By Ruth Brown, Idaho Reports
The House Republican caucus has voted to remove Rep. Megan Blanksma, R-Hammett, as majority leader on Thursday.
The vote came during a closed-door Republican caucus meeting after an unusual move on Thursday morning, during which the Idaho House of Representatives voted unanimously to retain House Speaker Mike Moyle with little discussion.
Rep. Joe Palmer, R-Meridian, made the motion to retain Moyle, and Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, supported the motion.
It’s unprecedented to see party leadership change during a session. Each caucus selects its leadership during an organizational session held once every two years.
“It is a sad day for Idaho when we’ve come to this point,” said Rep. Dan Garner, R-Clifton, prior to the vote to retain Moyle. “We should be doing the business of Idaho.”
After the caucus meeting, Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, was seen carrying a ballot box out of the caucus room. Blanksma left the House floor before adjournment.
“On behalf of my fellow legislators, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for Rep. Blanksma’s time as our Majority Leader,” said Rep. Dustin Manwaring in a news release. “Rep. Blanksma is very passionate about the betterment of Idaho and will continue to bring forth important policy for her constituents. Please be assured that the House Republican Caucus is still focused on the needs and concerns of the people of Idaho. We will continue to work collectively to ensure our communities’ best interests are our number one priority.”
After the vote, Moyle did not specify what the caucus members discussed.
“The Caucus has some contentious issues to address,” Moyle told members of the press after the House adjourned.
The House Republican Caucus will pick a new majority leader on Monday.
“We’re like a dysfunctional family right now,” Moyle said. “We got a little bit of tension.”
The move comes after a lengthy debate in the House on Wednesday over a maintenance budget for the judicial branch, that only passed in a 38-31 vote. This is the first year the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has used maintenance budgets, which don’t include the agencies’ entire budget requests for the coming year. Some legislators argued the process lacks transparency and could have unintended consequences.
Blanksma was the only member of the majority leadership team who voted against the budget.
“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,” Blanksma told Idaho Reports in a written statement. “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.”
“It is our responsibility as elected officials to be vocal and express apprehensions over critical policy that will have major impacts on our state,” Blanksma wrote. “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.”
Moyle and Blanksma haven’t always seen eye-to-eye on important legislation. She sponsored the Idaho Launch bill last year, which Moyle voted against. He has since spoken publicly about his opposition to the program. That bill passed the House by just one vote last year.
A bill to fund the next round of Launch hasn’t yet been introduced in the House.
Moyle confirmed he plans to move forward with hearing budgets on the House floor on Friday.
Idaho Reports has reached out to Blanksma for comment.
Idaho Reports will have more about Blanksma’s ouster from House leadership on this week’s show. Idaho Reports airs Friday at 8 p.m. on Idaho Public Television, and is available online after it airs at idahoptv.org/idahoreports.
Melissa Davlin contributed to this report.
Ruth Brown | Producer
Ruth Brown grew up in South Dakota and her first job out of college was covering the South Dakota Legislature. She’s since moved on to Idaho lawmakers. Brown spent 10 years working in print journalism, including newspapers such as the Idaho Statesman and Idaho Press, where she’s covered everything from the correctional system to health care issues. She joined Idaho Reports in 2021 and looks forward to telling stories about how state policy can impact the lives of regular Idahoans.