Idaho Lieutenant Governor Janice McGeachin’s Chief of Staff Announces Resignation

Idaho Lieutenant Governor Janice’s McGeachin’s chief of staff briefed McGeachin and a administrator of the state budget that he will step down when the Idaho Legislature adjourns for the year.

Jordan Watters, McGeachin’s chief of staff, gave McGeachin notice of his resignation Thursday, according to an email from Watters obtained by the Idaho Capital Sun.

“My last agreed day of work in this office will be the end of the 2022 legislative session,” Watters wrote in an email he sent Monday morning to David Fulkerson, deputy administrator of the Financial Management Division of Idaho.

The resignation comes as McGeachin is in the face of a projected budget deficit if it doesn’t cut spending. But even Watters’ resignation will not be enough to cover the projected shortfall. On Wednesday, Fulkerson told McGeachin and Watters that McGeachin’s office would still face a shortfall of about $6,000, even if both McGeachin employees stop work on March 30.

Boise State Public Radio reporter James Dawson tweeted about Watters’ upcoming resignation earlier Monday.

The state budget year ends on June 30. Legislative leaders are working to wrap up the legislative session by Friday.

McGeachin is one of eight candidates running for governor in the 2022 Republican primary on May 17.