John McGee (politician)

John McGee (born January 27, 1973) is a former Republican member of the Idaho Senate, representing the 10th District from 2004–2012. He served as the Majority Caucus Chairman.

John McGee
Member of the Idaho Senate
from District 10
In office
December 1, 2004 – February 22, 2012
Preceded byRon McWilliams
Succeeded byJim Rice
Personal details
Born (1973-01-27) January 27, 1973
Nampa, Idaho
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Hanna McGee

Early life and career

John McGee is a lifelong resident of Caldwell, ID. He graduated from Vallivue High School (Falcon Pride!) in 1991 and received a BA in History from the College of Idaho in 1995. He was elected student body president at both institutions. McGee and his wife, Hanna, have been married since 2005 and live in Caldwell with their daughter Madalyn and son, Maxwell. McGee served the citizens of Caldwell, Greenleaf and Wilder of District 10 in the Idaho State Legislature. He was first elected in 2004 when he beat an incumbent senator in the Republican primary election and ran unopposed in the general election. He was named 2006 Idaho State Republican Legislator of the Year. John McGee resigned from the Idaho State Senate on February 22, 2012.

McGee was elected as the Chairman of the College of Idaho Board of Trustees in 2010.[1] He decided to take a leave of absence in August 2011.[2]

In 2019, after more than seven year out of the public eye[3], John McGee ran for an occupied city council seat in Caldwell, Idaho. In the three way race he defeated both the incumbent, Chuck Stadick and the other candidate, Evangeline Beechler. Local news declared it a triumphant victory for the home town hero, yet his opponent, Beechler decided to challenge the results, triggering a run-off election to be held on December 3rd, 2019.

Shortly after the run off was announced, former Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter, endorse McGee in the run-off.[4]. On December 3rd, 2019 McGee defeated Beechler in the run off with 2,072 votes, or 60.7% of the vote. It was noted by the media that the turn out in the run-off election was higher than that in the general election.

DUI

On June 19, 2011, McGee had been playing golf at the 2011 Hillcrest Invitational golf tournament and drank at the golf course that night. He later stole an SUV attached to a utility trailer, drove it through a residential neighborhood, and jack-knifed the truck and trailer in a resident's front yard. Ada County police officers arrested McGee for grand theft auto and driving under the influence. At the time of arrest his blood alcohol content was reported at a .15, compared to the legal limit in the state of .08.[5] On July 1, 2011, McGee pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI. The charges of felony theft and felony operation of a vehicle without consent were dropped. The court sentenced McGee to 180 days in jail, with all but five days suspended, serve three days community service and pay fines and restitution.[6][7]

On July 11, 2011, McGee, chairing a meeting of the Canyon County Republican Central Committee, created controversy when he cut off debate on a resolution calling for the investigation of the medical claims McGee raised as a defense to his criminal charges. McGee sent the resolution to an internal committee, which he also chairs, for review.[8] Several days later, on July 16, 2011, the Republican Central Committee for the State of Idaho approved a no-confidence motion on McGee.[9][10]

Sexual harassment

McGee was accused by a 25 year old staffer of locking her in his office and making graphic sexual overtures to her. She brought charges.[11]

On February 22, 2012, McGee, submitted his letter of resignation to the Idaho State Senate.[12]

On August 21, 2012, McGee pleaded guilty to probation violation and a disturbing the peace charge related to sexual harassment that occurred at the Idaho State Capital Building. Fourth District Magistrate James Cawthon sentenced McGee to 44 days in jail for disturbing the peace and 44 days for violating terms of his probation stemming from the 2011 drunken driving conviction.[13][14]

Committees

McGee served on the following committees:[15]

  • Local Government & Taxation Committee
  • State Affairs Committee
  • Transportation Committee

Organizations
  • Chairman of the Canyon County Republicans
  • Member of the Caldwell Rotary Club
  • Board of Directors of the 2009 International Special Olympics
  • Regional Substance Abuse Authority Legislative Committee

Awards

McGee has received:

  • Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Agriculture Educators
  • 2004 Canyon Co. Republican of the Year
  • Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of State Foresters
  • Idaho Agricultural All Star Award (2005–2009)
  • COMPASS Leadership in Motion Award
  • 2009 Transportation Leader of the Year from Treasure Valley Women in Transportation
  • Friend of Community Healthcare Centers by the Idaho Primary Care Association
  • 2006 Idaho State Republican Legislator of the Year
  • 2006 Idaho Young Republican of the Year
  • Council of State Governments Toll Fellow in 2007
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References
  1. "McGee for Idaho". McGeeforIdaho.com. Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  2. Coffman, Mitch (August 5, 2011). "Sen. John McGee to take leave of absence from College of Idaho Board of Trustees". IdahoReporter.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  3. Malloy, Chuck. "John McGee makes life fixes where they count". Idaho State Journal. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  4. ebamer@idahopress.com, ERIN BAMER. "Former Idaho Gov. Butch Otter endorses John McGee in Caldwell runoff". Idaho State Journal. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  5. "State Sen. John McGee arrested for drunken driving, grand theft". Idaho Statesman. June 19, 2011. Archived from the original on June 23, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  6. "Sen. McGee Pleads Guilty". Idaho Statesman. July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  7. Mike Butts (August 22, 2012). "John McGee sentenced to 88 days in jail". idahopress.com.
  8. "Sen. John McGee stalls Canyon GOP inquiry". Idaho Statesman. July 12, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  9. "Idaho GOP approves no-confidence motion for McGee". Idaho Statesman. July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  10. "Idaho GOP approves no-confidence motion for McGee". idahopress.com. July 17, 2011.
  11. ADAM COTTERELL (August 22, 2012). "Judge Gives Former Idaho Senator Tougher Sentence Than Expected". boisestatepublicradio.org.
  12. "Idaho State Sen. John McGee Resigns". February 22, 2012. Archived from the original on March 3, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  13. "Judge comes down hard on John McGee". December 22, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  14. ERIN BAMER (September 6, 2019). "Disgraced former Sen. John McGee running for Caldwell City Council".
  15. Idaho State Legislature - Senate Membership Archived 2010-12-30 at the Wayback Machine
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