When accountability is sidelined in favor of extreme ideology, democracy suffers. This month, incoming Republican legislators elected new leadership that shifts significant power to the far-right. This has troubling implications for the upcoming session and the future of our state.

The new balance of power within House Republican leadership is especially alarming. Before Rep. Megan Blanskma was ousted during the last Legislature, House leadership was evenly split between supporters and opponents of LAUNCH scholarships. Supporters tend to be traditional Republicans who recognize the opportunity to invest in a skilled workforce of nurses, welders, and other in-demand professionals. Opponents embrace far-right ideology. Now, all four Republican House leaders oppose LAUNCH.

Who are these new leaders? Josh Tanner is the new House Assistant Majority Leader. In his one term, he pushed for deep cuts to Medicaid and proudly shut down a modest adolescent pregnancy prevention program that cost taxpayers nothing. Jaron Crane, the new House Majority Caucus Chair, sponsored the law that gave book banners control over our libraries, causing small rural libraries to close their doors to children. Crane’s promotion consolidates power within one family, with his brother chairing the House State Affairs Committee.

This lurch to the right trickles down to committee chair assignments. Rep. Doug Pickett, the new chair of the education committee, opposes LAUNCH, supports voucher schemes, has no education experience, and hasn’t even served on the committee. He replaces Rep. Julie Yamamoto, a long-time educator and principal who voted for LAUNCH and supported investing in our public schools over vouchers.

In the Senate, leadership has shifted from traditional Republicans to an even split with the far-right. New committee chair appointments reflect this far-right power grab. Tammy Nichols, now chairing Senate Agricultural Affairs, has shown greater interest in stoking culture wars and conspiracy theories than bolstering agriculture and rural economies. Dan Foreman now chairs the Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee, which oversees employment policies affecting working Idahoans. Foreman infamously harassed college students and leveled racist remarks at a candidate from the Nez Perce Tribe.

Another concerning change is the expanded House Health and Welfare Committee, which has seen Democratic representation reduced and far-right newcomers added. The committee is now packed with those eager to dismantle Medicaid expansion. They will likely try to strip thousands of Idahoans of health care access, putting them back in the coverage gap and defying the will of the voters who overwhelmingly oppose such a move.

The upcoming legislative session will test whether we allow these shifts to dictate the state’s trajectory or whether we rise to meet this challenge. It’s time for Idahoans to get involved and ensure that the voices of extremism do not drown out the values of the people.

Onward,

-- Lauren Necochea
Idaho Democratic Party Chair.