Sho-Con: Yes, Rammell polled well in Idaho and Bonner Counties when he ran for Governor, but they weren’t voting FOR him, so much as they were voting AGAINST Otter. Also, that was BEFORE his two arrests, and his bizarre “sovereign citizen” line that he used in open court. Unless you’re banking on them setting up a polling place at the State mental hospital in Orofino? Look at what he’s posting on @FakeRexRammell on Twitter (yes, it says “fake” in the name, but I’ve heard that’s really him) for an idea of how he’s gone completely bonkers … Bonner, Idaho, and Clearwater counties have a right-wing constituency, especially in the GOP, but they haven’t gone THAT far off the deep end.

Question: Can controversial Rex Rammell beat incumbent Rep. Shannon McMillan in the new far-flung House District 7?

If the far-flung new Legislative District 7 wasn't enough to scare off state Rep. Shannon McMillan, this might. Dustin Hurst/Idaho Reporter just tweeted: “Rex Rammell has filed to challenge Rep. Shannon McMillan in the Republican primary!” I wouldn't wish a race against Rex Rammell on anyone.

Rammell's latest missive to the media says Americans are “brainwashed” to sheepishly follow immoral laws and that he'll stay in the news crusading for legal reform. A perennial losing candidate for high office, Rammell was convicted of poaching and criminal contempt this summer, prompting his August essay predicting “blood in the streets” and collapse of the US government. His Halloween message focuses on his legal reform ideas. Writes Rammell: “There are too many laws and regulations and our policemen, prosecutors, and judges need electric shock collars to remind them that we are not all criminals!” Rammell calls himself proud of his reputation as Idaho's “poster child for government insubordination”/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: A Facebook Friend asks why Idaho Republicans more or less have rejected Rammell but continue to back Rep. Phil Hart. Anyone?

If Rex Rammell's tale were strictly a political one, his 15 minutes of fame would be up. He lost last year's GOP gubernatorial primary to Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter by more than a 2-to-1 margin. He carried only two counties - Benewah and Idaho - which explains his move to the Grangeville area. Two years earlier, he did no better than 5 percent against U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho. In 2004, he got only 35.7 percent of the vote against state Rep. Mack Shirley, R-Rexburg. In 2002, he ran fourth in a five-way Republican primary for a seat in the Idaho House. He self-financed his campaigns while declaring bankruptcy/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Are you fascinated by the train wreck that has become Rex Rammell?

Shoshone Conservative: Rex Rammell is to Idaho politics what Lindsey Lohan and Britney Spears are to entertainment - like watching a trainwreck in slow motion. Before, yeah, there was the whole misguided independent Senate campaign, and, yeah, he said some stupid things (“Obama tag”), but, on the whole, nothing goofier than Biden or Bachmann. And his views weren’t any further “out there” than most of the Idaho Right. But, now - it’s like he’s had some sort of nervous breakdown or something. Seriously. The guy needs professional help.

Question: Which other Idaho/national leaders do you consider as extreme as Rammell?

Claiming Magistrate Judge Jeff P. Payne has no jurisdiction over him, former gubernatorial candidate Rex F. Rammell pleaded innocent to a misdemeanor charge of battery Tuesday. Rammell told Payne that he is a “de jure” citizen and invoked his ninth constitutional amendment rights, which makes him exempt from the laws of the corporate state. Rammell said after the hearing he filed a Ninth Amendment affidavit claiming such rights in Boise earlier this year. “I am no longer a member of the corporate state of Idaho,” Rammell explained. “It doesn't mean that we don't follow the law and rules - it means that we're not part of the corporate system.” Even so, Rammell is scheduled for a pretrial hearing in the case Oct. 11 at 10:30 a.m. Payne, who ignored the part about being a “de jure” citizen, told Rammell he faces a possible $1,000 fine, six months in jail and two years probation/Kathy Hedberg, Lewiston Tribune. More here. (Lewiston Tribune photo of Rex Rammell)

Question: Why are we Idahoans so fascinated by the ever curiouser and curiouser life & times of Rex Rammell? Or are you?

