Rex Rammell
Rex Rammell | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 2, 1961 |
| Occupation(s) | Activist and politician |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lynda (1983–present) |
| Children | Amanda and 3 other children |
| Website | Official website |
Rex Rammell (born January 2, 1961) is an American activist and politician. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Early life
Rammell was born on January 2, 1961 in Tetonia, Idaho and raised was in Eastern Idaho.[citation needed]
Career
Rammell is a veterinarian, former elk rancher and author of the recently released book titled, "A Nation Divided: The War For America's Soul".
Political offices
Rammell ran unsuccessfully in the 2008 Idaho senatorial election against Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Jim Risch,[1] polling 5.4% of the vote, and in 2009 announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for Governor in the 2010 Idaho gubernatorial election. He came in second to Incumbent Governor Butch Otter, polling 42,436 (26%) to Otter's 89,117 (54.6%).[2] In the 2010 Primary, Rammell defeated Otter in only two counties and tied him in another. Rammell's number top county was Benewah where he polled nearly 58% of the vote to Otter's 33%. Rammell's number two county was Idaho County where he polled 46% to Otter's 40%.[citation needed] Both candidates polled 43% in Boundary County, with Otter receiving two votes more than Rammell.[citation needed]In 2012, Rammell ran in the Republican primary for District 7 in the Idaho House of Representatives, but came in second place out of 3 candidates with 30.3% of the vote. Despite several attempts, Rammell has never held public office.
Controversies
Obama threats
In August 2009, while at a town hall meeting opposing proposed national health care legislation, Rammell was briefly involved in a controversy when it was reported that he had joked about seeking a license to hunt President Barack Obama. The controversy stemmed from an event that Rammell had attended in Twin Falls, Idaho where he was speaking to a group of sportsmen about the upcoming wolf hunt when a woman in the audience asked, "what about Obama tags?" Rammell replied in jest, "yeah, we'd buy some of those." Rammell later apologized for his actions.[3]
Mormon saviors
In January 2010, Rammell faced controversy when he announced to a private meeting that only "Mormon elders" would be invited to a meeting discussing an alleged prophecy from Mormon leader Joseph Smith. When asked by Nate Shelman of KBOI radio in Boise, why women were not invited, Rammell stated that is not how Mormon families work and that men are the head of the household.[4] Rammell touted the "White Horse Prophecy", a purported prophecy by Joseph Smith that there would come a time when the Constitution of the United States would "hang by a thread" and would be saved by Mormon elders. Rammell had never mentioned the so-called White Horse prophecy[citation needed] but mentioned the alleged quote by Joseph Smith in an effort to resonate Rammell's perceived seriousness of the political climate to fellow members of his church. Rammell stated his belief in and pursuit of the "White Horse Prophecy" during a live radio interview. Rammell later apologized for his actions.[5] Rammell's actions prompted The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to state that the Church "is politically neutral and does not endorse or promote any candidate, party or platform. The IRS Tax Exemption Code prohibits the Church from endorsing any political candidate or political party."[6]
Legal problems
Elk Hunt
In August 2006, nearly 160 elk escaped from Rammell's Chief Joseph hunting preserve just ten miles outside of Yellowstone National Park.[7] Rammell was required by law to report that the elk were missing and failed to do so. In September 2006, fearing the domesticated animals would hurt the genetic integrity of wild elk herds, Idaho Governor Jim Risch ordered an emergency hunt to kill the loose elk from Rammell's ranch. the hunt cost Idaho taxpayers $70,000 and was largely regarded as unsuccessful.[7] Rammell's trophy elk hunting farm was regarded by the Boone and Crockett Club as a "canned hunt" and was regarded by the Safari Club International as "violat[ing]the principle of 'fair chase' — that is, a hunt in which the animal being pursued has a sporting chance to escape."[7] In October 2006, Rammell was charged with obstructing a police officer after he refused to get off a dead elk that had been killed by authorities. He was acquitted by a six-person jury in Fremont County, Idaho in March, 2007.[7] When Rammell's daughter won the Miss Idaho USA pageant in 2007, she caused controversy by refusing to have her picture taken with Risch because of Risch's executive order that allowed the killing of Rammell's elk. Risch later refused to apologize for his actions.
