An Idaho political heavyweight is throwing his hat into the ring to be the state’s next lieutenant governor.
House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, announced Thursday morning in Boise that he’s running for the post currently held by Republican Janice McGeachin, who has already announced that she’s running against Republican Gov. Brad Little in 2022 for the state’s top political post.
“Bureaucrats in Washington, DC are launching an assault on Idaho’s way of life,” said Bedke, the longest serving House Speaker in state history, in a press release announcing his candidacy. “I promise to defend against that incursion by bringing my values of family, faith, and hard work to the Office of Lieutenant Governor. As a proud constitutional conservative, I will continue to fight for cutting taxes, eliminating red tape, and making the right investments in education and transportation.”×
Bedke has already attracted the support of Idaho political icon C.L. “Butch” Otter, who has agreed to chair his campaign.
Otter, a former congressman who served as Idaho’s governor and lieutenant governor, said, “Scott Bedke is the fierce defender that the people of Idaho need to ensure big government stays out of our lives, schools, and churches. He’s a trusted and experienced leader who gets results and will never back down from an intrusive federal regime.”
The field of candidates running for the lieutenant governor post in 2022 already includes state Rep. Priscilla Giddings, R-White Bird, and former state Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, and more are expected.
Bedke says his extensive experience helping to lead the Idaho Legislature is one of the differences between him and the other candidates.
“I’m a pro-life, pro-gun and a limited government constitutional conservative,” Bedke said during his Thursday morning speech. “As lieutenant governor, I’d bring everything that I’ve learned serving in the People’s House to the executive branch of Idaho’s government. I’m the only candidate in this race who has tested and trusted experience to get things done for Idaho.”
Bedke graduated from Oakley High School, runs his family’s longtime cattle ranch and has four children with his wife Sarah as well as 14 grandchildren. He’s a former Oakley City Council member who was first elected to the Idaho House of Representatives in 2000 and is now in his 11th term serving the residents of Cassia and Minidoka counties.
He was first elected as Speaker of the House in 2012 by his fellow Idaho House lawmakers.
Bedke said during his speech, “I come from a legacy of hard work, of never quitting until the job is done, where the phrase, ‘bring a lunch and a flashlight, we’ll be out until we’re finished’ was commonly used. This is the legacy I will bring to the Office of Lieutenant Governor.”
Bedke’s Thursday morning press release about his bid for lieutenant governor stated, “In his time as Speaker of the House, Bedke has guided conservative budgeting that’s helped Idaho become one of the top state economies in the country. Just this year, under Bedke’s leadership, the Idaho Legislature passed the single largest tax cut in state history, a comprehensive plan to improve our roads and bridges, and smart investments in education. Speaker Bedke has also led the way in protecting Idahoans’ Constitutional rights, especially the 2nd amendment, and settled long-standing water disputes.”
Bedke said, “In my two decades serving Idahoans, I have never forgotten who I work for. With your support, when I’m elected lieutenant governor, I will continue to lead with purpose and defend our state’s future.”
Read the full story in the Idaho State Journal