Former gubernatorial and congressional candidate Rex F. Rammell is scheduled to appear in Magistrate Court here Sept. 27 on a misdemeanor charge of battery involving an altercation with another man a week ago. An earlier story in the Lewiston Tribune presumptively indicated Rammell was facing a felony charge. The Tribune's story was based on a probable-cause affidavit filed at the Idaho County Courthouse by Idaho County sheriff's Sgt. Carlos Martinez, which didn't indicate whether Rammell would be charged with a felony or a misdemeanor. A formal complaint was filed at the Idaho County Courthouse Friday. According to Martinez's report, Rammell is accused of twice grabbing another man by the throat during a Sept. 8 confrontation. Rammell said during an interview Friday the Sept. 8 incident involving William Shira had to do with the Shiras allegedly trespassing on Rammell's property/Kathy Hedberg, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Do you expect Rammell to run again for statewide office in Idaho?

Here's a news item from the Associated Press: LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — Former gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell has been charged with felony battery in Idaho County after authorities say he confronted a couple for trespassing. The Lewiston Tribune report (http://bit.ly/rppC7J ) Rammell tried to place the couple under citizens' arrest and is accused of grabbing and trying to choke the man, William Shira, during the confrontation Thursday. The Idaho County Sheriff's Office says Rammell also resisted arrest. Rammell is set to make an initial court appearance on Sept. 27, nearly two months after his last legal battle ended. An eastern Idaho jury convicted Rammell of poaching a cow elk in July. The following month, Rammell pleaded guilty to criminal contempt in a case that started when he was arrested for tampering with jurors in the poaching trial.

Fresh from his guilty plea to criminal contempt, perennial candidate Rex Rammell says “The federal government will fail. It is inevitable.” Rammell also reviews his July poaching conviction, which he is appealing. Rammell, who spoke of the “White Horse Prophecy” during his 2010 gubernatorial race, wrote, “It has been prophesied that there will be 'blood in the streets.' Fathers will turn against their sons and sons will turn against their fathers. Mothers will turn against their daughters and daughters will turn against their mothers. People will be starving. Crime will become rampant. America will be on the verge of crumbling to pieces.” His opinion piece may again draw on the prophecy, attributed by some to Joseph Smith, that the Constitution of the United States would “hang by a thread” and be saved by elders in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which Rammell is a member/Dan Popkey, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Do you believe in the literal fulfillment of religious prophecy?

Here's a news item from the Associated Press:  IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell has pleaded guilty to criminal contempt and will serve nine months of probation to end a case that started when he was arrested for tampering with jurors in his poaching trial. In an agreement reached with the Bonneville County prosecutor's office, Rammell pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was given a withheld judgment, meaning the conviction can be erased from his record if he completes terms of the sentence. Rammell, a former elk rancher who also ran for the U.S. Senate in 2008, was charged in May with a felony for attempting to influence jurors. He was charged after he passed out leaflets from the Fully Informed Jury Association to potential jurors called to serve on his elk poaching case.

The plea agreement not only ended Rammell's latest legal tiff, but also ensured he can pursue political office without having to wait to clear a felony from his record. “I still believe that what I did was innocent and harmless and not against the law, but a guy has to pick and choose his battles,” Rammell said. “This is a battle for someone else for another day.” The judge also ordered Rammell to pay $500 in fines, but suspended $250.

Rammell ran last year in the GOP gubernatorial primary, finishing second with 26 percent of the vote to incumbent C.L. “Butch” Otter. He lost in the primary in 2008 in his bid for the GOP nomination in the race for an open U.S. Senate seat, ultimately won by Jim Risch.

Rammell said moving past the jury tampering case enables him to focus instead on appealing his conviction in the poaching case. He was convicted July 1 of unlawful possession of wildlife for killing an elk in November in a different hunting zone than allowed on his hunting tag. “There are issues in that case that I am still furious about,” Rammell said. “I think I can prove that I did not get a fair trial.”

HUNTING — In case you missed the news, an eastern Idaho jury on Friday convicted former gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell of illegally shooting and killing a cow elk in December.

