After longtime lawmaker is ousted, Idaho Republicans choose new Senate leader
After an election that left Idaho Republicans without some of their longtime Senate leaders, state lawmakers Thursday chose the replacements who will lead the body for the next two years.
Senate Majority Leader Kelly Anthon, R-Burley, was elected Senate president pro tempore, the leader of the Senate, on Thursday to replace longtime Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, who lost his seat in the GOP primary. Anthon, an attorney, has been a lawmaker since 2015.
Winder’s primary loss, alongside other moderate Senate Republicans, was widely viewed by lawmakers as a shift for the Senate further to the right. The chosen leaders will serve for the next two-year session and fill leadership positions that will guide policymaking in the Legislature within each caucus.
Sen. Mark Harris, R-Soda Springs, will take over as assistant majority leader after Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland, chose not to run for reelection.
The Senate also selected Sen. Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian, as majority leader and Sen. Ben Toews, R-Coeur d’Alene, as majority caucus chair.
Democrats will retain their leaders: Sen. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, will remain as minority leader; Sen. James Ruchti, D-Pocatello, as assistant minority leader; and Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise, as minority caucus chair.
Idaho House selects new leaders
Mike Moyle, R-Star, will remain House speaker for a second term.
The speaker runs daily business in the House and has broad discretion over the makeup of committees, which determine which bills make it to the floor for a vote. Republicans, who hold a supermajority in both chambers, will chair the committees and occupy a majority of seats on each panel.
Rep. Jason Monks, R-Meridian, retained his post as majority leader after Rep. Megan Blanksma, R-Hammett, was ousted this past session, and later lost her reelection bid.
The Republican caucus chose Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, as assistant majority leader to replace Rep. Sage Dixon, R-Ponderay, who did not seek reelection. Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Nampa, replaces Rep. Dustin Manwaring, R-Pocatello, as majority caucus chair.
Boise Democrats retained leadership positions: Ilana Rubel will remain as minority leader, Rep. Steve Berch was selected as assistant minority leader to replace Lauren Necochea, and Rep. Todd Achilles will be minority caucus chair.
The 2025 legislative session convenes Jan. 6.
This story was originally published December 5, 2024 at 9:12 AM.
