John Peavey
Encyclopedia
John Peavey is a rancher and Democratic
politician from Carey
, Idaho
. Peavey served in the Idaho Senate
from 1969 to 1976 and from 1978 to 1994.
From a young age Peavey worked on the ranch founded by his grandfather, U.S. Senator
John W. Thomas
. In 1969 he succeeded his mother, Mary Brooks
in the Idaho Senate as a Republican
after she was appointed director of the United States Mint
by President Richard M. Nixon.
In 1974, after repeated attempts to pass a Sunshine Law; a law requiring lobbyists to register and political campaign disclosure, in the legislature were unsuccessful, Peavey led a successful state wide campaign to pass one by ballot initiative. The passage of the act angered state GOP party officials who recruited a Rupert
farmer to run against him in the 1976 Republican primary. When the opponent won, Peavey switched parties and ran as a Democrat
in 1978 and won back his seat. In the early and mid 1990s he served as the Idaho Senate Minority Caucus Chairman. As a state senator, Peavey was noted for rarely appearing in public without wearing a cowboy hat
.
In 1994 Peavey was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor
. He was defeated by the Republican incumbent Butch Otter, who was later elected governor in 2006
.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician from Carey
Carey, Idaho
Carey is a city in Blaine County, Idaho, United States. The population was 513 at the 2000 census. Carey is primarily an agricultural city and is the location of the Blaine County Fairgrounds. Nearby recreational destinations include the Craters of the Moon National Monument, Carey Lake, Silver...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. Peavey served in the Idaho Senate
Idaho Senate
The Idaho Senate is the upper chamber of the Idaho State Legislature. It consists of 35 Senators elected to two-year terms, each representing a district of the state. The Senate meets at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise, Idaho.-Composition of the Senate:...
from 1969 to 1976 and from 1978 to 1994.
From a young age Peavey worked on the ranch founded by his grandfather, U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
John W. Thomas
John W. Thomas
John W. Thomas was an American Politician. A Republican, he served on two occasions as a United States Senator from Idaho, both times appointed after his predecessor died in office.-Early life:...
. In 1969 he succeeded his mother, Mary Brooks
Mary Brooks
Mary Elizabeth Thomas Peavey Brooks directed the United States Mint from September 1969 to February 1977.Brooks was appointed by President Richard M. Nixon, the third woman named to the post...
in the Idaho Senate as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
after she was appointed director of the United States Mint
United States Mint
The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint was created by Congress with the Coinage Act of 1792, and placed within the Department of State...
by President Richard M. Nixon.
In 1974, after repeated attempts to pass a Sunshine Law; a law requiring lobbyists to register and political campaign disclosure, in the legislature were unsuccessful, Peavey led a successful state wide campaign to pass one by ballot initiative. The passage of the act angered state GOP party officials who recruited a Rupert
Rupert, Idaho
Rupert is the county seat and largest city of Minidoka County, Idaho, United States. It is part of the Burley, Idaho Micropolitan Statistical Area...
farmer to run against him in the 1976 Republican primary. When the opponent won, Peavey switched parties and ran as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in 1978 and won back his seat. In the early and mid 1990s he served as the Idaho Senate Minority Caucus Chairman. As a state senator, Peavey was noted for rarely appearing in public without wearing a cowboy hat
Cowboy hat
The cowboy hat is a high-crowned, wide-brimmed hat best known as the defining piece of attire for the North American cowboy. Today it is worn by many people, and is particularly associated with ranch workers in the western and southern United States, western Canada and northern Mexico, with...
.
In 1994 Peavey was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho is a constitutional statewide elected office in the State of Idaho. According to the Idaho Constitution, the lieutenant governor is elected to a four-year term....
. He was defeated by the Republican incumbent Butch Otter, who was later elected governor in 2006
Idaho gubernatorial election, 2006
The Idaho gubernatorial election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Governor Jim Risch succeeded Dirk Kempthorne, who resigned May 26 to become Secretary of the Interior. Risch served as Governor until the end of the term, but had committed to a reelection campaign for Lieutenant...
.