Acting Governor Little appoints St. Maries City Council member to Idaho House vacancy

BOISE – Acting Governor Brad Little announced the appointment today of Margie Gannon of St. Maries to the Idaho House of Representatives seat vacated by the recent resignation of Plummer Democrat Paulette Jordan, who stepped down to campaign for her party’s gubernatorial nomination.

The Democrat legislative committee for District 5 – covering Benewah and Latah counties – chose Gannon among three nominees for the Governor’s consideration to succeed Jordan. Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter was in Washington, D.C. on Friday, leaving the appointment to Lieutenant Governor Little as acting governor.

Also nominated to replace Jordan in House seat 5A were Moscow attorney and mediator Laurene Sorensen and retired Army officer and former Latah County sheriff’s candidate Barry Johnson. Jordan’s term runs through this year, and Gannon plans to run for the seat in the May primary election.

Gannon is a member of the St. Maries City Council and previously was a 16-year member of the St. Maries School Board. She also was on the executive board of the Idaho School Boards Association from 1999 through 2016. Gannon worked for 20 years as a licensed practical nurse and for 17 years with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The Kellogg native recently filled in temporarily for Jordan in the Idaho House before Jordan decided to pursue her campaign for governor full time.