By Ruth Brown, Idaho Reports
The Idaho House of Representatives elected Rep. Jason Monks, R-Meridian, as the new House Majority Leader on Monday. The vote came in a closed-door caucus meeting of the House Republican members.
The leadership vote came after an unusual move on Thursday when the House Republican Caucus voted to oust former Majority Leader Rep. Megan Blanksma, R-Hammett.
“I am humbled and grateful to have received the vote of my colleagues to serve as the Majority Leader of the Idaho House of Representatives,” Monks said in a caucus news release Monday. “Public service is both a privilege and responsibility. I am dedicated to continuing the work of the passing of good policy for the State of Idaho.”
Monks, who is in his sixth term, previously served as assistant majority leader in the House and unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Mike Moyle, R-Star, for the House Speaker position in 2022.
“It’s sometimes awfully scary, because they’re expecting you to go out there and represent them,” Monks told Idaho Reports after the floor session. “We have 59 different opinions in this body, and that’s sometimes difficult to make sure that you’re representing everybody at the same time.”
Monks is currently chairman of House Revenue and Taxation Committee. Members of caucus leadership do not typically serve as committee chairs, who in the House are appointed by the Speaker.
Moyle was not immediately available for comment.
Logan Finney 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.