BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Idaho House Republican Caucus has voted to oust Representative Megan Blanksma as Majority Leader.
In an unusual move, the Idaho House of representatives held a vote for House leadership mid-session. Each caucus traditionally choses leadership every two years during a specific organizational session. The vote was held in a closed door session Thursday.
The remaining members of the Majority leadership were retained, including Speaker Mike Moyle, who was retained by a unanimous vote. A vote to replace Blanksma as Majority Leader will be held on Monday.
In response to Thursdays ouster, Representative Blanksma sent us the following statement:
To say that I am disappointed by today’s outcome would be an understatement; however, I respect the process and accept the decision made by my colleagues in the House Republican Caucus.I am honored to have the trust of my constituents from District 8, and I am proud of the work that I have done and will continue to do as an elected state legislator for the people of Idaho. Idaho is my home. I am grateful to have grown up and to have raised my family here. I look forward to continuing to enjoy all Idaho has to offer.To know me is to know that I am extremely passionate about good policy and creating laws that enhance the lives of our citizens. In retrospect on today’s events, would I have done anything differently? No. I stand by my concerns over the new budgeting process by the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee.It is our responsibility as elected officials to be vocal and express apprehensions over critical policy that will have major impacts on our state. While I am no longer Majority Leader, tomorrow is a new day and I look forward to continuing to diligently work for District 8 and the people of Idaho. We have important legislation ahead of us and a lot of good work to still accomplish.According to Idaho Reports, Blanksma and Moyle have not always seen eye-to-eye. The two went in separate directions on the Idaho Launch bill last year, which Blanksma sponsored. Moyle has been outspoken in his opposition to the bill, which passed the House by one vote last year.
The two faced off again on Thursday as the House debated a maintenance budget for the judicial branch. According to Idaho Reports this is the first time the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has used maintenance budgets, which don’t include the agencies’ entire budget for the year. Blanksma was the only one in leadership to vote against the budget.
Moyle told members of the press, “We’re like a dysfunctional family right now, We got a little bit of tension.”
A statement from the Idaho House Republican Caucus after the vote the oust Blanksma, that the caucus appreciated her service and that she will continue to work with the caucus in the House to "Ensure our communities' best interests are our number one priority."
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