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. | Kevin Fixler kfixler@idahostatesman.com. Beck is not sure how McGeachin made the connection to Trump, he said, but she did it all on her own. McGeachin was born Janice Kyes on January 18, 1963, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. 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. 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. "[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. The soup of the day is beef taco, and the $5 drink special is a melon berry ros sangria. 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. McGeachin and her husband also own and operate an auto parts distribution center, a machine shop and two transmission repair shops. Janice McGeachin was asked why she appeared at an event organized - CNN Lt. Gov. Its not all about I am woman, hear me roar, she said. [55][56] In August 2021, after announcing that she would challenge Little in the Republican primary for re-nomination as governor, McGeachin said that it was "shameful" for Little to ask Idahoans to show love for neighbors by getting vaccinated against COVID-19. [1], McGeachin has had a number of business ventures. [72] She concluded her term as lieutenant governor on January 2, 2023. 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. Rev. The McGeachins two adult children run an Irish pub the family owns in a historic building they restored in downtown Idaho Falls. 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. Educated at the University of Arizona, McGeachin owned several businesses in Idaho Falls. 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. [41][38][50] McGeachin issued the order without consulting Little,[38] and against the wishes of state health officials who had sought a statewide mask mandate,[51] which Idaho has never had. The single-story, cinder block building outside of Boise formerly housed a diesel fuel wholesaler. Lt. Gov. [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. We just like to keep our businesses separate from the politics as much as possible, McGeachin said, picking at her fingernails. Janice McGeachin said Wednesday she was running for governor of Idaho . Idaho Statesman reporters Ian Max Stevenson and Ryan Suppe contributed. McGeachin not only listened to her and other parents, Henry said, but also their children. 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. appears in video slamming virus rules, whether 'a pandemic may or may not be occurring', Idaho Lt. Some lawmakers, including longtime friends, refuse to talk about her, or request to go off the record. Janice McGeachin is the first female Lt. I was hoping that he would see the virtue of keeping it in place, she said. Janice McGeachin spoke virtually at an event organized by White nationalist Nick Fuentes in Florida at the end of February.. After buying and restoring the historic building, the McGeachins are celebrating the pubs 10-year anniversary in 2022. The Republican lieutenant governors candidate backed out after debate organizers would not give her an advance list of reporters on the panel. [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. I stood with them then, and I stand with them today., 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. But I think its important that we stand strong.. Lt. Gov. 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. 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. Crowd of 100 at Idaho Capitol came to support McGeachin for governor Henry said she was also a supporter of the task force McGeachin launched last spring when she thrust herself and the state into the fray of national turmoil over the content taught in public schools. 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. Little Says He Hasn't Spoken To Lt. Gov McGeachin In Weeks, Cases of coronavirus in Idaho spike after businesses reopen, Lt. Gov. [77], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[78] and for the general election. This group is described by Steve Taggart in his most recent Idaho Politics Weekly post as "wacky and extremist at best." 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. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. 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. 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. [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. 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. [8] As a Republican, she was a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 2002 to 2012. She met her husband, Jimmy McGeachin, while she was in high school and he attended college at the University of Idaho, 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. McGeachin named Margaret Thatcher, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom, and former Republican U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage, of Idaho, as two women she admires. [83], McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[84] and the general election. Hes my best friend, my strongest supporter, and my partner in life, she said. A spokesperson for Little said staff has no record or recollection of Henry contacting the governors office. In the past, shes advocated for a sex education opt-in bill and has decried Common Core standards, at one point saying curriculum and textbook providers use Common Core to recommend pornographic books for use in schools, EdNews previously reported. So, how much is Janice McGeachin worth at the age of 59 years old? 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. Idaho deserves law-abiding leaders, not divisive leaders. 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. 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. "[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. In October of 2021, he died of COVID-19. The family spends leisure time skiing, camping and playing golf, although McGeachin calls herself more of a hacker out on the fairways. Ryan Spoon, who said hes a West Point graduate and father, expressed worry about critical race theory being taught at U.S. military academies. [1] She graduated from Skyline High School in Idaho Falls and earned her B.S. McGeachin and Cawthorn fell on Tuesday. It remains the only election McGeachin has lost. The two positions run for election separately, rather than as a unified ticket. 