Janice McGeachin

Last updated • 6 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

As lieutenant governor, McGeachin had a strained relationship with the governor, Brad Little, [11] [35] [36] despite the fact that both were conservative Republicans. [11] McGeachin frequently criticized Little's strategy regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. [37] 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. [38]

During the pandemic, McGeachin repeatedly criticized Little for taking steps (such as closing physical businesses) to prevent the spread of the disease. [8] [39] In late-April 2020, McGeachin urged reopening all businesses in Idaho by April 30, [40] and also spoke at a protest in eastern Idaho against stay-at-home directives. [41] In a May 2020 editorial, McGeachin wrote: "I lose sleep at night because the heavy hand of our government is hurting so many Idahoans." [39] By July 2020, after the state's economy had reopened, Idaho saw a spike in coronavirus cases. [39] 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. [37] [42] At the rally, McGeachin criticized Little and other state officials. [37] [42] 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." [43] [36]

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. McGeachin criticized the governor's coronavirus policies while touting the technology, although a National Institutes of Health study published months earlier determined that the use of "walk-through sanitation gates" was ineffective, possibly dangerous, and violates global health standards. [44]

In July 2020, McGeachin condemned federal economic relief granted during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, McGeachin's Idaho Falls-based business accepted two partially forgivable loans, totaling $314,727, from the federal Paycheck Protection Program. 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." [45]

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. [38] [35] [46] McGeachin issued the order without consulting Little, [35] and against the wishes of state health officials who had sought a statewide mask mandate, [47] which Idaho has never had. [35] 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." [35] 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. [35] Little also noted that her order duplicated a proposed bill that had failed to pass the state legislature. [35] 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." [48]

McGeachin used her office to promote misinformation to disparage COVID-19 vaccines. [49] [50] By fall 2021, Idaho had among the nation's lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates. [51] A surge in COVID-19 cases first strained, and then surpassed, the capacity of the state's health care system. [38] [52] [53] 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. [51] [52] 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. [54] McGeachin also opposes vaccine mandates. [54] [48]

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. She also inquired with the Idaho National Guard about ordering troops to the U.S.-Mexico border that Little was visiting. The governor and lieutenant governor publicly feuded, [55] [56] [57] [58] and Little rescinded McGeachin's order while he was still in Texas. In so doing, Little stated 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." [55]

2020 presidential election

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. [59]

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. [60] [61] Legal experts dismissed the suit as meritless, [61] and it was rejected by the Supreme Court. [62]

2022 candidacy for governor

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. [6] [63] 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". [6] Trump endorsed McGeachin's candidacy. [64] 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." [65]

In the May 17, 2022, Republican primary election, McGeachin lost to Little. [66] 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. [67] Of Idaho's 44 counties, McGeachin carried just four, all in the Idaho panhandle. [68] She concluded her term as lieutenant governor on January 2, 2023. [66]

Political positions

McGeachin is part of the far-right wing of the Republican Party. [55] [69] She appeared at a rally for the Three Percenters, an anti-government militia movement group. [19] She opposes abortion, same-sex marriage, and gun control. [70] She opposes Medicaid expansion and was a leading opponent of 2018 Proposition 2, an initiative to expand Medicaid coverage to about 62,000 Idahoans. [3] [70] [71] She opposes minimum wages, believing that government should play no role in determining wages. [70] 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." [3] She accused the Biden administration of seeking to indoctrinate schoolchildren in "Marxist, socialist ideology" and believes that Idaho should promote "state sovereignty" by rejecting federal funds for a variety of programs. [69]

Electoral history

2002

McGeachin and Republican Representative Larry C. Bradford were re-districted to 31A. McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary [72] and the general election. [73]

2004

McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary [74] and for the general election. [75]

2006

McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary. [76] She won the general election with 71.19% of the vote against Democratic nominee Scott Cannon. [77]

2008

McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary. [78] She won the general election with 73% of the vote against Scott Cannon. [79]

