Malek opts against statewide run

Kevin Richert | 12/27/2013

LukeMalek2108 — State Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene

State Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, has decided against running for secretary of state.

“My passion for serving the state of Idaho is put to best use right now through focusing on my home district and on the issues important to my home, North Idaho,” Malek said in a statement, posted by Betsy Russell of the Spokane Spokesman-Review on her Eye on Boise blog.

Four other Republicans are already in the race to succeed retiring Secretary of State Ben Ysursa: state Rep. Lawerence Denney of Midvale; former legislator Evan Frasure of Pocatello; deputy Ada County clerk Phil McGrane; and former state Sen. Mitch Toryanski of Boise.

Boise Democratic Rep. Holli Woodings is also considering the race.

The secretary of state is Idaho’s chief elections officer. The secretary of state also holds one of five seats on the Idaho Land Board, which determines endowment policies that affect K-12 and a host of other beneficiaries; at $31.3 million annually, public schools receive the largest cut from the state lands endowment.

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 30 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinRichert. He can be reached at [email protected]