Mark Ricks

Political Career

Ricks introduction to politics occurred in the late 1940s and early 1950s when he served as a Republican Precinct Committeeman. He was pressured to run for the Idaho Senate in 1976. He did not run due to his time consuming calling in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints being stake president. Because of his Calling (LDS Church) was put in charge of the recovery effort for when the Teton Dam collapse and for the entire impacted area for relief efforts. Ricks was nationally recognized for his leadership in organizing the successful recovery effort.

At the urging of the Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives (Allan Larsen) and many other prominent citizens, in 1978 he ran for, and was elected to, the Idaho State Senate, serving his first term in 1979-1980. As a freshman Senator he was chosen to serve on the powerful Joint Finance Committee. This period also marks the beginning of the friendship and collaboration between Ricks and Jim Risch, as Risch was serving as Senate Majority Leader at the time.

Ricks served in the State Senate with many of Idaho’s most influential leaders. As a former seatmate of Larry Craig, Ricks in known for commenting that Craig taught him to be a State Senator, and that “I had some influence on him, to prepare him to become a US Congressman.”

During his second term in the State Senate he served as the Chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee, and in his third term he was surprised and honored to be nominated and elected Senate Majority Leader, with Jim Risch serving as the President Pro Tem of the Senate. During his tenure as Senate Majority Leader he also worked with Mike Crapo, who served as the Assistant Majority Leader.

In 2014 Ricks supported Evan Frasure for Secretary of State of Idaho.

40th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho

Ricks was appointed lieutenant governor by Governor Jim Risch to fill a vacancy caused by Risch's succession to the governorship in May 2006. Ricks presided over Idaho's 27 Special Session which dealt with Idaho Property Tax Relief Act of 2006.

He was succeeded by Risch, who was reelected lieutenant governor in November 2006. Ricks was not a candidate for public office that year. Ricks' appointment was seen by some as an effort by Risch to reach out to voters in the Eastern Idaho region should Risch decide to run for governor at some point in the future. However Risch dismissed this as "pure speculation."

Personal life

Ricks was born and raised in Rexburg, Idaho. He graduated from Madison High School (Idaho), where he played football. He attended Ricks College, played on the basketball team, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree. He married Evelyn Tonks in 1944 at the Logan, Utah Temple. Ricks served a two-year Mission (LDS Church) for the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 1940s. Ricks has been Bishop (Latter Day Saints), stake president (during the 1976 Teton Dam failure and played a key role in local disaster relief efforts), and Regional representative of the Twelve. He also served has the Nauvoo Visitor's Center Director for 2 years, completed an 18-month mission in Salt Lake City at the Missionary Department, and was Temple president to the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple. from 1999–2002. He died on September 29, 2016 in Rexburg, Idaho at the age of 92.

Awards and Community Involvement

Awards

Community Involvement

Legacy

Senator Jim Risch issued this statement when Ricks passed away in 2016: "Vicki and I were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our good friend Mark Ricks. In the years we served together in the Idaho Senate, I came to know Mark as a man of great character and a loyal friend. When I became Governor I was required to appoint a Lieutenant Governor who would succeed me should I be unable to serve. I could think of no better person than Mark to fulfill that obligation. Mark was a gentleman and a statesman and his reputation for trustworthiness was legendary. He was more than a friend; he was a trusted confidant and advisor to me. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

Senator Mike Crapo said “Idaho has lost a great leader, I had a great working relationship with Mark Ricks in the Idaho Senate and as lieutenant governor. His passion for serving Idahoans and attention to legislative detail is what I will remember most.”