John McGee is a former Republican member of the Idaho Senate, representing the 10th District from 2004–2012. He served as the Majority Caucus Chairman.
Early life and career
John McGee is a lifelong resident of Caldwell, ID. He graduated from Vallivue High School in 1991 and received a BA in History from the College of Idaho in 1995. He was elected student body president at both institutions. McGee and his wife, Hanna, have been married since 2005 and live in Caldwell with their daughter Madalyn and son, Maxwell. McGee served the citizens of Caldwell, Greenleaf and Wilder of District 10 in the Idaho State Legislature. He was first elected in 2004 when he beat an incumbent senator in the Republican primary election and ran unopposed in the general election. He was named 2006 Idaho State Republican Legislator of the Year. John McGee resigned from the Idaho State Senate on February 22, 2012. McGee was elected as the Chairman of the College of Idaho Board of Trustees in 2010. He decided to take a leave of absence in August 2011. In 2019, after more than seven year out of the public eye, John McGee ran for an occupied city council seat in Caldwell, Idaho. In the three way race he defeated both the incumbent, Chuck Stadick and the other candidate, Evangeline Beechler. Local news declared it a triumphant victory for the home town hero, yet his opponent, Beechler decided to challenge the results, triggering a run-off election to be held on December 3rd, 2019. Shortly after the run off was announced, former Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter, endorse McGee in the run-off.. On December 3rd, 2019 McGee defeated Beechler in the run off with 2,072 votes, or 60.7% of the vote. It was noted by the media that the turn out in the run-off election was higher than that in the general election.
Legal issues
DUI
On June 19, 2011, McGee had been playing golf at the 2011 Hillcrest Invitational golf tournament and drank at the golf course that night. He later stole an SUV attached to a utility trailer, drove it through a residential neighborhood, and jack-knifed the truck and trailer in a resident's front yard. Ada County police officers arrested McGee for grand theft auto and driving under the influence. At the time of arrest his blood alcohol content was reported at a.15, compared to the legal limit in the state of.08. On July 1, 2011, McGee pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI. The charges of felony theft and felony operation of a vehicle without consent were dropped. The court sentenced McGee to 180 days in jail, with all but five days suspended, serve three days community service and pay fines and restitution. On July 11, 2011, McGee, chairing a meeting of the Canyon County Republican Central Committee, created controversy when he cut off debate on a resolution calling for the investigation of the medical claims McGee raised as a defense to his criminal charges. McGee sent the resolution to an internal committee, which he also chairs, for review. Several days later, on July 16, 2011, the Republican Central Committee for the State of Idaho approved a no-confidence motion on McGee.
Sexual harassment
McGee was accused by a 25 year old staffer of locking her in his office and making graphic sexual overtures to her. She brought charges. On February 22, 2012, McGee, submitted his letter of resignation to the Idaho State Senate. On August 21, 2012, McGee pleaded guilty to probation violation and a disturbing the peace charge related to sexual harassment that occurred at the Idaho State Capital Building. Fourth District Magistrate James Cawthon sentenced McGee to 44 days in jail for disturbing the peace and 44 days for violating terms of his probation stemming from the 2011 drunken driving conviction.
