When the Senate took its roll-call vote this morning to re-elect Sen. Brent Hill as president pro-tem, new Sen. Mary Souza, R-Coeur d’Alene, didn’t vote the first time her name was called – for her first vote – but did when it was called again at the end of the roll, joining in the unanimous vote. Asked about it, Souza said, “I didn’t pass – I didn’t hear them say my name.” There were audio problems in the Senate chamber at the time; several senators already had complained that they couldn’t hear.

“I turned to Patti Anne Lodge, who happened to be sitting next to me,” Souza said, wondering if her name had been skipped. Finding out that her name came right after that of Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, Souza said she made sure on the next roll call to listen for his name so as not to miss hers. Souza said she had absolutely no qualms about supporting Hill for pro-tem.

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