Jim Rice of Caldwell has been appointed by Gov. Butch Otter to replace former Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, who resigned last week amid allegations of sexual harassment against a female Senate staffer. Rice, 46, is a Caldwell attorney who announced last month that he planned to run for an open House seat; you can read the Idaho Press-Tribune's full Feb. 3 article here about his announcement. Click below for a full announcement from Otter.
 

C.L. “Butch” Otter

GOVERNOR

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                          

March 1, 2012                                                                                

 

JIM RICE OF CALDWELL APPOINTED TO DISTRICT 10 IDAHO SENATE SEAT

 

(BOISE) – Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter appointed Caldwell attorney Jim Rice today to fill the District 10 Idaho Senate vacancy left by the resignation of Republican John McGee.

Rice, who turns 47 on Friday, was the first choice among three nominees forwarded to the Governor by the District 10 Republican Legislative Committee. The others were Brandon Hixon and Jarom Wagoner.

A Republican precinct committeeman in District 10, Rice announced his intention last month to run for House Seat 10 A. Instead, he will serve out the balance of McGee’s unexpired term and run for a full term of his own in the Idaho Senate.

Rice is a volunteer member of the Caldwell Schools Policy Committee. He and his wife, Tish, have eight children and four grandchildren. He graduated from Melba High School, attended Brigham Young University and received his law degree from William Howard Taft University in California. His legal practice focuses on family practice and Chapter 7 bankruptcy law.

“It’s an honor to be appointed to serve the citizens of District 10,” Rice said. “I’ll work hard to represent their interests in the Senate.”

 

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