The jury of six people deliberated about an hour before finding Rammell guilty of misdemeanor unlawful possession of wildlife, according to the Associated Press.

His hunting license was suspended for two years and he was ordered to serve 180 days in jail, with all but five days of the jail sentence suspended.

Rammell was told to pay a $250 process fee as well as $1,500 in fines, suspending $500 of the fines.

Rammell says he didn’t get a fair trial and will appeal. Because of the appeal, Rammell’s jail sentence was stayed.

After many months and after getting charged with jury tampering (yet to go to trial), former Republican gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell was convicted of poaching an elk. He was fined $1000 (after the judge suspended $500) and will serve 5 days in jail (after the judge suspended 175 days of the jail sentence). He lost his elk license for 2 years. All in all, it seems a typical Idaho sentence for poaching elk. The money to be recovered from Rammell will not go far in paying for the cost of the case to the state. Rammell also vows to appeal/Ralph Maughan, Wildlife News. More here.  (SR file photo: Betsy Russell)

Question: Did the penalty in this case fit the crime?

Here's a news item from the Associated Press: IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — An eastern Idaho jury has convicted former gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell of illegally shooting and killing a cow elk. The Post Register reports that the jury of six people deliberated about an hour on Friday before finding Rammell guilty of misdemeanor unlawful possession of wildlife. Magistrate Judge Stephen Clark suspended Rammell's hunting license for two years and ordered him to serve 180 days in jail, with all but five days of the jail sentence suspended. Clark also ordered Rammell to pay a $250 process fee as well as $1,500 in fines, suspending $500 of the fines. Rammell says he didn't get a fair trial and will appeal. Because of the appeal, Rammell's jail sentence was stayed. Idaho officials say Rammell was in illegal possession of an elk on Dec. 8.

Somebody up there must have a soft spot for columnists and editorial writers trying to get through the summer doldrums. How else can you explain Rex Rammell? The former Senate and gubernatorial candidate — and reliable gift that keeps on giving to Idaho political pundits — delivered once again on Thursday. Rammell scheduled a news conference to discuss his latest criminal charge: a felony count of jury tampering. His news conference was cut short. In a scene worthy of an episode of “Cops,” Bonneville County deputies cuffed Rammell and squired him away in a squad car, over his objections/Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman. More here. (SR file photo/Betsy Russell, of Rex Rammell during 2009 guv campaign)

Question: Which political figure is Idaho's looniest tune?

Former Idaho gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell's continuing saga got even wackier yesterday, when he called a press conference outside the Bonneville County Courthouse, saying he wanted to “discuss the Felony Jury Tampering charges he now faces, in addition to the Misdemeanor for illegally possessing wildlife.” His press release was headed, “Rex Rammell Felony Charge.” His event was interrupted as officers showed up, cuffed him and arrested him; Rammell said he had intended to turn himself in. “They're treating me like a criminal,” he says in video of the incident on KPVI-TV. “This is unnecessary - I'm a good citizen. … All I was doing was trying to inform the jury of their rights.” You can see the video here from KPVI, which includes a handcuffed Rammell trying to answer questions from the press as deputies try to load him into a squad car.

Here's Rammell's latest press release: “At 11 AM  I arrived at the Bonneville County Courthouse to hold a press conference.  County deputies were obviously waiting for me, because three of them were on me lack a pack of dogs on a rabbit.  They were very physical.  They forcefully handcuffed me and hurried me away from the Courthouse, despite my objections.  TV 6 and 8 filmed the entire episode.  I posted bond and am scheduled for a preliminary examination, July 6, 1:30.”

The felony charge in question is jury tampering, for handing out fliers to jurors who were about to hear the case against Rammell for poaching an elk in November.

Here's the latest Rex Rammell news, via the Idaho Falls Post Register and the Associated Press: A state judge has delayed the poaching trial of former gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell to investigate if Rammell broke another law when he handed out leaflets to potential jurors in the case as they were entering the courthouse, offering them advice it said “judges may not tell you.” Really. Click below for the full report.