2010

McGeachin was unopposed for the Republican primary [80] and the general election. [81] She announced on February 24, 2012, that she would not be seeking re-election. [82] [3]

2018

Janice McGeachin
Janice McGeachin by Gage Skidmore.jpg
43rd Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
In office
January 7, 2019 –January 2, 2023
Idaho Lieutenant Governor Republican primary, 2018 [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Janice McGeachin 51,098 28.9
Republican Steve Yates 48,26927.3
Republican Marv Hagedorn 26,65315.1
Republican Bob Nonini 26,55615.0
Republican Kelley Packer 24,51313.8
Idaho lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 [83]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Idaho Republican Party Janice McGeachin356,50759.7%
Democratic Kristin Collum240,35540.3%
Total votes596,862 100%

2022

Idaho gubernatorial Republican primary, 2022 [84]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brad Little 148,844 52.8
Republican Janice McGeachin90,88532.2
Republican Edward Humphreys30,87811
Republican Stephen Bradshaw5,4701.9
Republican Ashley Jackson1,1200.4
Republican Ben Cannady8040.3
Republican Cody Usabel6830.2

References

  1. 1 2 3 "House Membership: Janice K. McGeachin". Boise, Idaho: Idaho Legislature. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Representative Janice K. McGeachin's Biography". Project Vote Smart . Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Alysha Love, 5 things to know about Idaho's 1st female lieutenant governor, Idaho Statesman , November 9, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Madeleine Coles, McGeachin says business experience will help her in lieutenant governor role, Associated Press (January 13, 2019).
  5. ↑ "Bonneville County Primary Election, May 23, 2000" (PDF).
  6. 1 2 3 Keith Ridler, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin announces run for Idaho governor, Associated Press (May 19, 2021).
  7. ↑ Statesman, Julia Frankel, Mara Hoplamazian and Malaika Tapper, of The Idaho (August 24, 2020). "GOP leaders in Idaho have ties to extremist movement". The Lewiston Tribune. Retrieved December 15, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. 1 2 Rebecca Boone, Idaho healthcare leaders plead for coronavirus mask mandate, Associated Press (July 14, 2020).
  9. ↑ "Mitt Romney-Idaho Organization". www2.gwu.edu. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Idaho endorsements of Mitt Romney". aboutmittromney.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  11. 1 2 3 Justin Rohrlich, Idaho's Anti-Lockdown Lieutenant Governor Has Gone Rogue, Daily Beast (May 25, 2020).
  12. 1 2 "McGeachin hits campaign trail". Post Register. April 19, 2017. Archived from the original on May 18, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  13. ↑ "McGeachin: Why I Support Donald Trump". East Idaho News. November 8, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Republican National Convention approaches". Post Register. June 16, 2016. Archived from the original on May 21, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  15. ↑ "2 more candidates to run for Idaho lieutenant governor". AP News. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Janice McGeachin announces Lt. Governor candidacy". KPVI. April 17, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  17. 1 2 "May 15, 2018 Primary Election Results: Statewide Totals". Idaho Secretary of State.
  18. ↑ Candidate's security team seen as unusual for Idaho politics, Associated Press (October 24, 2018).
  19. 1 2 3 Sewell, Cynthia (March 1, 2019). "Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin facing public condemnation over photo with 3 Percenters". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  20. ↑ Dawson, Dawson; Druzin, Heath (March 1, 2019). "Idaho Lieutenant Governor Faces Backlash For Photo Supporting Jailed Militiaman". Boise State Public Radio. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  21. ↑ Lowe, Emily; Simmons, Tommy (March 1, 2019). "Idaho Lt. Gov. poses with protesters in support of standoff prisoner". Idaho State Journal. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  22. ↑ Russell, Betsy Z. (March 1, 2019). "McGeachin in statement: 'I wholeheartedly reject bigotry and discrimination'". Idaho Press. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  23. ↑ Editorial Board, Dangerous Embrace of the Militia Movement, Post Register (April 23, 2019).
