Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter has appointed Stephen Hartgen, the former publisher of the Times-News and a past vice chairman of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, to fill a seat in the Idaho House. Hartgen, who started a consulting business in 2005, will replace Rep. Burt Brackett, who was appointed in July to complete the state Senate term of Tom Gannon, who died in June. His name will also appear on the ballot in place of Brackett during the November election.
Hartgen, 63, a native of Maine, has a bachelor’s degree in history from Amherst College, a master’s degree in American history from Brandeis University and a PhD in American studies from the University of Montana. His wife, Linda, is a trial court administrator for the Fifth Judicial District.
He was publisher of the Times-News in Twin Falls for 14 years and regional publisher for Lee Enterprises from 2002 to 2004. Hartgen also served as vice president of the Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization and has been a member of the Idaho Capitol Commission since 1998.
“Steve is among the most accomplished and civic-minded citizens of southern Idaho,” Otter said in a news release. “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. It’s an honor to appoint someone so well qualified and prepared to take on this responsibility.”
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