If Idaho County residents take the advice of failed gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell and start illegally killing wolves, law enforcement will step in. “I think it’s pretty clear to say that if there’s a federal law that is violated, then the federal law will have to be engaged,” Meggan Laxalt Mackey, an external affairs specialist with the agency, told the Lewiston Tribune, adding, “Federal law enforcement officials will have to act.” Click below for a full report.

Embroiled in a scandal? Caught breaking the ethical rules? Facing a criminal charge? Guilty as hell? Come to the firm of Rammell, Loertscher and Hart. Former Republican gubernatorial hopeful Rex Rammell, state Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, and state Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol have pioneered innovative ways to excuse, explain away or just outright stampede any and all allegations of impropriety/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Do you agree with Marty Trillhaase that Rex Rammell, Tom Loertscher, & Phil Hart have raised the bar for explaining away bad behavior?

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press:  GRANGEVILLE, Idaho (AP) — A failed Idaho gubernatorial candidate has told a crowd they should take matters into their own and start killing wolves. The Lewiston Tribune reports that Rex Rammell spoke to a crowd of more than 100 Wednesday night in Idaho County, one of the only counties to support his primary bid against Republican Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter. Rammell says county commissioners should declare an emergency that allows citizens to kill wolves on sight. But, he adds, residents should organize a hunt and start killing wolves anyway even if no such order comes. He says he does not believe the sheriff, the state or federal authorities would interfere. Wolves lost their endangered status in Montana and Idaho in 2009, but were returned to the endangered list this year following a lawsuit from environmentalists.

Rex Rammell is coming to Idaho County, where he aims to eradicate wolves and restore big game populations. Rammell, who lost to Gov. C.L. (Butch) Otter in the Republican primary last spring, and also lost a bid to win the U.S. Senate seat now held by Jim Risch in 2008, said he plans to move from the Idaho Falls area to the county next month and rent a home in Harpster. He will be in Grangeville Wednesday pushing a plan to wrest wolf management authority from the federal government and give it to the county. Rammell wants the county commission to pass an emergency ordinance giving Sheriff Doug Giddings authority to kill wolves/Erik Barker, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Would looney-tune Rammell have a chance of winning a legislative seat if he moved to House District 3 (now represented by Phil Hart, Steve Vick, Vito Barbieri)?

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press:  IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Former Idaho gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell has been charged with poaching an elk in eastern Idaho. Bonneville County Prosecutor Bruce Pickett says the Idaho Falls man was charged Tuesday with misdemeanor possession of game that was unlawfully taken. Idaho Fish and Game said Rammell was in illegal possession of an elk on Dec. 8. When an officer asked Rammell for his hunting permit, he produced one for a different zone that expired in October. Rammell said previously he thought the tag enabled him to hunt in any area he chose to. Rammell ran in the Republican primary for Governor this year and two years ago as an Independent for the U.S. Senate. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 23.

After being caught last week dragging an illegally shot elk behind his snowmobile, former political candidate Rex Rammell has released an op-ed piece claiming he was misled by a sporting goods store that sold him an elk tag and that state Fish & Game wardens are “Nazis.” In his piece, he says he told the game warden, “You better get your gun out, because you’re going to have to shoot me if you want this elk.” He also opines, “The rules are ambiguous and I am not the only hunter confused by them and misinformed by Sportsman’s Warehouse.” Click below to read his full article.

Rammell was nabbed by an Idaho Fish and Game officer who found him with an elk, but not the proper tag required for hunting. “I was upset that they confiscated my elk,” Rammell said, also refuting the law enforcement version of the story that alleges he resisted. “I did not threaten the fish and game officer; I simply told him if he’s going to take my elk, he’s going to have to shoot me first,” Rammell said. When the officer told him the elk was needed as evidence, Rammell said he suggested that the officer should take a picture as evidence instead. The officer didn’t take him up on the suggestion/Ben Botkin, Capitol Confidential. More here.

Question: Would you like to see Rex Rammell run for a state or federal office again?

