Bonner County GOP asks Woodward to resign

The Bonner County Republican Central Committee is calling on state Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, to leave the political party and resign his position.

A resolution with the demand was approved by the party on May 16. In the resolution, the party said Woodward's conduct in the recent legislative session was unbecoming for an elected Republican official.

In the resolution, party officials claimed Woodward failed to live up to the Republican principles of “individual freedom and limited government,” but details that this accusation is because of his voting record of support for Gov. Brad Little's “anti-freedom agenda.”

Another claim alleges Woodward supported an expansion of government, stating that his legislative actions surpass Democrat colleagues.

“The BCRCC views Senator Woodward as an uncomfortable fit for the Republican party,” Smith wrote.

The resolution authored and presented by Doug Peterson reiterates the belief that Woodward voted contrary to the platform of Idaho Republicans, stating he promoted the stripping of funding for Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin as a member of JFAC.

Additionally, the resolution states that Woodward worked to punish McGeachin because of her open criticisms of Little’s unconstitutional handling of federal aid.

The resolution continues by stating Woodward's Idaho Freedom Foundation score is among the worst for Republican state senators. According to the IFF's website, Woodward’s score is 44, tied with two other Republican senators.

The two other Republican senators are Chuck Winder, R-Boise, and Fred Martin, R-Boise, with seven Republican senators within a six-point difference.

The voting concern for Woodward is his actions on SB 1136, which would amend existing law limiting the governor’s power during an emergency or crisis; it would deny the governor from suspending, altering or adjusting the Idaho code in certain circumstances.

Additionally, the bill would limit the amount of time a governor may maintain a declaration of extreme peril without approval by the legislature, granting the legislature authority to end emergency declarations.

Woodward initially voted for the bill, but when the governor vetoed the bill, sending it back to the senate chambers, Woodward along with Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston, Jim Patrick R-Twin Falls, Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, and Fred Martin voted against the bill, preventing the veto override.

In a statement to the Hagadone News Network on April 28, Woodward said his decision was made after listening to learned perspectives from experts responsible for how Idaho handles its emergencies.

“Between first voting in support of S1136 and voting not to override the veto, part of my decision-making process involved speaking with the Idaho Adjutant General and the director of the Idaho Office of Emergency Management,” Woodward told the Hagadone News Network. “Both expressed concerns with the proposed changes and how it would affect their ability to respond to emergencies.

"These two Idaho National Guard generals are the boots on the ground in Idaho emergencies. I trust their assessment of the bill and, having worn the U.S. military uniform myself, I trust their loyalty to this state and the country.”

Sen. Jim Woodward had no comment in regard to the resolution by the BCRCCs chairman or resolution sponsor.