Cornel Rasor

Cornel Rasor is an American politician who has represented district 1B in the Idaho House of Representatives since his appointment in September 2024.[1] He replaced Sage Dixon, who resigned to accept a role as regional director for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.[2] Raser received his appointment from Governor Brad Little and was endorsed by the Bonner County Republican Party.[1][2]

Early life and education

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Rasor was born in Jackson, California and received an undergraduate degree from North Idaho College and the University of Idaho.[3] As a high school student at Sandpoint High School in Idaho, he was a member of the Future Farmers of America.[4][5] He grew up on a cattle ranch.[3]

Political career

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In 2013, Rasor attracted controversy after remarking that he'd "hire a gay guy if I thought he was a good worker. But if he comes to work in a tutu … he’s not producing what I want in my office.”.[6][7]

2020 State House of Representatives Candidacy

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Cornel Rasor announced his candidacy to represent District 7B in the Idaho House of Representatives on May 2nd, 2020.[8] He expressed strong support for the second amendment and faced Charlie Shepherd in the Republican Party primary election on June 2, 2020.[8] Rasner was defeated by Shepherd, receiving 48% of the vote to Shepard's 52%

Idaho House of Representatives District 7B Republican primary, 2020[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charlie Shepherd 4,414 52.1%
Republican Cornel Rasor 4,051 47.9%
Total votes 8,465 100%

2024 State House of Representatives Candidacy

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Raser filed paperwork to run for District 1B in the Idaho House of Representatives in late 2023 and officially declared his candidacy in May of 2024.[10] He narrowly defeated Chuck Lowman in the Republican primary, winning by a margin of 4%. Rasor was endorsed by the Bonner Country Republican Party.[2]

Idaho House of Representatives District 1B Republican primary, 2024[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Cornel Rasor 7,623 52.0%
Republican Chuck Lowman 7,042 48.0%
Total votes 8,465 100%

Appointment

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Shortly after the Republican primaries, incumbent representative Sage Dixon announced that he would resign from his position to accept as a regional director for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.[2] At the Bonner County Republican Central Committee meeting to endorse a replacement for Dixon, Rasor defeated Jane Sauter and Victoria Zeischegg.[2]Governor Brad Little officially appointed him to the seat at 1:00 on September 28th.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Lobsinger, Caroline (2024-09-28). "Rasor appointed to open LD1 seat". Bonner County Daily Bee. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Dixon steps down from 1B House seat". Bonner County Daily Bee. 2024-09-12. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  3. ^ a b "Cornel Rasor". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  4. ^ "Future Farmers End Record Year". Bonner County Daily Bee. Vol. 8, no. 234. 1974-05-22. pp. 25–26 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "SHS Students Win UP Awards". Bonner County Daily Bee. Vol. 8, no. 234. 1974-05-22. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Hagadone, Zach (2013-06-18). "Idaho GOPer to Spokesman-Review: 'I'd Hire a Gay Guy, But ...'". Idaho Press. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  7. ^ "Idaho GOP wants non-discrimination ordinances voided". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  8. ^ a b "Rasor seeks House seat". Bonner County Daily Bee. 2020-05-02. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  9. ^ "2020 May 19 Republican Primary State Representative B District 7". Idaho Secretary of State.
  10. ^ "New candidates for BoCo commissioner, Dist. 1A House". Sandpoint Reader. 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  11. ^ "2024 Idaho Legislative Primary Results". Idaho Reports. PBS.