Rex Rammell, Idaho Falls, is under investigation in the illegal killing of an elk following a confrontation with an Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer. The officer was patrolling the Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area east of Idaho Falls late this morning where a late season cow elk hunt is being held. The officer checked Rammell’s elk tag after he saw that Rammell was dragging a dead elk with his snowmobile. The tag was invalid because it was issued for a hunt that closed in October in the Middle Fork elk hunting zone/

Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Rex Rammell, Idaho Falls, is under investigation in the illegal killing of an elk following a confrontation with an Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer. The officer was patrolling the Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area east of Idaho Falls late this morning where a late season cow elk hunt is being held. The officer checked Rammell’s elk tag after he saw that Rammell was dragging a dead elk with his snowmobile. The tag was invalid because it was issued for a hunt that closed in October in the Middle Fork elk hunting zone/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

• House Dems looking to shake up leadership team/Dustin Hurst, Reporter
• Bayer preps for bad budget year in run for leadership spot/Dustin Hurst, IR
• Report: Idaho’s emergency medical services leaves gaps/Betsy Russell, EOB
• Prosecutor: Secret deals by Tax Commission not a crime/Betsy Russell, EOB
  

Question: Are you surprised that the former candidate for governor and U.S. senator is in hot water again?

The Idaho Fish & Game Department issued this news release just now about Rex Rammell, the quirky former elk rancher whose run for governor in the Republican primary this year won him 26 percent of the vote, finishing second to  incumbent Gov. Butch Otter in a six-way race:

Rex Rammell, Idaho Falls, is under investigation in the illegal killing of an elk following a confrontation with an Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer. The officer was patrolling the Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area east of Idaho Falls late this morning where a late season cow elk hunt is being held. The officer checked Rammell’s elk tag after he saw that Rammell was dragging a dead elk with his snowmobile. The tag was invalid because it was issued for a hunt that closed in October in the Middle Fork elk hunting zone. Elk tags in Idaho are issued for one of 29 elk hunting zones and are not valid elsewhere Rammell is alleged to have interfered with the officer’s attempt to seize the elk, made a threatening statement, dragged it back to his vehicle and refused to stop until he reached his residence where he refused to accept a citation. Fish and Game confiscated the elk and will seek formal charges.

In late May, Rammell said that he was done with Idaho politics for the foreseeable future and that he had no plans to run for elected office.  He might be changing his tune slightly, though he points out that he hasn’t made any firm decisions.  ”My supporters in District 2, the St. Maries area, are wanting me to run there,” said Rammell. “And I’m considering it. But I am waiting until they draw the districts up next year to see what happens”/Dustin Hurst, Idaho Reporter. More here.

Question: Could Rex Rammell when a seat in the Idaho Legislature by moving to District 2 (southern Bonner County, Shoshone County, and St. Maries)?

Here’s a news item from the Lewiston Tribune, via The Associated Press:  GRANGEVILLE, Idaho (AP) — For erstwhile Idaho gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell, home may be where his voters are. Rammell, a veterinarian who ran second in May 25’s Republican gubernatorial primary to Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, may be moving from eastern Idaho to northcentral Idaho’s Idaho County. It was one of just two counties won last month by Rammell, who ran as the darling of tea party Republicans. He got 1,510 votes in Idaho County, Otter only won 1,296. While campaigning, Rammell says he took a liking to the region’s geography, its big game and its people — especially those who picked him. He told the Lewiston Tribune it “I’m popular up there.” He also says there’s a shortage of large-animal veterinarians. He plans to spend the summer, to see if he wants to stay for good.

Failed Idaho gubernatorial candidate Rex F. Rammell expects to arrive in Idaho County today to open a large animal veterinary clinic with an eye toward moving to the area permanently. Rammell, 49, confirmed by telephone Monday that he and his wife, Linda, and one daughter will arrive in Kamiah today and begin operating a mobile veterinary clinic from his pickup truck. “I kind of fell in love with the area, to be right honest with you,” Rammell said. “They have a shortage of large animal veterinarians in that area. And so I thought we’re coming up to check it out to see if we want to build a house”/Kathy Hedberg, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: Would you want Rex Rammell for a neighbor?