State Rep. Lawerence Denney has decided to run for secretary of state, and will make his official announcement in Idaho Falls Thursday.
That’s the word from one of Denney’s former Statehouse cohorts, former state Rep. Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls.
From McGeachin’s Facebook page:
“Hey my friends! I am happy to announce that my good friend and fellow colleague former Speaker of the House Lawrence (sic) Denney has decided that he will run for Secretary of State for Idaho. He will be making his official announcement in Idaho Falls this Thursday, October 24 at 9:30 am at the Veteran’s Memorial by the county courthouse. I support Representative Denney in his quest. Secretary Ysursa has served the state well. It is time for new leadership in this state. Please come out and show your support for Secretary of State Lawrence Denney.”
Denney was House speaker until December, when he was ousted by Oakley Republican Scott Bedke in a hotly contested leadership race.
Denney, of Midvale, may or may not wind up running against Ben Ysursa, a near lifer in the secretary of state’s office. A longtime deputy to Secretary of State Pete Cenarussa, Ysursa has spent 12 years in the elected office. But he hasn’t announced his plans for 2014.
The secretary of state’s functions are largely administrative — including serving as the state’s top elections official. But the secretary of state also holds one of five seats on the Land Board, which sets endowment policy that affects public education and other endownment beneficiaries.
