State Senator Kelly Anthon appointed to leadership in Idaho Senate • Idaho Capital Sun

The Idaho Senate will be under new leadership for the first time in four years as State Senator Kelly Anthon was named president pro tempore in Wednesday night’s caucus leadership election.

Anthon, a Republican from Burley, succeeds former Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Winder, R-Boise, who was defeated from a challenger in his legislative district in the Republican primary on May 21st.

Idaho Senate Republicans elected three additional leadership members Wednesday, all of whom will serve in new positions.

• Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian
• Deputy Senate Majority Leader Mark Harris, R-Soda Springs
• Senate Committee Chairman: Sen. Ben Toews, R-Coeur d’Alene

In the Idaho House of Representatives, Republican House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, and House Majority Leader Jason Monks, R-Meridian, retained their leadership posts, according to a news release issued Wednesday evening by Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Nampa emerges.

Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, was named acting House Majority Leader, replacing former Rep. Sage Dixon, R-Ponderay. Crane was named House floor leader, succeeding Rep. Dustin Manwaring, R-Pocatello.

Anthony was elected the new president pro tempore — or pro tem for short — on Wednesday night during the caucus leadership election, said Sen. Scott Grow, R-Eagle.

Anthon is expected to be formally installed in his new leadership position later this year today Idaho Legislature organizational meeting at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. Wednesday’s caucus elections were held behind closed doors.

The president pro tempore is the ranking member of the Idaho Senate and presides over the Idaho Senate when the state’s lieutenant governor is absent. The president pro tempore is also second in line to succession to the governor, after the lieutenant governor. The President Provisional is also appointed as acting governor when the governor and lieutenant governor are unable to discharge their duties, such as when they are both outside the state.
In general, leadership members have a lot of influence on the bills in the Idaho Legislature move forward and which ones do not and which legislators are represented in which committees.

Anthon, who is beginning his sixth term in the Idaho Legislature, was formerly majority leader in the Idaho Senate – the second-best leadership position behind pro tem. Anthon is a licensed attorney who works professionally as the City Manager for the City of Rupert.