John Rusche
John Rusche (Democratic Party) was a member of the Idaho House of Representatives, representing District 6B. Rusche assumed office in 2004. Rusche left office in 2016.
Rusche (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Idaho House of Representatives to represent District 6B. Rusche lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Rusche is a former Democratic member of the Idaho House of Representatives, representing District 6B from 2004 to 2016. He served as State House Minority Leader from 2013 to 2016.
Biography
Rusche earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Notre Dame in 1973 and his M.D. from Washington University in 1977. His professional experience includes working as a physician and health insurance executive.
Committee assignments
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Rusche served on the following committees:
| Idaho committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Environment, Energy, and Technology |
| • Health and Welfare |
| • Ways and Means |
| • Joint Legislative Oversight, Co-chair |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Rusche served on the following committees:
| Idaho committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Business |
| • Environment, Energy, and Technology |
| • Health and Welfare |
| • Ways and Means |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Rusche served on these committees:
| Idaho committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Business |
| • Health and Welfare |
| • Revenue and Taxation |
| • Ways and Means |
| • Joint Millennium Fund |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Rusche served on these committees:
| Idaho committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Business |
| • Health and Welfare |
| • Revenue and Taxation |
| • Ways and Means |
| • Joint Millennium Fund |
Campaign themes
2014
Rusche's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[1]
Jobs
- Excerpt: "Good jobs and business growth depend on a number of factors. First in most people’s mind is usually low taxes. But more important than low tax rate (especially if state revenue cannot meet other needs) is a stable, predictable tax structure so that employers can project with some clarity the future and allow them to build an effective business plan."
Education
- Excerpt: "Common core standards were adopted by Idaho educators (and endorsed by the legislature) 4 years ago as a tool to assure that students were learning what they should. I think having standards is important, and the Common Core standards were developed by educators. Standards are appropriate, but measurements of performance must be appropriate as well."
Healthcare
- Excerpt: "The Affordable Care Act has restructured health insurance. I believe our State exchange serves Idaho purchasers well, but we need to look at other opportunities to expand coverage. With less uninsured individuals, there will be less 'cost shift' to those having insurance and better health and productivity of Idaho workers."
Working Together
- Excerpt: "It has been a goal of mine during the years I have been in the Legislature representing the citizens of our area–try to figure out a way to make things work, make things better for Idahoans. Ask people what they want, and figure out a way to to [sic] get there effectively and efficiently."
Public Lands
- Excerpt: "I believe in public ownership of these lands. But I also believe in using them, but not 'using them up.' Multiple use, including logging, mining and grazing as well as recreation and even conservation, all have roles in maintaining the public benefit from these lands."
Elections
2018
General election
General election for Idaho House of Representatives District 6B
Incumbent Mike Kingsley defeated John Rusche in the general election for Idaho House of Representatives District 6B on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mike Kingsley (R) | 58.7 | 9,305 |
 | John Rusche (D) | 41.3 | 6,541 | |
| Total votes: 15,846 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Idaho House of Representatives District 6B
John Rusche advanced from the Democratic primary for Idaho House of Representatives District 6B on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Rusche | 100.0 | 1,621 |
| Total votes: 1,621 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Idaho House of Representatives District 6B
Incumbent Mike Kingsley advanced from the Republican primary for Idaho House of Representatives District 6B on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike Kingsley | 100.0 | 3,133 |
| Total votes: 3,133 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2016
Elections for the Idaho House of Representatives were held in 2016. The primary election took place on May 17, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 11, 2016.
