Idaho’s 2020 Legislative Election Wraps with Republican Gains

Posted by Ben Shuey on November 4, 2020

After registering its millionth voter, and with a record numbers of ballots cast, the 2020 Election in Idaho was very busy. The outcome was similar to what we’ve seen in past years. Idaho Republicans maintained their stronghold on all statewide elected seats, including the four Congressional Seats.  Congressmen Mike Simpson (R – ID) and Russ Fulcher (R – ID) both were successful in their re-election bids. Simpson returns for his 12^th term and Fulcher prepares to kick-off his second term.

As Idaho’s election-curious voters closed out the night and arose this morning, we saw the Idaho Legislature extending its majority for Republicans in the Idaho House and maintaining the status quo in the Senate.  In the House, sixteen seats were truly in play in the 2020 general election, due to retirements, lost primary elections, and the unfortunate passing away of Representative Thyra Stevenson (R – Lewiston – 7) during the May primary.   In Eastern Idaho, former Representative Dustin Manwaring (R-Pocatello) won a rematch from the 2018 election with incumbent Representative Chris Abernathy (D – Pocatello – 29). We lost a credit union employee and insider, when business leader and election newcomer Codi Galloway (R – Boise) beat incumbent Representative Jake Ellis (D – Boise – 15) who was a former firefighter and employee of Boise Fire Credit Union.  The good news about this race is that Idaho credit union leaders interviewed Representative-Elect Galloway. She is a long-time credit union member and friend and will do a great job representing our positions in the Idaho Legislature.

The balance of power remains the same in the Idaho Senate with Republicans retaining twenty-nine (29) seats in comparison to the six (6) seats Democrats will continue to hold. As in the Idaho House, there were several open seats due to retirement; however, all six of those seats were filled by members of the same party affiliation.

With the general election over in the State of Idaho, the focus will shift to leadership elections and committee appointments in both the House and the Senate.  We expect to see a little bit of committee chair “musical chairs”, at least in the House, with the long-term Chairman of the powerful Revenue and Taxation Committee having retired at the end of the 2020 Legislative Session.  The House and the Senate will launch their organizational sessions in early December to elect leaders for the Majority and Minority, which will then lead to the Speaker of the House and the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate moving to select committee chairmen and committee members for the 2021 Legislative Session.

The NWCUA Advocacy Team will continue to reach out to many of these newly elected leaders to ensure they understand the structure and important role Idaho’s credit unions play in the lives of their Idaho members.  During these outreach opportunities, we will provide information, input and share our opinions on the outlook of future of legislation that will be taken up during the 2021 Legislative Session. If you have questions or want to take part in a specific meeting, please reach out to Ryan Fitzgerald, [email protected].

Posted in Advocacy on the Move.