STEPHEN HARTGEN APPOINTED TO SUCCEED BRACKETT IN IDAHO HOUSE

(BOISE) – Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter today named Stephen Hartgen of Twin Falls, a business consultant and former newspaper editor and publisher, to complete state Representative Bert Brackett’s term representing District 23 in the Idaho House.

Brackett, a Rogerson rancher, was appointed on July 10 to complete the Idaho Senate term of state Senator Tom Gannon of Buhl, who died June 24. Hartgen also will take Brackett’s place as the Republican nominee for House seat 23B on the November general election ballot. He was the first choice of three nominees submitted to Governor Otter by the District 23 Republican Legislative Committee to succeed Brackett.

“It has been my pleasure to work closely with Governor Otter in various capacities, and I look forward to this new challenge representing the people of District 23 in the Legislature,” Hartgen said. “I have a broad background in public policy and community development, and believe my expertise and perspective will serve the people of Twin Falls and Owyhee counties well.”

Hartgen, 63, a native of Maine, has a bachelor’s degree in history from Amherst College in Massachusetts, a master’s degree in American history from Brandeis University in Massachusetts, and a doctorate in American Studies from the University of Minnesota. His wife, Linda, is trial court administrator for the Fifth Judicial District.

Hartgen is a past vice chairman of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry and former vice president of the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization. He has been a member of the Idaho Capitol Commission since 1998, and has served on numerous civic organizations and professional committees over the years. He was publisher of The Times-News in Twin Falls for 14 years and regional publisher for Lee Enterprises, a national community newspaper chain, from 2002 to 2004. Hartgen started his own consulting business in 2005.

“Steve is among the most accomplished and civic-minded citizens of southern Idaho. He has been involved in so many important issues through the decades – from education funding to criminal justice – that he will be a great addition to the Idaho House of Representatives,” Governor Otter said. “It’s an honor to appoint someone so well qualified and prepared to take on this responsibility.”

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