Mike Kingsley defeated incumbent John Rusche in the Idaho House of Representatives District 6B general election.[2][3]
| Idaho House of Representatives, District 6B General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Mike Kingsley |
58.24% | 11,063 | |
| Democratic | John Rusche Incumbent | 41.76% | 7,933 | |
| Total Votes | 18,996 | |||
| Source: Idaho Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent John Rusche ran unopposed in the Idaho House of Representatives District 6B Democratic primary.[4][5]
| Idaho House of Representatives District 6B, Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | John Rusche Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Mike Kingsley ran unopposed in the Idaho House of Representatives District 6B Republican primary.[6][7]
| Idaho House of Representatives District 6B, Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Mike Kingsley (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Idaho House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 14, 2014. Incumbent John Rusche was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while write-in candidate Mike Kingsley was unopposed in the Republican primary. Rusche defeated Kingsley in the general election. Jim Evans (R) filed to run but was removed from the ballot prior to the primary.[8][9][10][11]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Rusche |
50.2% | 6,254 | |
| Republican | Mike Kingsley | 49.8% | 6,206 | |
| Total Votes | 12,460 | |||
2012
Rusche won re-election in the 2012 election for Idaho House of Representatives. Due to redistricting, he ran in District 6B. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Daniel Santiago (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[12][13]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Rusche Incumbent |
52.3% | 9,531 | |
| Republican | Daniel Santiago | 47.7% | 8,705 | |
| Total Votes | 18,236 | |||
2010
Rusche won re-election to District Seat 7B in 2010 with no opposition. He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on May 25th. The general election took place on November 2, 2010.[14]
| Idaho House of Representatives, District 7A (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| John Rusche (D)
|
9,499 | 100.0% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Democrat John Rusche won re-election to the Idaho House of Representatives District 7B receiving 100% of the vote (13,608 votes), ahead of Independent David Mosher who received 0% of the vote (0 votes).[15]
| Idaho House of Representatives, District 7B (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| John Rusche (D)
|
13,608 | 100% | ||
| David Mosher (Independent) | 0 | 0% | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Idaho scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2016
In 2016, the Idaho State Legislature was in session from January 11 through March 25.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2015, the Idaho State Legislature was in session from January 12 through April 11.
|
2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2014, the Idaho State Legislature was in session from January 6 through March 21.
|
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2013, the Idaho State Legislature was in session from January 7 through April 4.
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2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2012, the Idaho State Legislature was in session from January 9 through March 29.
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Idaho Freedom Index
The Idaho Freedom Foundation, a conservative nonprofit organization, released its "Idaho Freedom Index" in 2013. The index was designed to show how Idaho legislators voted on the principles the foundation seeks to promote. It measured each state legislator based on how they voted on economic issues and on bills that created or eliminated government agencies, programs, and regulations. A higher score indicated that the legislator voted more in favor of the values supported by the organization.[16] Rusche received a score of -66 points in the 2013 index, ranking 59th out of 70 members of the Idaho House of Representatives that were evaluated for the study.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Rusche and his wife, Kay, have one child.
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "John + Rusche + Idaho + House"
See also
- Idaho House of Representatives
- House Committees
- Idaho State Legislature
- Idaho state legislative districts
- State legislative elections, 2018
- Idaho House of Representatives elections, 2018
External links
- Official campaign website
- Profile from Open States
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- John Rusche on Facebook
- Campaign contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004
Footnotes
- ↑ ruscheforidaho.com, "Official campaign website," accessed September 15, 2014
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "General election candidate list," accessed August 16, 2016
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Nov 08, 2016 General Election Results," accessed November 25, 2016
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Declaration for March 11, 2016, primary," accessed March 11, 2016
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed May 17, 2016
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Declaration for March 11, 2016, primary," accessed March 11, 2016
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed May 17, 2016
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed March 18, 2014
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed June 12, 2014
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official general election results," accessed November 20, 2014
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Primary write-in candidates list," accessed June 12, 2014
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "2012 primary election results," accessed May 15, 2012
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State – Elections Division, "November 6, 2012 General Election Results," accessed December 27, 2012
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official 2010 General election results," accessed April 16, 2014
- ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Official 2008 General election results," accessed April 16, 2014
- ↑ Idaho Freedom Foundation, "2013 Freedom Index," accessed August 19, 2013
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Shirley Ringo (D) |
Idaho House of Representatives District 6B 2012-2016 |
Succeeded by Mike Kingsley (R) |
| Preceded by - |
Idaho House of Reresentatives District 7B 2004–2012 |
Succeeded by Paul Shepherd (R) |
