the states Department of Education from requiring COVID-19 testing or vaccinations. "[34] A civil suit brought against McGeachin by the Idaho Press Club was settled in November 2021, with a court ordered McGeachin to pay the club almost $29,000 in fees and costs. [20] During the 2018 campaign, McGeachin took security guards with her to a debate at the Idaho Public Television station in Boise, although there was no known threat against her, and characterized them as "friends. Delivering the phone back to McGeachins daughter, he has some advice. 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. The two positions run for election separately, rather than as a unified ticket. Lt. Gov. [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. 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. 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. Suddenly, the bartender is zipping through the aisle asking those seated if they would like a shot. [41], In May 2020, Little said he had not spoken to McGeachin in weeks. A member of the Republican Party, she was previously a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 2002 until 2012.[5]. Beck is not sure how McGeachin made the connection to Trump, he said, but she did it all on her own. Janice McGeachin, 57, received $314,727 through two different PPP loans for J.R. McGeachin Inc in April . I believe shes the best person for the job, and the fact that she is a woman is a bonus.. A federal district court later shot down the practice in 2011, the Associated Press reported. McGeachin has the endorsement, which is something she has really highlighted in her campaign materials. 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. [73], McGeachin and Republican Representative Larry C. Bradford were re-districted to 31A. [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. 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). [64][65] Legal experts dismissed the suit as meritless,[65] and it was rejected by the Supreme Court. McGeachin claims foul play on Little for leaving the state [59][73] She appeared at a rally for the Three Percenters, an anti-government militia movement group. Janice McGeachin launches bid for governor, challenging. The departure had nothing to do with his participation on the task force, Moffett told the Idaho State Journal. Educated at the University of Arizona, McGeachin owned several businesses in Idaho Falls. Janice McGeachin Biography, Age, Height, Husband, Net Worth, Family My disagreements with his decisions of shutting businesses down and managing the pandemic grew, McGeachin said. McGeachin herself donned a mask at times around the Capitol during a statewide peak of COVID-19 from the delta variant, telling the Statesman she did so out of respect for others who were there. Id say shes more withdrawn today, Winder, who supports Little, told the Statesman. Janice McGeachin: 5 things about Idaho's 1st female lt. gov. | Idaho