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,. 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. McGeachins office previously said he has worked in school administration and social work. Because of some of the media attacks Ive had recently, I asked him for some advice, McGeachin recalled. Malkin has promoted anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant rhetoric. McGeachin said she leans on her Presbyterian faith and her trust in God when she encounters obstacles. Sonya Harris is a politically active Blackfoot school board trustee. 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. The makeup of Lt. Gov. 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. 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. She is the first female lieutenant governor of Idaho. 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,. A member of the Republican Party, she was previously a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 2002 until 2012. He can be reached by email at [emailprotected]. Shortly after, the McGeachins settle up with a crisp $100 bill, and make their exit. Fundraising allowed some successful statewide candidates to dominate the airwaves. Briefly serving as acting governor, Janice McGeachin issues order The McGeachins are known for frequenting their pub. 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. Idaho Lt. Gov. Hes a career firefighter who has also represented his school district in the Idaho School Boards Association. Sami Edge/Idaho Education News A day after announcing she will run for governor in 2022, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, America First Warrior - Facebook [70] Little won re-nomination with 52.81% of the vote, with McGeachin receiving 32.24% of the vote, Edward R. Humphreys receiving 10.96% of the vote, and an assortment of minor candidates receiving the rest. 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. We will restore health freedom and end the threat of medical tyranny. 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. In the second, in October, she prohibited public schools and the states Department of Education from requiring COVID-19 testing or vaccinations. "[25] The Idaho Falls Post Register editorial board criticized McGeachin for embracing the 3 Percenters and militia movement. Janice McGeachin launches bid for governor, challenging. Brian Myrick / Idaho Press. 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 Each rode the Make America Great Again wave under former President Donald Trump that propelled a number of far-right candidates into office. It is time to make Idaho free again, she said. Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary[76] and the general election. McGeachin Signs Executive Order on Mask Mandates, "Idaho healthcare leaders plead for coronavirus mask mandate", Idaho lieutenant governor keeps focus on vaccine mandates, McGeachin's office used misleading number to disparage COVID vaccines, Idaho hospitals begin rationing health care amid COVID surge, Idaho under statewide 'crisis standards' for rationing care, Idaho morgues are running out of space for bodies as covid-19 deaths mount, Idaho governor asks people to get COVID-19 vaccine. 2015 - 2023 He holds a Ph.D. in political science from Loyola University in Chicago. 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. [14][15][16][17], In April 2017, McGeachin filed to run for lieutenant governor of Idaho. Janice McGeachin, 57, received $314,727 through two different PPP loans for J.R. McGeachin Inc in April . 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. During her time at Skyline High, McGeachin was a member of the schools choreographed drill team, involved in student council and also voted homecoming royalty. My disagreements with his decisions of shutting businesses down and managing the pandemic grew, McGeachin said. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. [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. 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. Janice McGeachin Loses to Brad Little Despite Trump Endorsement | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. Where men are men, and sheep are scared! Jimmy McGeachin belts back, a joke about bestiality. [40][46] At the rally, McGeachin criticized Little and other state officials. [22] She opposes abortion, same-sex marriage, and gun control. But shes a hard worker for what we stand for maintaining our republic. And I have had two healthy pregnancies, said McGeachin, long a vocal advocate against a womans right to obtain an abortion. What is Janice McGeachin Net Worth? COEUR d'ALENE With an American flag and two crosses in the background at Candlelight Christian Fellowship, Lt. Gov. [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. [22] For the caption, she wrote "Sending love to Todd Engel from the Idaho Capital and 'getting to know' the new Senate Pages. In each case, Little returned the next day and rescinded McGeachins order, calling the first instance an irresponsible, self-serving political stunt.. Id say shes more withdrawn today, Winder, who supports Little, told the Statesman. | Sarah A. Miller smiller@idahostatesman.com. Trump calls her just about every other week to inquire about the campaign, she said. All three politicos now carry the highly sought-after endorsement of Americas polarizing 45th president. Who Is Janice McGeachin's Husband? Each was the first woman to serve in their positions, too, and she credited them both for their fearlessness and no-nonsense approach to politics. Governor candidacy", "May 15, 2018 Primary Election Results: Statewide Totals", Candidate's security team seen as unusual for Idaho politics, "Lt. Gov. calls that 'shameful', Idaho governor repeals political rival's executive order. 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. 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. Janice McGeachin: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com But in some legislative races, outside political groups might have played a bigger and more far-reaching role. She also has sparked controversy over her repeated interactions with fringe, extremist and racist figures.
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