John Stegner
John Stegner | |
|---|---|
| Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court | |
| In office May 22, 2018 – October 31, 2023 | |
| Appointed by | Butch Otter |
| Preceded by | Warren Jones |
| Succeeded by | Cynthia Meyer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 8, 1953 Grangeville, Idaho, U.S. |
| Party | Republican (before 2026) Independent (2026–present) |
| Spouse | Laurie Stegner |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Joe Stegner (brother) |
| Education | Whitman College (BA) University of Idaho (JD) |
| Website | Campaign website |
John R. Stegner (born November 8, 1953) is an American attorney and a former justice of the Idaho Supreme Court, having served from 2018 to 2023. He was previously a state district court judge for over two decades.
Early life and education
Born and raised in Grangeville, Idaho, Stegner is the youngest of four sons of Charles and June Stegner. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977 from Whitman College and his Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1982.
Career
Stegner was in private practice in Lewiston for twelve years with Clements, Brown & McNichols. He clerked for the late U.S. District Judge Harold L. Ryan for two years and worked for the family business, Stegner Grain & Seed Co.
State judicial service
Stegner was previously a judge of the state's second judicial district, based in Moscow. Appointed by Phil Batt to succeed John Judge in November 1996, he served on the court from 1997 to 2018.
Idaho Supreme Court
In 2017, Stegner was considered for a vacancy on the state supreme court created by the retirement of Dan Eismann, but Governor Butch Otter appointed Richard Bevan in late August. Another vacancy soon arose with the sudden retirement of Warren Jones, and Otter appointed Stegner on May 22, 2018. He was selected from among four finalists named by the Idaho Judicial Council after public interviews with 14 applicants, including six sitting judges. Stegner was the only justice on the state's highest court from northern Idaho, and the first in several decades. He ran unopposed in the 2020 election, held during the state primary in the spring.
In May 2023, Stenger sent a letter to Governor Brad Little, announcing his upcoming retirement from the court on October 31 and his return to private practice.
Politics
Although a Republican for much of his life, in early 2026 Stegner announced that he was to contest the 2026 Idaho gubernatorial election as an independent.
References
- ↑ "June Stegner, 87, Clarkston". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. (obituary). July 3, 2005. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
- ↑ "Charles B. Stegner, 79, Stegner Grain president". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. (obituary). March 8, 2005. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
- ↑ "Hon. John R. Stegner Judge Profile on Martindale.com". www.martindale.com. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 Russell, Betsy (May 22, 2018). "Judge John Stegner of Moscow appointed to Idaho Supreme Court". Idaho Press. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
- ↑ Hanian, Jon (May 22, 2018). "Judge John Stegner Appointed To Idaho Supreme Court". KPVI. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
- ↑ "Court Contact Info". sjdc.isc.idaho.gov. 2nd Judicial District. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
- ↑ Dawson, James (May 22, 2018). "Moscow Judge John Stegner Appointed To Idaho Supreme Court". Retrieved July 21, 2018.
- ↑ "Idaho Supreme Court Justice John Stegner to Retire" (PDF). State of Idaho Judicial Branch. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
- ↑ "Letter to Governor" (PDF). May 1, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
- ↑ DeGroot, Gerard. "My College Roommate is Running for Governor". Past and Present. Retrieved June 24, 2026.
External links
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