Chuck Winder (born November 21, 1945) is an American politician and former Republican member of the Idaho Senate. He served as the president pro tempore of the Idaho Senate and as the majority leader. He is married to Dianne Winder; the couple has two children.
Winder was first elected to the Idaho Senate in 2008. In 2024 primary, Winder was defeated by conservative challenger Josh Keyser.
Early life, education, and career Winder joined the United States Navy where he served for four years on active duty as a naval aviator and for eight years on inactive reserve. He received a bachelor's degree in political science and pre-law from the College of Idaho.
Winder is a commercial real estate brokerage.
Political career He ran for the Republican nomination in 1994 for Governor of Idaho losing with 13.5% of the vote.
He is a former member of the Ada County Highway District Commission. He previously served on both the Boise City Design Review Committee and the Boise Planning and Zoning Commission.
In 2003, Winder ran for mayor of Boise, Idaho, but lost to David H. Bieter.
From 2005 through 2008, Winder was a co-chair of the Treasure Valley's Coalition for Regional Public Transportation. In 2008, the coalition merged with the statewide Moving Idaho Forward organization.
Winder serves as the president pro tempore of the Idaho Senate, and previously served as majority leader.
Winder lost the Republican nomination on May 21, 2024.
+ District 14 Senate - Part of Ada CountyYearCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPct2008 Primary2,71542.7%2,07632.6%1,32720.8%2473.9%2008 General27,253100%2010 Primary6,762100%2010 General20,674100% + District 20 Senate - Part of Ada CountyYearCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPct2012 Primary2,29055.5%2012 General12,30368.4%5,69531.6%2014 Primary2,642100%2014 General10,155100%2016 Primary2,000100%2016 General13,78767.9%6,52532.1% In the Republican Party presidential primaries, 2012 Winder supported Mitt Romney.
Organizations Lifetime member of United States Navy League Vice President of Ore-Ida Council, Boy Scouts of America, 4 years Boise Metro Economic Development Council Children's Home Society of Idaho. Junior Achievement of Idaho (former president) Co-chairman Treasure Valley Transit Coalition Board of Directors Jeker Family Trust Board of Directors Children's Home Society of Idaho Boise Chamber of Commerce Valley Initiative for Prosperity Co-founder and initial President, Joint School District #2, Education Foundation Idaho Coordinator for the National Prayer Breakfast Chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board, 11 years Co-chairman of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force Trustee at Albertson's College of Idaho, 12 years Bible Study Fellowship (Boise Evening Men's), 20+ years Boise City Planning & Zoning Commission, 3 years Boise City Design & Review Committee, 4 years Ada County Highway District Commission, 12.5 years Ada Planning Association, 12.5 years
References
External links Chuck Winder at Idaho Legislature Winder for Senate campaign website