Branden Durst resigning from Senate
Idaho Sen. Branden Durst, D-Boise, is resigning from the state Senate, effective Dec. 1. Durst said he's resigning to focus on his family's needs; earlier this year, his wife and family moved to the Seattle area, where she now is employed as a teacher, and he's since spent much time over there. The Idaho Democratic Party announced that it is inviting Democrats from District 18 who are interested in the position to fill out a questionnaire; the party's District 18 central committee will recommend three candidates to Gov. Butch Otter for appointment. "Although we will miss him, we are confident we will find a worthy person to take his place,” said John Goettsche, the party's District 18 chairman. Click below for the Democratic Party's full announcement.
Durst is in his first term in the Senate, after serving three terms in the House.
Idaho Democratic Party
For Immediate Release
Date: November 21, 2013
Idaho State Sen. Branden Durst to Resign
Boise, Idaho—Idaho State Senator Branden Durst, of Boise, has delivered a letter of resignation to the governor’s office and senate leaders. His resignation is effective as of the first day of December. A committee has been formed to vet nominees to replace Durst. Three nominees will be submitted to the governor, who will choose one.
Dist. 18 Idaho Democrats who are interested in being considered for the vacant Senate position can visit the Idaho Democratic Party website and take a short survey at: http://idahodems.org/district-
Senator Durst said he is resigning to focus on his family’s needs. He does not believe he can give his constituents the representation they deserve in the meantime. Durst was elected as Dist. 18 senator in 2012. Prior to that, he served as the District 18 state representative from 2006 to 2010.
“I want to thank Brandon Durst for his years of service and dedication to Idahoans,” said IDP Chair Larry Kenck. “We are sad to see him leave but wish him well in his future endeavors.”
District 18 Legislative Chair John Goettsche is leading the candidate recruitment committee that will vet potential nominees. Goettsche said, “We appreciate Senator Durst’s service over the years and we were well-represented by him. Although we will miss him, we are confident we will find a worthy person to take his place.”
Goettsche is overseeing a process to fill the vacancy left by Durst. That process is as follows:
A candidate recruitment committee will screen applicants and make recommendations to the Dist. 18 Central Committee for nominees to be appointed to the governor.
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