Governor appoints Boise woman to vacant seat in Idaho House of Representatives

Idaho Gov. Brad Little has appointed Lauren Necochea to fill an Idaho House of Representatives vacant seat in northeast Boise’s District 19.

Necochea replaces Democratic Rep. Mat Erpelding, who resigned his seat Dec. 6 to take a position with Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce as its government and community relations director.

Necochea is director of two nonprofit organizations, Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy and Idaho Voices for Children.

She earned her master’s degree in public affairs at Princeton University and holds a bachelor’s in economics from Pomona College. She was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to study microfinance in Peru, according to ICFP’s website.

Necochea, also a Democrat, will complete the second year of Erpelding’s two-year term.

All 105 Idaho legislative seats are up for election in 2020.

“I want to thank Representative Erpelding for his service to his constituents, and I wish him well into the future,” Little said in a news release. “I greatly appreciate Lauren’s willingness to step up and serve the people of Idaho and District 19.”

Erpelding served as House Democratic leader. On Dec. 10, the House Democratic caucus selected its new leadership: Boise Rep. Ilana Rubel will serve as House Democratic leader; Garden City Rep. John McCrostie will serve as House Democratic assistant leader; and Pocatello Rep. Elaine Smith will serve as House Democratic caucus chair.