Dixon steps down from 1B House seat

SANDPOINT — Sage Dixon has stepped down from the Idaho House of Representatives early to accept a role as regional director for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Dixon, who served in the District 1B seat, began his role with the department on Sept. 3, two days after he resigned his post in a letter to Gov. Brad Little.

Noting it was not a light or easy decision, Dixon wrote it came after much deliberation over the past several months. The thought of leaving early seemed counter to his pledge to serve with honor.

"I have always regarded any elected position as carrying with it a high responsibility to the public, and especially the role of legislator," Dixon wrote in the Aug. 14 letter to Little. "To gain the public’s trust and be selected to represent their interests is an honor that demands sincerity and integrity."

The time felt right, Dixon said, of his decision to leave four months early. 

"I have always admired the people whose identity was not wrapped up in an elected position, and were able to step away after an appropriate amount of time," said Dixon, who had opted not to run for reelection.

Dixon, who was first elected to the District 1B seat in 2014, said 10 years was plenty of time "to learn the system, gain some influence and try to have a positive effect on the state."

"I believe I did all of that while representing our district well," he added.

Dixon said he ultimately decided to leave early, knowing it was unlikely the Idaho Legislature would be reconvened — and to serve Idaho in his new role.

As regional director, Dixon will primarily be tasked with recruiting foster families, Monica Young, Idaho Department of Health & Welfare communications director, said.

"He’ll start by putting together an outreach strategy to recruit foster families from churches in northern Idaho, and then expand to other parts of the state," Young said. "Sage’s work is one of many efforts focused on increasing the ratio of foster families to children, which will help ensure children are paired with families who can best support them."

"As for my new endeavor, it was not something I expected to be doing when I chose not to run," Dixon said, referring further questions to Young.

In its Sept. 7 meeting, the Republican Legislative Committee for District 1 nominated Cornel Rasor as its top pick to fill the remainder of Dixon's term. Also nominated were Jane Sauter, who had an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for the House of Representatives 1A seat; and Victoria Zeischegg, a longtime party Bonner County Republican Women, Inc. member and leader.

Rasor was the Bonner County Republican Central Committee’s endorsed candidate in the May Republican primary election. He defeated fellow Republican Chuck Lowman in a close race to win the primary election and will face Democrat Kathryn Larson in the general election on Nov. 5.

Scott Herndon, Bonner County Republican Central Committee chair, said Rasor is the right pick for the position. He expects Little to appoint the longtime BCRCC member to fill the remainder of Dixon's term.

After winning and becoming the party’s nominee, Rasor has been steadfast in preparing for the general election and the next legislative session, Herndon said. This despite his business, Sandpoint Army Surplus, being destroyed in a July 4 arson fire.

"He has deep roots in Bonner County and has formerly served as Bonner County commissioner," Herndon said. "He brings a wealth of experience to the position of Idaho state representative, and I hope and expect the governor will shortly appoint Cornel to the remainder of Sage Dixon’s term."

Young said the department was excited to have Dixon join Health & Welfare, helping the state's youth and expanding the department's partnerships with other organizations.

"All children deserve to grow up in safe and nurturing environments," she said. "The Department of Health and Welfare has prioritized strengthening child welfare as our agency-wide goal, where we will focus a disproportionate amount of energy and resources."

In his new role, Dixon will help with that mission, Young said.

Dixon, who served as assistant majority leader in the Idaho House of Representatives in the most recent legislative session, said he was grateful to serve both District 1 and the state in the Idaho Legislature.

"I have been blessed to meet, and work with, many excellent people from around our state whom I would have never met otherwise, and I have gained a deep appreciation for what makes Idaho such a wonderful place to live and raise a family," Dixon said.