Melinda Smyser
Melinda Smyser was the Idaho director of labor from 2017 to 2019. She was appointed to the position by Governor Butch Otter (R) on September 29, 2017, effective October 23, 2017, to succeed former officeholder Ken Edmunds.
Smyser is a former Republican member of the Idaho State Senate, representing District 11 from January 2009 to 2012. She was appointed in January 2009 to fill the vacancy left when Brad Little became the state's lieutenant governor.[1]
Biography
In her early career, Smyser worked as a teacher and as a school counselor. She formerly served as a school district trustee and as a coordinator for the Safe and Drug-Free School program. She obtained a master’s degree in education from the College of Idaho.[2]
In 2008, Smyser was named “Canyon County Republican of the Year.” In April 2009, Smyser offered the following description of her attitude toward serving in the state Senate: "Set the budget, get your work done and go home."[2][3]
Following her tenure in the state Senate, Smyser worked as the southwest Idaho regional director for U.S. Senator Jim Risch. She managed Risch's 2014 re-election campaign.[4][5]
Bildung
- Bachelor's degree, University of Idaho
- Master's degree, education, College of Idaho
Political career
Idaho Director of Labor (2017-2019)
Idaho Governor Butch Otter (R) appointed Smyser to serve as the Idaho director of labor on September 29, 2017, effective October 23, 2017.[4] She served in this position until 2019.
Idaho State Senate (2009-2012)
Smyser is a former Republican member of the Idaho State Senate, representing District 11 from January 2009 to 2012.
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Smyser served on these committees:
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Smyser served on these committees:
Elections
2012
- See also: Idaho State Senate elections, 2012
Redistricting placed District 13 incumbent Patti Anne Lodge (R) into District 11 with Smyser, leading to a potential 2012 faceoff between the two.[7] Smyser chose not to seek re-election.
2010
- See also: Idaho State Senate elections, 2010
Smyser had no opposition in the May 25 primary. She ran against Democratic candidate, Shannon L. Forrester, and Independent candidate, Kirsten Faith Richardson in the general election on November 2, 2010.
Smyser won her re-election race against Democrat Shannon L. Forrester and Independent Kirsten Faith Richardson.[8]
| Idaho State Senate, District 11 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
 Melinda Smyser (R)
|
10,386 | 73.3% | ||
| Shannon Forrester (D) | 2,822 | 19.9% | ||
| Kirsten Faith Richardson (I) | 959 | 6.8% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Republican Brad Little won re-election to the Idaho State Senate District 11 receiving 14,870 votes, ahead of Independent Kirsten Faith Richardson(4,309). In January 2009, Little became the Lieutenant Governor and Melinda Smyser was appointed to take his place.[9]
| Idaho State Senate, District 11 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Brad Little (R) | 14,870 | 77.5% | ||
| Kirsten Faith Richardson (Independent) | 4,309 | 22.5% | ||
Appointments
2017
Idaho Governor Butch Otter (R) appointed Smyser to serve as the Idaho director of labor on September 29, 2017, effective October 23, 2017.[4]
Campaign finance summary
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
When she served in the state government, Melinda was married to Skip Smyser, an attorney and lobbyist who served in the state Senate from 1983-1990.[2] They lived in Parma, Idaho, and had four children.
See also
| Idaho | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Idaho Department of Labor
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
Footnotes
- ↑ Press release of Butch Otter announcing Smyser's appointment
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Spokane Spokesman, "Melinda Smyser appointed to Senate," January 17, 2009
- ↑ Idaho Statesman, "First-time lawmaker urges action," April 5, 2009
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 U.S> News & World Report, "Idaho Governor Appoints New Labor Director," September 29, 2017
- ↑ Idaho Press-Tribune, "Melinda Smyser appointed Idaho Labor director," September 29, 2017
- ↑ Idaho Senate, Members of Idaho senate standing committees
- ↑ The Republic, "Idaho redistricting panel adopts legislative map, plans to meet Monday on congressional plan," October 14, 2011
- ↑ Idaho Reporter, "GOP gain in Idaho House could trigger policy changes," November 3, 2010
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Idaho Senate official election results for 2008," November 4, 2008
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ken Edmunds |
Idaho Director of Labor 2017–2019 |
Succeeded by Jani Revier |
| Preceded by - |
Idaho Senate District 11 2009–2012 |
Succeeded by Patti Anne Lodge (R) |
| ||||||||||||||