Illegal elk kill
On November 30, 2010, Rammell was cited by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game after he killed a cow elk with an expired elk tag in the wrong hunting zone.[8] Rammell, who was armed with a hunting rifle at the time, allegedly threatened the officer who attempted to confiscate his elk and refused to cooperate with law enforcement officials.[9] In the weeks following the incident, Rammell made a number of media appearances in which he repetitively referred to Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers as "Nazis" and critics as "unpatriotic." On the day following the incident during a radio interview, Rammell became so incensed that he told one critic to "get the hell off the phone."[10] Rammell's actions prompted a number of sportsmen and journalists to speak out against him.[10][10][11][12]
On December 23, 2010, Rammell pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing wildlife taken unlawfully and was convicted. The conviction was later upheld.[9][13]
Jury tampering
On his way to his trial for elk poaching, Rammell handed out literature to the jurists describing his opinion of their rights as jurists. He was arrested for felony jury tampering which was reduced to a misdemeanor and later pleaded guilty.[13]
Defies authorities
On December 15, 2010, at a town hall meeting held in Idaho County, Idaho, Rammell encouraged a crowd of about 100 supporters to defy "local, State, and Federal authorities" by killing as many wolves as humanly possible.[14] Rammell's repetitive verbal attacks on state and local authorities prompted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to issue a public statement warning Idaho residents that action would be taken against any persons found in violation of federal law by killing wolves. The charges were later dismissed.[15]
Battery charges
Rammel was arrested on September 11, 2011, for battery after he confronted a couple he alleges were trespassing. The charges were later dismissed.[16]
Personal life
Rammell has been married to his wife Lynda since 1983 and they have four children; the eldest, Amanda, was Miss Idaho USA in 2007. After the 2010 primary defeat Rammel announced he may move to Idaho County in the northern-central part of the state and where he polled well compared to most of the state.[17] He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Rammell announced on June 14, 2012, that his family was moving from Rexburg, Idaho to Torrington, Wyoming, so that he could take a veterinarian job. He also indicated that his political career was likely over.[18]
References
- ^ Dan Hamilton (2008-03-20). "Rex Rammell Enters Race For Senate". Fox 12 Idaho. Retrieved 23 January 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "May 25, 2010 Primary Election Results Statewide Totals". Sos.idaho.gov. 2010-05-25. Retrieved 2013-09-06.
- ^ "Idaho Republican, governor hopeful Rex Rammell makes 'Obama tags' joke about hunting President Obama". New York Daily News. Associated Press. 2009-08-28. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
- ^ Statesman Staff (2010-11-01). "Rex Rammell contrite over LDS meetings". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved 23 January 2010.[dead link]
- ^ No Author Specified (2009-12-23). "Rex Rammell Continues To Dig His Own Very Deep Grave". Boise Picayune. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) [dead link] - ^ Nate Sunderland (2009-12-24). "LDS Church issues statement on Rex Rammell". Standard Journal. Retrieved 23 January 2010.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d "160 escaped elk elude Idaho hunt". Deseret News. Associated Press. 2006-09-11. Retrieved 28 December 2010. Cite error: The named reference "Deseret News" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Ed Mitchell (2010-11-30). "Rex Rammell To Be Charged With Illegal Elk Killing". IDFG. Retrieved 27 December 2010.[dead link]
- ^ a b Emma Jade (2010-11-30). "Rex Rammell To Be Charged With Illegally Killing Elk". KIFI. Retrieved 27 December 2010. Cite error: The named reference "Local News 8" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b c Neal Larson (2010-12-01). "Rex Rammell Interview with Neal Larson". KBLY. Retrieved 27 December 2010.[dead link] Cite error: The named reference "The Neal Larson Show" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "A Response to Rammell's column by a hunter". 2010-12-01. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
- ^ "'Letters to the Editor'". 2010-12-01. Retrieved 27 December 2010.[dead link]
- ^ a b www.idahoreporter.com, June 24, 2011, “Rex Rammell arrested for felony jury tampering (video)” by Dustin Hurst [1]
- ^ "Rammell Urges Residents to Kill Wolves". 2010-12-23. Retrieved 27 December 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "'Feds will act if wolves killed in Idaho'". 2010-12-23. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
- ^ www.idahostatejournal.com, September 12, 2011, “Ex-gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell charged with battery” by The Associated Press [2]
- ^ Posted by Betsy (2010-06-09). "Rammell mulling move north". Spokesman.com. Retrieved 2013-09-06.
- ^ Prentice, George (2012-06-14). "Rex Rammell 'Gives Up on Idaho,' Leaving State | citydesk". Boiseweekly.com. Retrieved 2013-09-06.