Mark Nye (politician)


W. Marcus W. Nye is a Democratic Idaho State Senator since 2016 representing District 29.

Early life, education, and career

Born in New York City in 1945, 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. 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. 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.

Committee assignments

YearCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPct
2016 Primary951100.0%
2016 General8,01848.1%7,48244.9%1,1597.0%