Idaho Politician’s Future Down the Drain with DUI

by: Mike Miller
6/27/2016

One of the young up and coming members of the Republican Party in Iowa just ruined his political career. Senate Caucus Chairman John McGee was released from the Ada County Jail on a $5,000 bond after a short 10-minute hearing last week.

Grand Theft Auto and DUI

The 38-year-old Caldwell Republican was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with a felony truck theft and misdemeanor DUI after police found him in the backseat of an SUV — towing a 20-foot trailer — that witnesses say he initially tried to drive off in.

It appeared from the brief hearing that McGee's attorney may argue that a medical issue was at play. Police say McGee registered a .15 blood alcohol content — nearly twice the legal driving limit of .08.

McGee is serving his fourth term in the Idaho Senate, and had been considered by many political watchers to be a contender for higher office.

A former aide to Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, McGee has been mentioned frequently as a candidate for higher office, including governor. He is the chairman of the Canyon County GOP.

Police say McGee was drinking late Saturday night at a Boise golf course clubhouse, but left on foot. Sometime before 3 a.m., he got in a Ford Excursion with the keys still in it and tried to drive it away. He ended up jack-knifing the rig in a nearby driveway, according to two teen boys who say they watched the scene play out.

The boys' mother, Tracey Carleton, said Sunday that McGee appeared to be disoriented and hallucinating.