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Heather Scott

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Heather Scott
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 1, 2014
Serving with Dale Hawkins
Preceded byEric Anderson
Constituency1st district Seat A (2014–2022)
2nd district Seat A (2022–present)
Personal details
BornOhio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAndrew
Residence(s)Blanchard, Idaho, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Akron (BS)
WebsiteOfficial website

Heather Scott is an American biologist, businesswoman, and politician serving as a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives from the 1st district. She has been a member of the Idaho House since 2014. She is part of the far-right faction of the Idaho Republican Party.[1][2][3][4]

Early life and education

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Born in Ohio, Scott earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Akron.[5]

Career

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She was employed in the field of fisheries and aquatic biology for over 15 years related to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission re-licensing and operations of hydroelectric facilities.[5]

Idaho House of Representatives

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In 2015 Scott is reported to have cut wires which were part of the fire-suppression system in her office. Scott believed at the time that the wires were in fact listening devices planted to spy on her. The wire-cutting incident was witnessed by other Idaho House members.[6]

In August 2017, Scott defended white nationalism on her Facebook page, writing: "The way the media has set this up, the mention of white nationalist, which is no more than a Caucasian who (sic) for the Constitution and making America great again, and confusing it with term, 'white supremacist' which is extreme racism. Therefore, if one is 'guilty' of being white, one is clearly racist."[7][8]

At the start of the 2017 legislative session, Scott reportedly made a remark to fellow state representative Judy Boyle, upon learning of her appointment to the state legislature's agriculture committee. The reported comment was that female lawmakers obtain ranking committee appointments and other leadership positions only if they "spread their legs." The alleged comment received widespread rebuke from other state lawmakers.[9]

In the 2019 legislative session, Scott sponsored a bill that would have required Idaho's Child Protective Services to mirandize parents before assessing them or their children. After passing the House, the bill was held in committee in the Senate.[10]

In 2019, it was reported that Scott was a member of the Coalition of Western States (COWS), a group founded by Washington state representative Matt Shea that has been accused of involvement in domestic terrorism.[11]

In April 2020, she dismissed the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming the virus was trying to kill the U.S. Constitution[12] and "The lying, Trump-hating media who continues to push global and socialist agendas has told us that there is an emergency."[1]

In an April 2021 debate on the House floor, Scott claimed the book To Kill a Mockingbird was an example of critical race theory in schools.[13]

In 2021, Scott sought a copy of the police report accusing fellow state Republican Aaron von Ehlinger of rape and asked the victim's legal representative how a person who files a false police report alleging sexual assault could be charged with a crime.[14]

Scott spoke against a bill in 2023 that would have provided tampons and pads in girls' public school bathrooms in middle and high school, calling it a "very liberal policy" and asking "Why are our schools obsessed with the private parts of our children?" The bill failed.[15]

Elections

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In 2020, Scott ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[16] She defeated Gail Bolin in the general election with 68.0 percent of the vote.[17]

In 2018, Scott defeated Mike Boeck in the Republican primary.[18] She supported Congressman Raul Labrador for governor in the May 2018 Republican primary.[19]

In 2016, Scott ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[20] She defeated Kate McAlister with 62.54% of the vote.[21] She supported Ted Cruz in the Republican Party presidential primaries, 2016.[22][23]

In 2014, Scott defeated Stephen T. Snedden in the Republican primary, winning with 63.8% of the vote.[24] She defeated Laura Bry in the general election with 66.1% of the vote.[25]

In 2024, Scott is running unopposed in the Republican primary. Democrat Loree Peery is running against Scott in the general election. Peery decided to run after Scott introduced a bill expanding an anti-cannibalism law in response to a prank video.[26]

References

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  1. ^ a b Siegler, Kirk (April 13, 2020). "In Idaho, Far-Right Republicans Defy Coronavirus Health Restrictions". NPR. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  2. ^ Walters, Daniel (May 16, 2022). "They're with her: Janice McGeachin and the rise of women on the Idaho far-right". Inlander. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Dawson, James (October 24, 2022). "Should Idaho lawmakers have a say over special sessions?". Boise State Public Radio. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  4. ^ Moseley-Morris, Kelcie (April 6, 2022). "Idaho House candidates pull in $1.2 million in fundraising". Idaho Capital Sun. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Rep. Heather Scott". Idaho State Legislature. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  6. ^ Russell, Betsy Z. (January 17, 2017). "Two lawmakers say they saw Rep. Scott remove what she feared was a listening device". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  7. ^ Russell, Betsy Z. (August 16, 2017). "North Idaho Rep. Heather Scott defends white nationalists in Facebook post". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  8. ^ Malone, Mary (August 23, 2017). "Heather Scott defends statements on white nationalism". Coeur d'Alene Press. Archived from the original on September 3, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  9. ^ Dentzer, Bill (January 11, 2017). "Idaho lawmaker under fire for saying female colleagues advance via sexual favors". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  10. ^ Brown, Nathan (March 18, 2019). "Senate committee holds Scott's CPS notification bill". Idaho Press. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  11. ^ Camden, Jim; Sokol, Chad (December 19, 2019). "Rep. Matt Shea expelled from GOP caucus after investigation finds he engaged in domestic terrorism". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  12. ^ Nichols, Dave (April 3, 2020). "North Idaho state Rep. Heather Scott pushes back against Gov. Little's stay-at-home order". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  13. ^ Holmes, Brian (April 22, 2021). "Idaho lawmaker cites 'To Kill A Mockingbird' as proof of critical race theory in schools". KTVB. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  14. ^ Boone, Rebecca (May 4, 2021). "Idaho intern reported rape, faced 'overwhelming' harassment". AP NEWS. Associated Press. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  15. ^ Robertson, Nick (March 24, 2023). "Idaho Republicans block 'woke' free tampons in schools proposal". The Hill.
  16. ^ "Heather Scott (Idaho)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  17. ^ "Idaho State House - Position 1A Election Results". USA Today. November 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  18. ^ Russell, Betsy Z. (May 5, 2017). "North Idaho Rep. Heather Scott draws GOP challenger for next election". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  19. ^ Malloy, Chuck (August 20, 2017). "Labrador offers the best hope to the GOP 'right'". Idaho State Journal. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "Legislative Totals". www.sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  21. ^ "Legislative Totals". www.sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  22. ^ "Ted Cruz: Press Release - Cruz for President Announces Expanded Idaho Leadership Team". www.presidency.ucsb.edu. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  23. ^ Davlin, Melissa; Ogilvie, Seth (March 8, 2016). "Two rallies, two different messages, two reporters' thoughts". Idaho Reports. Idaho Public Television. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  24. ^ "Legislative Totals". www.sos.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  25. ^ "Legislative Totals". www.sos.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  26. ^ Crampton, Liz (April 17, 2024). "Combatting cannibalism and jailing librarians: Idaho Democrats see opportunity in extreme GOP agenda". Retrieved April 17, 2024.
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