Lawmakers Vie to Lead Idaho Legislature

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Republican Rep. Greg Chaney says he is challenging House Majority Caucus Chairman John Vander Woude for his legislative leadership position.

Chaney said Friday that he was approached earlier this year to run for the leadership seat, but declined to name who asked him to run. Every two years, lawmakers gather in Boise before the legislative session begins to determine the leadership lineup. Typically, votes are cast the night before settling on legislative committee assignments in December.

Because the meetings are behind closed doors, exact voting results aren't released to the public or to the lawmakers who voted. Chaney, of Caldwell, added that he believes it will be a close vote between him and Vander Woude, a Republican from Nampa. Meanwhile, House Speaker Scott Bedke and House Majority Leader Mike Moyle currently remain unopposed.