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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Legislators stick with incumbents for Idaho Statehouse leadership

Kimberlee Kruesi Associated Press

BOISE – Republican Sen. Todd Lakey ascended to Idaho’s Senate leadership Wednesday, winning a secret vote to fill the majority caucus chairman seat.

Lakey, who won his second term in the November election, beat out three rivals. The position came open with the departure of Majority Caucus Chairman Russ Fulcher, who unsuccessfully challenged Gov. Butch Otter in the May GOP primary election.

“I appreciate the confidence from my colleagues,” Lakey said. “Leadership is about service. I enjoy trying to do my best in making decisions for the state.”

Every two years, lawmakers gather in Boise before the legislative session begins to determine the leadership lineup. Typically, votes are cast the night before settling on legislative committee assignments. Because the meetings are behind closed doors, exact voting results aren’t released to the public or to the lawmakers who voted.

However, the event is considered crucial in determining what will or will not be accomplished over the next two years. For example, after House Speaker Scott Bedke ousted former Rep. Lawerence Denney from the top seat in 2012, Bedke then helped push through establishing a state-based health insurance exchange in 2013. Denney had previously rebuffed most attempts to pass a state-based exchange.

On Wednesday, Senate Republicans stuck with existing leaders. This included keeping Brent Hill as president pro tem and Bart Davis as majority leader.

In the House, Bedke and Majority Leader Mike Moyle were unopposed.

Republican Rep. Brent Crane will continue to serve as one of Idaho’s House leaders, despite facing rival Rep. Rick Youngblood for the assistant majority leadership spot.

House Majority Caucus Chairman John Vander Woude also kept his seat for another term after being challenged by Rep. Janet Trujillo of Idaho Falls.

Democratic leadership in the House and Senate also remained the same Wednesday.

Rep. Mat Erpelding will be the only new face among Idaho’s Democratic leaders. The Boise lawmaker ran unopposed for the open assistant minority leader spot after Grant Burgoyne was elected to the Senate during the November election.

Freshly elected Rep. Ilana Rubel of Boise failed to eject Minority Caucus Chairwoman Donna Pence of Gooding from her seat.