Beck Hopes Rival Otter Will Pick Him

GOP activist and former Senate Majority Leader Rod Beck, R-Boise, tops the list of three nominees to replace former Rep. Mark Patterson, R-Boise, reports Idaho Statesman columnist Dan Popkey. Beck, who served in the Senate in the ‘80s and ‘90s, has clashed with Gov. Butch Otter – who will make the appointment – over such notable issues as Beck’s push for a closed GOP primary election and his leading of the successful effort in 2008 to oust Kirk Sullivan, Otter’s choice for Idaho Republican Party chairman. “I’ve had some political differences with the governor over the years, but never a personal issue,” Beck told Popkey today/ Betsy Russell , Eye on Boise. More here.

Other stories by Eye on Boise today:

• Senate, House adjourn until Monday
• Idaho exchange enrollment swells
• Wasden files motion to dismiss same-sex court challenge
• Proposal would expand UI law school in Boise to 2nd year
• JFAC accepts revenue report, pays state firefighting bills
• Senate panel introduces measure to honor Idaho’s longest-serving judge

Question: Would you want the man who helped engineer the Idaho GOP’s closed primary serving in the Idaho House of Representatives?