Indoctrination task force member dies of COVID

Pete Coulson speaks during the June 24 education task force meeting. Nik Streng/Idaho Education News

Pete Coulson, a member of Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin’s education indoctrination task force, recently died from COVID-19, conservative talk radio host Bill Colley reported Thursday.

After at least three weeks of hospitalization, during which his oxygen levels were depleted, Coulson died sometime between Oct. 1 and Wednesday, according to Colley’s report.

“Pete was a very healthy 67. He would tell people he was vaccinated in Christ. He didn’t fear death,” Colley wrote.

Coulson joined the task force in June, replacing Idaho School Boards Association President Jason Knopp, who withdrew from the group that targeted alleged leftist teachings in public schools over four summer meetings.

Coulson, a coach and counselor for children, also spoke at some of McGeachin’s gubernatorial campaign events as she announced she’d enter the 2022 Republican primary.

McGeachin did not have any details on Coulson’s death as of Thursday, her chief of staff Jordan Watters said.

“I am deeply saddened at the loss of Pete Coulson, as I’m sure everyone in (the) Treasure Valley is,” McGeachin wrote in a prepared statement Thursday. “He was loved by everyone who knew him, and he will be greatly missed. I’m praying for his family.”

Blake Jones

Blake Jones

Reporter Blake Jones covers the politics and policy of Idaho's K-12 public school system. He's a lifelong Idahoan, and holds degrees in Creative Writing and Political Economy from the College of Idaho. Follow Blake on Twitter @jonesblakej. He can be reached by email at [email protected].

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