  24. ↑ "Marjorie Taylor Greene Speaks At White Nationalist Conference". HuffPost. February 25, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  25. ↑ Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Lt. Gov. McGeachin speech played at conference organized by white nationalist, Idaho Statesman (March 3, 2022).
  26. 1 2 3 Keith Ridler, McGeachin delivers taped speech to white nationalist meeting, Associated Press (February 26, 2022).
  27. ↑ Clark Corbin, McGeachin's education task force discusses calls to disband State Board of Education, Idaho Capital Sun, via Idaho Statesman (August 1, 2021).
  28. 1 2 3 Becca Savransky, 'A Very McCarthyism Feel': Idaho Teachers Say Indoctrination Task Force Stokes Fear, Idaho Statesman. Via EdWeek (July 29, 2021).
  29. ↑ Editorial Board, Idaho's far-right 'indoctrination' witch hunt comes up short in Boise State investigation, Idaho Statesman (May 24, 2021).
  30. ↑ Blake Jones, ISBA rep leaves indoctrination task force, decrying 'partisan campaigning', Idaho Ed News (June 4, 2021).
  31. ↑ Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin fined $750 over public record violations, KBOI-TV (August 26, 2021).
  32. ↑ Jake Garcia, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin settles Idaho Press Club Lawsuit, KIVI-TV (November 3, 2021).
  33. 1 2 Clark Corbin, Public records show McGeachin billed nearly $17,000 for her own legal fees in records lawsuit, Idaho Capital Sun (February 2, 2022).
  34. ↑ Keither Ridler, Idaho leaders don't act on McGeachin legal fee request, Associated Press (March 11, 2022).
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Derek Hawkins, Idaho lieutenant governor banned mask mandates while the governor was out of town. It didn't last, Washington Post , May 28, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  36. 1 2 Chris Cillizza, Republican infighting in Idaho over the coronavirus has reached a new low, CNN (October 29, 2020).
  37. 1 2 3 Heath Druzin, Low Turnout For COVID-19 Skeptic Rally Headlined By Idaho Lieutenant Governor, Boise State Public Radio (August 3, 2020).
  38. 1 2 3 Rebecca Boone, 'Loss of hope': Idaho hospitals crushed by COVID-19 surge, Associated Press (September 3, 2021).
  39. 1 2 3 Rebecca Boone, Cases of coronavirus in Idaho spike after businesses reopen, Associated Press (July 7, 2020).
  40. ↑ Devin Ramey, Lt. Gov. McGeachin urges Gov. Little to reopen all businesses in Idaho by April 30, KTVB (April 21, 2020).
  41. ↑ Activist apologizes after refusing to leave playground, Associated Press (April 26, 2020).
  42. 1 2 Ryan Blake, 'Freedom' rally in Twin Falls decries moderate Republicans, public education, masks and the media, Times-News (August 1, 2020).
  43. ↑ Teo Armus, Idaho lieutenant gov. appears in video slamming virus rules, whether 'a pandemic may or may not be occurring', Washington Post (October 30, 2020).
  44. ↑ Idaho Lt. Governor promotes 'walk-thru disinfectant cubes', Associated Press (November 25, 2020).
  45. ↑ Idaho lieutenant governor got pandemic loans for business, Associated Press (December 4, 2020).
  46. ↑ Benito Baeza, Acting as Idaho Governor, Lt. Gov. McGeachin Signs Executive Order on Mask Mandates, KLIX (May 27, 2021).
  47. ↑ Boone, Rebecca (July 27, 2020). "Idaho healthcare leaders plead for coronavirus mask mandate". Associated Press.
  48. 1 2 Idaho lieutenant governor keeps focus on vaccine mandates Keith Ridler. Associated Press. July 20, 2021.
  49. ↑ Kyle Pfannestiel, McGeachin's office used misleading number to disparage COVID vaccines, Post Register (September 2, 2021).
  50. ↑ Chuck Malloy, McGeachin: Those shots can kill you, Idaho State Journal (September 10, 2021).
  51. 1 2 Rebecca Boone, Idaho hospitals begin rationing health care amid COVID surge, Associated Press (September 7, 2021).
  52. 1 2 Meryl Kornfield, Idaho under statewide 'crisis standards' for rationing care, Washington Post (September 16, 2021).
