81-Year-Old Lawmaker To Run Again

Longtime Rep. Hilde Kellogg will join her two District 2 colleagues in running for re-election this year.

Kellogg, R-Post Falls; Rep. Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum; and Sen. Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum, all will be on the ballot. Kellogg had considered retiring after this year.

“People would say, `Please, another time,”’ Kellogg said. “The people who want me to run are people who are interested in the economy, in education and the environment. I guess they think I have a good record and a good approach and don’t seem to think that age should make any difference.”

Kellogg, 81, is the oldest member of the Legislature.

Known as a pro-business lawmaker, she serves as vice chairman of the key Revenue and Taxation Committee. She sponsored legislation this year to give fast-growing communities a fairer share of state sales tax proceeds. The bill has passed the House and is awaiting a Senate vote.

Kellogg said another factor in her decision was the declining number of experienced lawmakers on the Revenue and Taxation Committee, where all tax law originates. On the complicated issues the committee handles, having some experienced members “kind of helps,” she said.

“I believe the people I work with appreciate the institutional memory I bring to the table,” she said.

Kellogg will be seeking her ninth term in the House. Meyer and Boatright both will be seeking fourth terms.

Said Meyer: “We work well as a team for North Idaho and the people of Bonner and Kootenai counties, and we are building some seniority, which makes a lot of difference in getting things done for our constituents back home.”

If Meyer wins re-election, he will be in line to become chairman of the House Business Committee. Boatright serves on the powerful Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, which sets the state budget.

The primary election is May 23; the general election is Nov. 7.