Mark Nye (politician)

W. Marcus W. Nye[1] (born August 3, 1945) is a Democratic Idaho State Senator since 2016 representing District 29.[2]

Mark Nye
Member of the Idaho Senate from District 29
Incumbent
Assumed office December 1, 2016
Preceded by	Roy Lacey
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives from District 29 Seat A
In office December 1, 2014 – December 1, 2016
Preceded by	Carolyn Meline
Succeeded by	Dustin Manwaring
Personal details
Born	August 3, 1945 New York City, U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Pocatello, Idaho
Alma mater	Harvard College University of Idaho

Early life, education, and career

Born in New York City in 1945,[3] Nye was raised in Pocatello descending from early pioneers of the Idaho Territory. He graduated from Pocatello High School in 1963, earned a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College in 1967 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1974. Nye has practiced law in Pocatello since 1974 at Racine, Olson, Nye, Budge and Bailey, Chtd. He is the past president of the Idaho Bar Association and a served on the American Bar Association Board of Governors.

Idaho House of Representatives

When Representative Carolyn Meline decided to not run for reelection after serving only one term, Nye announced his candidacy for House of Representative.[4] He was unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Republican Matthew Bloxham and Libertarian Matthew Larsen, both of Pocatello, in the general election.

Committee assignments

From 2014 to 2016, he served on the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee, Local Government Committee, and Revenue and Taxation Committee.

Idaho Senate

When two-term Senator Roy Lacey decided to not run for reelection, Nye announced his candidacy for Idaho Senate.[5] Nye was unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Republican Tom Katsilometes and Libertarian Sierra "Idaho Lorax" Carta in the general election.

Election challenge

Idaho law allows any voter to challenge the election of a legislator, and the respective legislative body has full discretion to judge the election and qualifications of members in deciding whether to seat them. Nye's Republican opponent Katsilometes challenged Nye's election on the grounds that Nye had allegedly violated campaign finance laws and vote counting irregularities. The Idaho Senate dismissed the challenge unanimously and seated Nye. It was the first time an election had been challenged since 1981.[6]

Committee assignments

• Finance Committee
• Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee
• Judiciary and Rules Committee
• Local Government and Taxation

Elections

District 29 House Seat A - Part of Bannock County

Year		Candidate	Votes	Pct		Candidate	Votes	Pct		Candidate	Votes	Pct
2014 Primary[7]		Mark Nye	2,268	100%
2014 General[8]		Mark Nye	5,936	53.1%		Matthew Bloxham	4,597	41.1%		Matthew Larsen	643	5.8%

District 29 Senate - Part of Bannock County

Year		Candidate	Votes	Pct		Candidate	Votes	Pct		Candidate	Votes	Pct
2016 Primary[9]		Mark Nye	951	100.0%
2016 General[10]		Mark Nye	8,018	48.1%		Tom Katsilometes	7,482	44.9%		Sierra "Idaho Lorax" Carta	1,159	7.0%

References

1. "The Probate Counsel". 1978.
2. "Sen. Mark Nye". Boise, Idaho: Idaho Legislature. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
3. Who's Who West, 1998-1999. August 1997. ISBN 9780837909288.
4. "Local lawyer to run for state House: Pocatello's Mark Nye announces seat 29A candidacy Saturday". Pocatello, Idaho. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
5. "Sen. Lacey won't seek re-election, endorses Rep. Nye for his seat". Spokane, Washington. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
6. "Full Idaho Senate rejects challenge to November election results". Spokane, Washington. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
7. Ysursa, Ben. "May 20, 2014 Primary Election Results". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
8. Ysursa, Ben. "November 4, 2014 General Election Results". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
9. Denney, Lawerence. "May 17, 2016 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
10. Denney, Lawerence. "Nov 8, 2016 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2017.