  53. ↑ Derek Hawkins, Idaho morgues are running out of space for bodies as covid-19 deaths mount, Washington Post (September 25, 2021).
  54. 1 2 Jacob Scholl, Idaho governor asks people to get COVID-19 vaccine. Lt. Gov. calls that 'shameful', Idaho Statesman (August 31, 2021).
  55. 1 2 3 Keith Ridler, Idaho governor repeals political rival's executive order, Associated Press (October 6, 2021)
  56. ↑ Aaron Blake (October 7, 2021). "The political craziness in Idaho". Washington Post. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  57. ↑ Idaho's governor left the state. His lieutenant governor took power and banned state vaccine mandates., Washington Post (October 6, 2021).
  58. ↑ Carma Hassan and Josh Campbell, Idaho governor and lieutenant governor get into Twitter fight over state's executive orders, CNN (October 7, 2021).
  59. ↑ Idaho's 4 electors cast votes for Trump and Pence, Associated Press (December 14, 2020).
  60. ↑ "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 1⁄2-By-11-Inch Paper, And (3) To Do So Without Ten Days' Advance Notice To The Parties" (PDF). US Supreme Court. December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  61. 1 2 Hayley Harding (December 10, 2020). "Texas wants to overturn millions of votes. Idaho attorney general won't support it". Idaho Statesman.
  62. ↑ Nomaan Merchant; Alanna Durkin Richer; Mark Sherman (December 12, 2020). "Supreme Court rejects Republican attack on Biden victory". Associated Press – via Idaho Statesman.[ permanent dead link ]
  63. ↑ McGeachin becomes 7th candidate to file preliminary paperwork for run for governor in 2022, Idaho Press (May 19, 2021).
  64. ↑ Celina Van Hyning (November 9, 2021). "Donald Trump endorses McGeachin for Idaho governor". KTVB7.
  65. ↑ James Dawson, Lt. Gov. McGeachin on Fauci: I'll "lock him up", Boise State Public Radio News (February 15, 2022).
  66. 1 2 James Dawson (May 17, 2022). "Idaho Gov. Brad Little wins GOP primary over Trump's pick, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin". NPR.
  67. ↑ Idaho Election Results, Idaho Secretary of State's Office.
  68. ↑ Idaho Primary Election Results, New York Times (2022).
  69. 1 2 Nina Culver, Far-right Idaho lieutenant governor McGeachin announces bid to unseat Little as governor, The Spokesman-Review (May 25, 2021).
  70. 1 2 3 Lieutenant governor candidates differ on Medicaid, wages, Associated Press (October 18, 2018).
  71. ↑ Kimberlee Kruesi, Idaho Republicans push opposition to Medicaid expansion, Associated Press (June 29, 2018).
  72. ↑ "2002 Primary Results legislative". www.sos.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  73. ↑ "2002 General Results legislative". www.sos.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  74. ↑ "2004 Primary Results legislative". www.sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  75. ↑ "2004 General Results legislative". www.sos.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  76. ↑ "2006 Primary Results legislative". www.sos.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  77. ↑ "2006 General Results legislative". www.sos.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  78. ↑ "2008 Primary Results legislative". www.sos.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  79. ↑ "2008 General Results legislative". www.sos.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  80. ↑ "2010 Primary Results legislative". www.sos.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  81. ↑ "2010 General Results legislative". www.sos.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  82. ↑ Hurst, Dustin (February 24, 2012). "Days before filing begins, several candidates declare their intentions". Idaho Freedom Foundation. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  83. ↑ November 6, 2018 General Election Results: Statewide Totals, Idaho Secretary of State.
  84. ↑ "Idaho Governor Primary Election Results". NBC News . June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
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Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
2019–2023		Succeeded by
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