Rex Rammell
Encyclopedia
Rex Rammell is a conservative politician from Idaho
. Rammell ran unsuccessfully in the 2008 Idaho senatorial election against Republican Jim Risch
, 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 Butch Otter, polling 42,436 (26%) to Otter's 89,117 (54.6%). 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%. Both candidates polled 43% in Boundary County, with Otter receiving two votes more than Rammell. Despite several attempts, Rammell has never held public office.
. 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. 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." 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. When Rammell's daughter won the Miss Idaho USA
pageant in 2007, she refused to have her picture taken with Risch because of Risch's executive order that allowed the killing of Rammell's elk.
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."
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. 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 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 later stated his belief in and pursuit of the "White Horse Prophecy" during a live radio interview. 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."
after he killed a cow elk
with an expired elk tag in the wrong hunting zone. 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. 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." Rammell's actions prompted a number of sportsmen and journalists to speak out against him.
On December 23, 2010 Rammell pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing wildlife taken unlawfully. He eventually pled guilty.
, Rammell encouraged a crowd of about 100 supporters to defy "local, State, and Federal authorities" by killing as many wolves as humanly possible. 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.
, on 2 January 1961 and raised in Eastern Idaho.
, 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.
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. Rammell ran unsuccessfully in the 2008 Idaho senatorial election against Republican Jim Risch
Jim Risch
James Elroy "Jim" Risch is a Republican politician, rancher, and attorney from Ada County, currently serving as the junior United States Senator from Idaho. He previously served as Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Idaho.-Early life:Risch was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
, 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 Butch Otter, polling 42,436 (26%) to Otter's 89,117 (54.6%). 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%. Both candidates polled 43% in Boundary County, with Otter receiving two votes more than Rammell. Despite several attempts, Rammell has never held public office.
Elk Hunt
In August 2006, nearly 160 elk escaped from Rammell's Chief Joseph hunting preserve just ten miles outside of Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho...
. 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
Jim Risch
James Elroy "Jim" Risch is a Republican politician, rancher, and attorney from Ada County, currently serving as the junior United States Senator from Idaho. He previously served as Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Idaho.-Early life:Risch was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
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. Rammell's trophy elk hunting farm was regarded by the Boone and Crockett Club
Boone and Crockett Club
The Boone and Crockett Club conservationist organization, founded in the United States in 1887 by Theodore Roosevelt. The club was named in honor of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett, whom the club's founders viewed as ethical hunters and honest men who loved the outdoors and earthly pursuits...
as a "canned hunt" and was regarded by the Safari Club International
Safari Club International
Safari Club International is an international organization composed of hunters. SCI has more than 50,000 members and 180 local chapters. SCI's website displays the bannertext "Safari Club International is the Leader in Protecting the Freedom to Hunt and Promoting Wildlife Conservation...
as "violat[ing]the principle of 'fair chase' — that is, a hunt in which the animal being pursued has a sporting chance to escape." 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
Fremont County, Idaho
Fremont County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The county was established in 1893, and was named for the explorer John C. Frémont. As of the 2000 census the county had a population of 11,819 . The county seat and largest city is St. Anthony...
in March, 2007. When Rammell's daughter won the Miss Idaho USA
Miss Idaho USA
The Miss Idaho USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state of Idaho in the Miss USA pageant.Idaho is one of the least successful states in the history of the competition, with only four placements in fifty-seven years...
pageant in 2007, she refused to have her picture taken with Risch because of Risch's executive order that allowed the killing of Rammell's elk.
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 a event that Rammell had attended in Twin Falls, IdahoTwin Falls, Idaho
Twin Falls is the county seat and largest city of Twin Falls County, Idaho, United States. The population was 44,125 at the 2010 censusTwin Falls is the largest city of Idaho's Magic Valley region...
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."
Mormon saviors
In January 2010, Rammell faced controversy when he announced to a private meeting that only "MormonMormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
elders" would be invited to a meeting discussing an alleged prophecy from Mormon leader Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was founder of what later became known as the Latter Day Saint movement or Mormons.Joseph Smith may also refer to:-Latter Day Saints:* Joseph Smith, Sr. , father of 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. Rammell touted the "White Horse Prophecy
White Horse Prophecy
The White Horse Prophecy is a statement purported to have been made in 1843 by Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, regarding the future of the Latter Day Saints and the United States of America. The Latter Day Saints, according to the prophecy, would "go to the Rocky...
", a purported prophecy by Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was founder of what later became known as the Latter Day Saint movement or Mormons.Joseph Smith may also refer to:-Latter Day Saints:* Joseph Smith, Sr. , father of 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 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 later stated his belief in and pursuit of the "White Horse Prophecy" during a live radio interview. 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."
Illegal elk kill
On November 30, 2010 Rammell was cited by the Idaho Department of Fish and GameIdaho Department of Fish and Game
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is the Idaho state department which is responsible for preserving and managing Idaho’s wildlife, including mammals, fish, birds, and invertebrates....
after he killed a cow elk
Elk
The Elk is the large deer, also called Cervus canadensis or wapiti, of North America and eastern Asia.Elk may also refer to:Other antlered mammals:...
with an expired elk tag in the wrong hunting zone. 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. 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." Rammell's actions prompted a number of sportsmen and journalists to speak out against him.
On December 23, 2010 Rammell pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing wildlife taken unlawfully. He eventually pled guilty.
Jury Tampering
On his way to his trail 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.Defies authorites
On December 15, 2010 at a town hall meeting held in Idaho County, IdahoIdaho County, Idaho
Idaho County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census the county had a population of 16,267. The county seat is Grangeville...
, Rammell encouraged a crowd of about 100 supporters to defy "local, State, and Federal authorities" by killing as many wolves as humanly possible. 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.
Battery charges
Rammel was arrested on September 11, 2011 for battery after he confronted a couple he alleges were trespassing.Early life
Rammell was born in Tetonia, IdahoTetonia, Idaho
Tetonia, Idaho, in Teton County is 50 miles NE of Idaho Falls, Idaho and 425 miles NW of Denver, Colorado. The city is home to some 247 residents....
, on 2 January 1961 and raised in Eastern Idaho.
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".Personal life
Rammell has been married to his wife Lynda since 1983 and they have four children; the eldest, MandyAmanda Rammell
Amanda Rammell is a beauty queen from Rexburg, Idaho who has competed in the Miss Teen USA pageant and the Miss USA competition. She is the eldest daughter of politician Rex Rammell....
, was Miss Idaho USA
Miss Idaho USA
The Miss Idaho USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state of Idaho in the Miss USA pageant.Idaho is one of the least successful states in the history of the competition, with only four placements in fifty-seven years...
in 2007. After the 2010 primary defeat Rammel announced he may move to Idaho County
Idaho County, Idaho
Idaho County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census the county had a population of 16,267. The county seat is Grangeville...
in the northern-central part of the state and where he polled well compared to most of the state.