Boise Sen. Maryanne Jordan announces she will retire from Idaho Senate
Sen. Maryanne Jordan, a Boise Democrat representing District 17, announced Thursday that she would not seek re-election.
In a news release, she said it was the “right time to move on to life’s adventures.”
“I’m pretty sure I’ll never look back on my life and say, ‘Gee, I wish I’d gone to more meetings,’” she wrote in the release. “I want to spend more than 2 days with friends and family without having to run home for the next commitment. I want to read more books and fewer reports. When it’s time you know it, and for me it’s time.”
Ali Rabe, the executive director of Jesse Tree — an organization that helps low-income residents and people in crisis with housing needs — has stepped forward already to run for the seat. Jordan said Rabe “represents the generational change we need to see in the Legislature.”
At the Statehouse, Jordan is known for bringing forward progressive bills. During the 2020 legislative session, that has included another “Add the Words” bill, which would add the terms “sexual orientation” and “gender discrimination” to Idaho’s Human Rights Act. She’s also advocated for tax relief for property owners.
Jordan previously served on the Boise City Council, including several years as its president. The council’s chambers are now named after her. She is also a commissioner for the Capital City Development Corp., Boise’s urban-renewal arm. Her term there expires in 2021.
Elaine Clegg, now the president of Boise City Council, described Jordan as one of her “dearest friends.” Jordan was appointed to the council in 2003, a few months before Clegg was elected for the first time. Clegg described Jordan as “solution-oriented” and as a person who always looked at the best way to represent her constituents.
“She’ll always be remembered at the city for her lengthy and impactful work, and she’s been impactful in the Senate in different ways,” Clegg said. “Much of the noise in partisan politics is aimed at the other party, but she’s been a voice of reason that continues to focus on solutions.”
Former Boise Mayor David Bieter, who was elected to lead the city in 2003, said in a voicemail message that he considered Jordan’s decision to be “really good for her and really bad for us.” Bieter and Jordan have been close for years, including when she endorsed him during his 2019 bid for re-election as mayor.
“She’s a great public servant, one of the best I’ve had the pleasure of knowing,” Bieter said. “She deserves to have a little time off.”
This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 3:00 PM.
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