Unelected Lawmakers Represent 1/4 Of Idahoans Gov. Batt Has Appointed 8 Legislators To Executive Jobs

Republican Gov. Phil Batt has left a fourth of all Idahoans represented by a state lawmaker they did not elect.

Eight of Idaho’s 105 legislators - representing 274,000 of the state’s people - have been appointed to replace elected legislators who have gone to work for Batt.

Batt named each of their replacements - he is one of nine governors who have that power. Most states either hold special elections or leave the job to county commissions.

Leaders of Idaho’s Democratic party say Batt’s reliance on legislators means Idaho should turn to special elections, too. The governor said he is open to that idea, and has pledged to raid the Legislature no more.

“The voters deserve to have some say in who represents them, and I think this process becomes somewhat of a popularity contest at the central committee level,” Idaho Democratic Party Executive Director Cathy Fuller said.

Eight is the most unelected legislators Idaho has ever had at one time. It also is the highest in the region.

A veteran state legislator himself, Batt said he turned to the Legislature because that’s where the state’s Republican politicians flourished under 24 years of Democratic governors.

Republicans scoff at complaints that the appointments are unfair, saying their party’s local precinct captains - who nominate finalists to the governor - represent the rank and file voters in their own districts.

Historian Randy Stapilus is betting that the appointed Republicans will act pretty much like those they replaced.

Where the difference is likely to show up is in the caution of the individual lawmakers and, ultimately, in the 1996 elections.

Appointed lawmakers are likely to get a stiff challenge in the 1996 elections.