Scott Conrad Bedke (born April 27, 1958) is an American politician serving as the 44th lieutenant governor of Idaho since 2023. A Republican, he served as a member of the Idaho House of Representatives for the 27A district. In December 2012, Bedke defeated fellow Republican Lawerence Denney to become speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives.
Early life and education Bedke was born in Twin Falls, Idaho. He graduated from Oakley High School and from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in finance. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Italy from 1977 to 1979.
Career When long-time legislator Jim Kempton resigned his seat for an appointment to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, Legislative District 25 Central Committee met to fill the vacancy in House Seat A, sending three names in order of preference to Governor Dirk Kempthorne: Bedke, Garry Turner of Burley, and ODeen Redman of Albion. Governor Kempthore appointed Bedke to serve the remainder of Kempton's term.
After redistricting in 2002, Bedke was challenged in the Republican primary by Tim Willie and in the general election by Dan Ralphs, both of whom he defeated. Bedke was challenged in the 2004 Republican primary by Wayne Bagwell, whom he also defeated, and ran unopposed in every election since.
From 2022–23, he served as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures alongside Robin Vos.
Committees Prior to being elected as speaker in 2012, Bedke served on the following House Committees: Joint Finance & Appropriations Committee Revenue & Taxation Committee Resources & Conservation Committee Transportation & Defense Committee Chair Economic Outlook & Revenue Assessment Committee Credit Rating Enhancement Committee
2022 lieutenant governor campaign
On May 17, 2022, Bedke won the Republican nomination in the statewide primary for the 2022 Idaho lieutenant gubernatorial election. He defeated Priscilla Giddings and Daniel Gasiorowski in the primary election and then defeated Democrat Terri Pickens Manweiler in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Elections + District 27 House Seat A - Cassia, Oneida, and Power Counties and part of Bingham CountyYearCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPct2002 Primary3,80473.2%3,80426.8%2002 General6,76865.8%3,52134.2%2004 Primary3,18867.36%1,54532.64%2004 General 11,215100%00.00%2006 Primary 4,528100%00.00%2006 General 8,801100%00.00%2008 Primary 4,393100%00.00%2008 General 11,736100%00.00%2010 Primary 5,363100%00.00%2010 General 8,801100%00.00%
+ District 27 House Seat A - Cassia and Minidoka CountiesYearCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPct2012 Primary5,924100%00.00%2012 General13,197100%00.00%2014 Primary4,964100%00.00%2014 General8,748100%00.00%2016 Primary4,631100%00.00%2016 General13,181100%00.00%2018 Primary4,631100%00.00%2018 General13,181100%00.00%2020 Primary4,631100%00.00%2020 General13,181100%00.00%
+ 2022 Idaho lieutenant gubernatorial election YearCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPct2022 Primary139,57351.7%114,82242.5%
Personal life Bedke is married and has four children and sixteen grandchildren. He grew up in Oakley, Idaho.Davlin, Melissa Mr. Speaker: Scott Bedke Reflects on Legislative Session Magicvalley.com
References
External links Campaign site