In October of 2021, he died of COVID-19. And this is a manifestation of it in our face. Conservative Republican & Principled America First Warrior who always stands up for individual rights 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. In 2012, she and her family . 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. 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. McGeachin thanked those in attendance at the America First Political Action Conference held in Orlando, Florida, for joining our efforts. U.S. Rep. Greene also spoke at the event. About halfway through, he reminded attendees about various forms of sin in the eyes of God. Shes a former teacher who staked her campaign, in part, on her objections to Common Core, EastIdahoNews.com reported. 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. [72] She concluded her term as lieutenant governor on January 2, 2023. 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. "[59], McGeachin was an Idaho presidential elector for the Republican slate in 2020, casting one of Idaho's four electoral votes for Donald Trump; the other Idaho electors that year were Melinda Smyser, Raul Labrador, and Rod Beck. Education indoctrination task force members: updated list and bios [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. EastIdahoNews.com, LLC. Little Says He Hasn't Spoken To Lt. Gov McGeachin In Weeks, Cases of coronavirus in Idaho spike after businesses reopen, Lt. Gov. And thats whats not fair., Lt. Gov. Sami Edge/Idaho Education News (UPDATED: Oct. 19, reflecting the death of Pete Coulson from COVID-19.) Former Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney, a Republican, recently launched a political action committee with the support of a dozen retired members of Idaho law enforcement to advocate against McGeachin for governor. Idaho Education News Data Analyst Randy Schrader contributed to this report. calls that 'shameful', Idaho governor repeals political rival's executive order. We still talk, but havent for a while.. [1], McGeachin has had a number of business ventures. McGeachin has the endorsement, which is something she has really highlighted in her campaign materials. Little and McGeachin have become famously locked in disharmony. McGeachin urges Gov. Janice McGeachin announces run for governor Brian Myrick/Idaho Press May 19, 2021 1 of 12 As featured on 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. 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. [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. Janice McGeachin's association with extreme, anti-law enforcement factions has prompted them to oppose her run for governor. Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin received over $300k in federal COVID 'Never back down': How Janice McGeachin rose from anonymity to Trump's 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. Janice McGeachin (@JaniceMcGeachin) November 8, 2016 McGeachin, 57, was a delegate for Donald Trump during the 2016 Republican National Convention, and vice-chair of Idaho's statewide. 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. She unsuccessfully challenged Little in the Republican primary for governor in the 2022 election. Janet Adams is a retired Coeur dAlene lawyer. 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. The McGeachins are known for frequenting their pub. A month later, she administered an oath to members of the Real Three Percent of Idaho, including Eric Parker, the groups leader, who said she once told him if she were elected, he would have a friend in the governors office. Parker endorsed McGeachin for governor last year. FILE . 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. 2023 Idaho Ed News. She argued, however, that her actions did not violate the governors restrictions, because her pub also includes a restaurant. I was hoping that he would see the virtue of keeping it in place, she said. [58] McGeachin also opposes vaccine mandates. Janice McGeachin takes a question from an attendee during a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. 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. We are in a Marxist takeover, a communist takeover (in) this country. [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. Here's what was inside the McGeachin education task force files in finance and accounting from the University of Arizona. I just wish she was better in presenting herself, said Dr. John Lee, a retired veterinarian who lives in Nampa, while attending the winery fundraiser with family. 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. 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,. 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. Janice McGeachin Thursday unveiled the membership list of her new "Task Force to Examine . I stood with them then, and I stand with them today., Lt. Gov. Who is Janice McGeachin Husband? Briefly serving as acting governor, Janice McGeachin issues order A boat repair lot sits across the street. He can be reached by email at [emailprotected]. 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. 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. Laura van Voorhees recently moved to Kootenai County from California. After Little backed out of a scheduled debate, McGeachin organized the event for the same night with a slate of fellow far-right candidates. Karen McGee is a former Idaho State Board of Education executive director and president. "[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. But shes a hard worker for what we stand for maintaining our republic. "[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. 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. Their son followed three years later. She is the first female lieutenant governor of Idaho. She also has sparked controversy over her repeated interactions with fringe, extremist and racist figures. [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. 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. 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. The Republican gubernatorial race also stands to have national implications, given Trumps involvement, as well as the likelihood that its victor will steer the direction of the state for at least the next four years after Novembers general election. 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. The soup of the day is beef taco, and the $5 drink special is a melon berry ros sangria. 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. 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. "[32] The president-elect of the Idaho School Boards Association resigned from McGeachin's task force a week after its first meeting, writing that the task force seemed aimed at "partisan campaigning. Henry, who founded a conservative activist group that she calls Parents for Freedom and Liberty, has since gone all-in on McGeachins run for governor. Educated at the University of Arizona, McGeachin owned several businesses in Idaho Falls. 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. During her segment, she listed Americans inalienable rights while seated in the drivers seat of a truck brandishing a Bible, and then a handgun. Also in 2020, McGeachin appeared in a video montage, along with other Idaho elected officials, posted to YouTube by the Idaho Freedom Foundation. It is estimated that her net worth is somewhere between $1 million and $3 million. Janice McGeachin does not do that.. Assorted $1 bills folded into origami shapes, including hearts and bow ties, decorate the side of a Jameson Irish Whiskey mirror above the bar. After buying and restoring the historic building, the McGeachins are celebrating the pubs 10-year anniversary in 2022. 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. | Kevin Fixler kfixler@idahostatesman.com. Her candidacy was supported by state Senator Dean Mortimer. [14] McGeachin frequently criticized Little's strategy regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Janice McGeachin, 57, received $314,727 through two different PPP loans for J.R. McGeachin Inc in April . Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. (We) broke the glass ceiling, and were going to break another glass ceiling., Lt. Gov. 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. Janice McGeachin and the scandal that wasn't - Idaho Freedom Brad Little Defeats Janice McGeachin for Idaho Governor: Live Results Follow Blake on Twitter @jonesblakej. [36] The legislature declined McGeachin's request to have the costs of the settlement paid by the state budget. 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. [31] The Idaho Statesman editorial board described the effort as "a manufactured witch hunt" driven by the "far-right fringe of Idaho's politics. 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. 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. 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. 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 two got more serious when she moved back to their hometown. Idaho Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, said McGeachins relationship with Republican leadership has soured during her time as lieutenant governor. We need Janice McGeachin. Janice McGeachin embraces Rep. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, before giving her remarks on Wednesday (Kelcie Moseley-Morris/Idaho Capital Sun). Its in our homes, she said. But I think that this is the time that if we dont make the changes that need to happen, Idahos gone for our kids. [27][28][29] McGeachin was apparently one of the highest-ranking elected officials to address the far-right conference. 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. [1] She graduated from Skyline High School in Idaho Falls and earned her B.S. A group of retired Idaho county sheriffs and police say Lt. Gov. 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. "[43] By July 2020, after the state's economy had reopened, Idaho saw a spike in coronavirus cases. 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. McGeachin was born Janice Kyes on January 18, 1963, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. But a group of retired police officers and. 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. [86][6], Indoctrination task force and public records violations, COVID-19 pandemic and strained relationship with Governor Brad Little, Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 19:27, 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries, 2012 Republican Party presidential primaries, America First Political Action Conference, misinformation to disparage COVID-19 vaccines, nation's lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates, Texas' attempt to overturn the results of the presidential election, "Republican hopes to ride far-right rage into Idaho's governor's office", "Far-right challengers look to upset the status quo in the Idaho governor's primary", "In Idaho governor's race, a far-right candidate leans into extremism", "Representative Janice K. McGeachin's Biography", 5 things to know about Idaho's 1st female lieutenant governor, McGeachin says business experience will help her in lieutenant governor role, Bonneville County Primary Election, May 23, 2000, Lt. Gov. A political philosophy professor and a former Idaho State Board of Education president also sit on the 14-member assembly. She met her husband, Jimmy McGeachin, while she was in high school and he attended college at the University of Idaho, she said. [58][52], In October 2021, while Little was out of state touring the Southern border, McGeachin, claiming power as acting governor in Little's absence, issued an executive order banning state officials from requiring proof of vaccination from employees and sought to ban employers from requiring vaccinations altogether. McGeachin said she doesnt concern herself with unflattering characterizations, or any of the other things people say about her. I stood with them when Mr. Little sent his law enforcement into their business and threatened to take their license away, she told a crowd at a rally last week in Meridian. [48], In July 2020, McGeachin condemned federal economic relief granted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sometimes, a contrarian candidate wins in a closed Republican primary. [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. Governor to serve the state of Idaho. Shes not the Janice that people grew up with, Thompson, who is running to rejoin the state House, told the Statesman in an interview. 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 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. Janice McGeachin greets Randy and Colleen Crawford, of Caldwell, at a meet-and-greet campaign fundraiser at a Caldwell-area winery in April. McGeachins push to become Idahos lead executive is her second campaign for statewide office after a narrow margin of victory in 2018s Republican primary for lieutenant governor. McGeachins family businesses, particularly the pub, have become targets for harassment, she said, on account of her political ideology. Governor Janice McGeachin posed with and then posted on Facebook pictures she had taken with two members of The Three Percenters. He replaced Knopp, following his withdrawal from the task force. The couple has two children. 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. 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. Under her vision for the state, McGeachin said, businesses and churches will never be forcibly closed, as happened during the stay-at-home order out of concern for public health. 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. The Republican lieutenant governors candidate backed out after debate organizers would not give her an advance list of reporters on the panel. 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. Who Is Janice McGeachin's Husband? 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. The contest includes eight candidates, with the top three fundraisers so far being Little, the one-term incumbent and rancher from Emmett; McGeachin, owner of several businesses in Idaho Falls; and newcomer Ed Humphreys, a financial adviser who lives in Eagle. 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. Amid a deluge of partisan cheerleading, anti-LGBTQ speech and Trump worship from invited speakers, Idahos lieutenant governor took hold of the mic. [6][7], McGeachin unsuccessfully ran for Bonneville County commissioner in 2000, her first bid for elected office. PHOTOS: Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin announces run for governor Just put your head down and keep going. Its a daily process, she said. 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. All three politicos now carry the highly sought-after endorsement of Americas polarizing 45th president. His pick for governor in Nebraska, alleged sexual abuser Charles Herbster, failed to make it through the primary last week. 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. [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. 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. Ive been pregnant twice. 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. [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. [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. 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. Its not enough to just silently nod along, McGeachin told rallygoers. McGeachins tenure in the Legislature included serving as chair of the House Health and Welfare Committee. The makeup of Lt. Gov. 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. Machele Hamilton, the state GOP vice chair and a close friend to McGeachin, said that approach is one of the qualities she admires most about the lieutenant governor. 2015 - 2023 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. The departure had nothing to do with his participation on the task force, Moffett told the Idaho State Journal. McGeachins office previously said he has worked in school administration and social work. Idaho Lt. Gov. 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. Ex-Idaho Cops, Sheriffs Oppose McGeachin's Run for Governor Theres no future for them, and I mean that wholeheartedly., Lt. Gov.