Gov. Little seeks replacement for Idaho Fish and Game commissioner who stepped down
Four months after appointing a new member to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission’s Clearwater Region seat, Gov. Brad Little is again seeking applicants for the position following the commissioner’s resignation.
Bradley Melton, who was appointed in September, resigned Friday, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Officials said Melton resigned over an Idaho law that requires no more than four of the seven commissioners to have the same political party affiliation. Shortly before the governor’s office received Melton’s application in September, he changed his party affiliation from Republican to unaffiliated.
Commissioners Derick Attebury, Lane Clezie, Greg Cameron and Brad Corkill are registered Republicans, while commissioners Jerry Meyers and Tim Murphy are unaffiliated. Melton would have been the fifth Republican on the commission had he not changed his party affiliation prior to being appointed.
Melton’s term would have run through June 30, 2023.
“Transparency in government and public confidence in the Idaho Fish and Game Commission are paramount to me,” Little said in the news release. “Although Mr. Melton is qualified to fill the spot, he willingly stepped down so that I can appoint someone to the commission in accordance with the spirit of the law. I appreciate Mr. Melton for his willingness to serve as a Fish and Game Commissioner and for his continued contributions to Idaho as a businessman and volunteer in his community. I am grateful for his candor and wish him the best.”
A financial adviser at Edward Jones Investments, Melton said when he was appointed that he has been a lifelong outdoorsman. He lives in Lewiston.
Commissioners supervise the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and set regulations, seasons and other wildlife policy. Applicants for the Clearwater position must reside in the region, which includes Lewiston, Moscow, Grangeville and numerous smaller towns in North Idaho.
Applicants for the commission seat can find an application form and further instructions online at gov.idaho.gov/appointments. Applications are due by March 13.
This story was originally published January 27, 2020 at 11:46 AM.
