Denney selected as House speaker

BOISE – Conservative Rep. Lawerence Denney, of Midvale, was elected speaker of the Idaho House on Wednesday night after a close-fought race with moderate Rep. Bill Deal, of Nampa.

Meanwhile, Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake, lost his own leadership bid for assistant majority leader in the House to eastern Idaho Rep. Scott Bedke, R-Oakley. But one North Idaho legislator is in legislative leadership: Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d’Alene, was re-elected as the House assistant minority leader in a three-way contest.

“I’m pleased to be re-elected, and I look forward to working with our caucus,” Sayler said. “With our increased membership in the caucus this year, I think I can be a little more effective.”

Democrats picked up six seats in the House in the November election but still are substantially outnumbered by Republicans in both houses.

Clark emerged from the closed GOP caucus meeting cheerful and said, “You win some, you lose some. Scott’s a great guy – he’ll do a wonderful job.”

Denney, a farmer who’s starting his sixth term in the House, was a key backer of the anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment that passed the Legislature this year and then won voter approval.

“Maintaining a conservative philosophy – I think that’s what we saw here tonight,” said Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover. “I think it’s good.”

Both Denney and Deal declined to comment after the vote.

New House Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts, R-Donnelly, who ran unopposed for that position, said, “Bill Deal was very gracious in giving his support to Lawerence.”

Rep. Marge Chadderdon, R-Coeur d’Alene, said, “I’m proud of ‘em all. It was very civil.”

House Republicans gathered behind closed doors for three hours at the state-owned Borah Post Office building, where they enjoyed a catered prime rib dinner and then heard nominating speeches and took secret-ballot votes. The vote counts were kept secret.

House Democrats held their leadership vote a few blocks away at a downtown restaurant. Senate Republicans reported no leadership changes; Senate Democrats still were meeting at press time.

The House speaker position hasn’t been open for the past eight years, as Rep. Bruce Newcomb, R-Burley, became the longest-serving House speaker in state history. Newcomb is retiring after 10 terms. The position is a key one, including the ability to determine chairmanships and committee assignments.

Clark said he decided to try for a leadership post because after five terms – 10 years – he’d accomplished “just about everything I wanted to accomplish legislatively,” and he wanted to explore leadership. While campaigning, he traveled the state, visiting fellow lawmakers in their home districts. “I’ve learned an awful lot about Idaho in a very short time,” he said.

Chadderdon praised the GOP leadership candidates for remaining “gentlemen,” then added wistfully, “I can say ‘gentlemen.’ We don’t have a lady this year.”

Former Majority Caucus Chairwoman Julie Ellsworth, R-Boise, lost to a Democrat in last month’s election.

House Minority Leader Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, retained her post unopposed, while Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, defeated Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart, D-Boise, to be minority caucus chairman.

Sayler said he’s glad his win keeps a Panhandle lawmaker in legislative leadership. “I’m pleased to be there in that position,” he said. “We’re anxious for the session to begin to tackle the real work.”

Lawmakers will convene for their regular legislative session on Jan. 8.