A Lobbyist & a Congressman’s Wife: Meet the People Who Choose Idaho’s Judges
The Governor has no say (not really).
Meet Regina McCrea…
She’s Governor Brad Little’s appointment as Kootenai County’s newest district judge, overseeing family court cases involving children’s welfare. She’s a trial attorney with over 20 years of experience, who served as a Community Library Network board trustee from 2016 to 2023.
But…
During that time, she resisted efforts to remove obscene/porno material from children’s library sections. And she was even endorsed by the Kootenai County Democrats for her trustee role!
Take a look:
Troubling, right?
So, why is our Republican Governor appointing her as a judge?!
Well… he’s not.
Not really.
Because a LOBBYIST and a Congressman's WIFE picked her - NOT the Governor.
Let me explain...
The Idaho Judicial Council is a cozy clique of elites who picks our judges, and it’s dripping with conflicts of interest. It currently consists of:
Hon. Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan (Boise), Ex-Officio Chairman, leading the charge.
Hon. Nancy A. Baskin (Boise), Vice-Chair, a district judge with a front-row seat.
Hon. Todd Garbett (Paris), another judge in the mix.
Keely E. Duke (Boise), attorney, appointed by the Governor.
John A. Bush (Boise), attorney, another Governor’s pick.
Jason B. Kreizenbeck (Boise), non-attorney and registered lobbyist with deep ties to Idaho’s power brokers (we've had more in the past).
Scott W. Madison (Boise), non-attorney
Kathy Simpson (Idaho Falls), non-attorney and wife of Congressman Mike Simpson (talk about insider access)!
Michael R. Kennedy (Coeur d’Alene), adjunct magistrate judge, chiming in when they’re disciplining or retiring magistrates.
THESE FOLKS PICK OUR JUDGES.
NOT THE GOVERNOR.
Then, after they pick the candidates, the council hands Governor Little three (ish) judge candidates, and he must pick one.
He has no veto, and no real choice.
And if all three are the council’s cronies, Idaho gets another insider judge.
Worse though, judges often retire early (way before their terms end) to create vacancies so the council can slide in their handpicked replacements and dodge public elections.
No voters, no accountability.
Just a rigged game where the “good old boys” club calls the shots.
The conflicts are blatant. With lobbyists and congressional spouses picking judges, how can Idahoans trust the courts to be fair? The Judicial Council is the gatekeeper, not the Governor.
The solution?
Abolish the Idaho Judicial Council
Demand elections for all judges unless extreme circumstances arise
Let regular Idahoans, not (lobbyists or congressmen’s wives) decide who delivers justice.
Until we do, this council will keep rigging the bench, laughing all the way to the courthouse.
Regarding one of your points, perhaps the legislature could prohibit judges appointed to replace those who do not complete their terms from running for re-election and from being re-elected.
Agree! Thank you. Senator Brian Lenney, for bringing these facts to our attention. How can we press t9 get this changed? Definitely need to find out how the current members are selected, then impact that.