BOISE — Nine Idaho state senators issued a statement Friday saying they voted to remove Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, from his position as Senate Majority Caucus Chairman.

The Senate Republican Caucus last week voted behind closed doors to retain McGee as caucus chairman. But the nine senators said they want to make it clear that, even as a minority, they wanted to take the position away from McGee. The Caldwell Republican was arrested for DUI in Boise in June.

“Our constituents want us to stand up for the convictions, principles and values we have said we represent,” the letter reads. “Given the toxic political climate that exists today, it is critical that we strive to uphold the highest standards of conduct in order to safeguard the public trust.”

The senators who signed the letter are Chuck Winder, Russ Fulcher, Dean Mortimer, Sheryl Nuxoll, Mitch Toryanski, Monty Pearce, Shirley McKague, Steve Vick and Lee Heider.  

McGee responded Friday with this prepared statement: “No one is more disappointed by the mistake I made last June than me. I am solely responsible for my actions. I am humbled daily by the support I have received from my constituents, my colleagues and most importantly my family. I look forward to now working with my colleagues to address the important issues facing the citizens of the state of Idaho.”

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