Batt Names Midvale Rancher To Fill Vacant Seat In Senate
Gov. Phil Batt has appointed Washington County farmer-rancher Ric Branch to the Idaho Senate.
He replaces four-term veteran Mary Hartung of Payette, who resigned earlier this month to join Batt’s staff.
Branch, 39, Midvale, has a long history of activity in Republican politics. He’s chairman for Legislative District 9 and has been a state committeeman from Washington County since 1987.
Branch is chairman of the Research and Education Committee of the Idaho Cattle Association. He graduated from Midvale High School in 1973 and attended the University of Idaho. He and his wife, Cory, have two children.
Branch becomes the seventh member of the Idaho Legislature appointed by Batt to replace people who have joined his administration. Branch is the fourth Republican appointed to the Idaho Senate by Batt.