Scott Conrad Bedke (born April 27, 1958) is an American politician serving as the 44th lieutenant governor of Idaho since 2023. A Republican, he served as a member of the Idaho House of Representatives for the 27A district. In December 2012, Bedke defeated fellow Republican Lawerence Denney to become speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Bedke was born in Twin Falls, Idaho. He graduated from Oakley High School and from Brigham Young University with Bachelor of Science in finance. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Italy from 1977 to 1979.

Career

When long-time legislator Jim Kempton resigned his seat for an appointment to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, Legislative District 25 Central Committee met to fill the vacancy in House Seat A, sending three names in order of preference to Governor Dirk Kempthorne: Bedke, Garry Turner of Burley, and ODeen Redman of Albion. Governor Kempthore appointed Bedke to serve the remainder of Kempton's term. After redistricting in 2002, Bedke was challenged in the Republican primary by Tim Willie and in the general election by Dan Ralphs, both of whom he defeated. Bedke was challenged in the 2004 Republican primary by Wayne Bagwell, whom he also defeated, and ran unopposed in every election since.

Committees

Prior to being elected as speaker in 2012, Bedke served on the following House Committees:

2022 lieutenant governor campaign

On May 17, 2022, Bedke won the Republican nomination in the statewide primary for the 2022 Idaho lieutenant gubernatorial election. He defeated Priscilla Giddings and Daniel Gasiorowski in the primary election and then defeated Democrat Terri Pickens Manweiler in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Elections

Personal life

Bedke is married and has four children and sixteen grandchildren. He grew up in Oakley, Idaho.