View source for Heather Scott

{{short description|American politician and biologist from Idaho}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Heather Scott
| image = Heather Scott by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image_size =
| office = Member of the [[Idaho House of Representatives]]
|constituency = [[Idaho's 1st legislative district|1st district]] Seat A (2014–2022)<br>[[Idaho's 2nd legislative district|2nd district]] Seat A (2022–present)
| alongside = [[Dale Hawkins (politician)|Dale Hawkins]]
| term_start = December 1, 2014
| term_end =
| predecessor = [[Eric Anderson (politician)|Eric Anderson]]
| birth_name =
| birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| birth_place = [[Ohio]], U.S.
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse = Andrew
| children =
| residence = [[Blanchard, Idaho]], U.S.
| education = [[University of Akron]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])
| alma_mater =
| occupation =
| profession =
| website = {{Official website|repheatherscott.com}}
}}
'''Heather Scott''' is an American biologist, businesswoman, and politician serving as a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member of the [[Idaho House of Representatives]] from the 1st district. She has been a member of the Idaho House since 2014. She is part of the [[far-right]] faction of the [[Idaho Republican Party]].<ref name= "Siegler" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Walters |first=Daniel |title=They're with her: Janice McGeachin and the rise of women on the Idaho far-right |url=https://www.inlander.com/spokane/theyre-with-her-janice-mcgeachin-and-the-rise-of-women-on-the-idaho-far-right/Content?oid=23789036 |access-date=November 24, 2022 |date=May 16, 2022 |newspaper=[[Inlander (newspaper)|Inlander]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=James |last=Dawson |date=October 24, 2022 |title=Should Idaho lawmakers have a say over special sessions? |url=https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/politics-government/2022-10-24/idaho-lawmakers-special-sessions-ballot-amendment |access-date=November 24, 2022 |work=Boise State Public Radio |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Moseley-Morris |first=Kelcie |date=April 6, 2022 |title=Idaho House candidates pull in $1.2 million in fundraising |url=https://idahocapitalsun.com/2022/04/06/idaho-house-candidates-pull-in-1-2-million-in-fundraising/ |access-date=November 24, 2022 |work=Idaho Capital Sun |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Born in [[Ohio]], Scott earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the [[University of Akron]].<ref name= "Idaho.gov" />

== Career ==
She was employed in the field of fisheries and aquatic biology for over 15 years related to the [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]] re-licensing and operations of [[hydroelectric]] facilities.<ref name= "Idaho.gov" >{{Cite web |url=https://legislature.idaho.gov/legislators/membership/2017/id3137/ |title=Rep. Heather Scott |website=Idaho State Legislature |language=en-US |access-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref>

=== Idaho House of Representatives ===
In 2015 Scott is reported to have cut wires which were part of the fire-suppression system in her office. Scott believed at the time that the wires were in fact listening devices planted to spy on her. The wire-cutting incident was witnessed by other Idaho House members.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article127071509.html |title=Two lawmakers say they saw Rep. Scott remove what she feared was a listening device |last=Russell |first=Betsy Z. |date=January 17, 2017 |work=[[Idaho Statesman]] |access-date=November 21, 2019}}</ref>

In August 2017, Scott defended [[white nationalism]] on her [[Facebook]] page, writing: "The way the media has set this up, the mention of white nationalist, which is no more than a Caucasian who (sic) for the Constitution and making America great again, and confusing it with term, 'white supremacist' which is extreme racism. Therefore, if one is 'guilty' of being white, one is clearly racist." <ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/aug/15/north-idaho-rep-heather-scott-defends-white-nation/ |title=North Idaho Rep. Heather Scott defends white nationalists in Facebook post |date=August 16, 2017 |first=Betsy Z. |last=Russell |newspaper=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |access-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cdapress.com/article/20170823/ARTICLE/170829922 |title=Heather Scott defends statements on white nationalism |last=Malone |first=Mary |date=August 23, 2017 |newspaper=[[Coeur d'Alene Press]] |language=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903114754/http://www.cdapress.com/article/20170823/ARTICLE/170829922 |archive-date=September 3, 2018 |access-date=November 21, 2019}}</ref>

At the start of the 2017 legislative session, Scott reportedly made a remark to fellow state representative [[Judy Boyle]], upon learning of her appointment to the state legislature's agriculture committee. The reported comment was that female lawmakers obtain ranking committee appointments and other leadership positions only if they "spread their legs." The alleged comment received widespread rebuke from other state lawmakers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article125973489.html |title=Idaho lawmaker under fire for saying female colleagues advance via sexual favors |last=Dentzer |first=Bill |date=January 11, 2017 |work=Idaho Statesman |access-date=November 21, 2019}}</ref>

In the 2019 legislative session, Scott sponsored a bill that would have required Idaho's [[Child Protective Services]] to [[mirandize]] parents before assessing them or their children. After passing the House, the bill was held in committee in the Senate.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/senate-committee-holds-scott-s-cps-notification-bill/article_0581d3ad-26ff-5af0-9e66-f215fb3b45b7.html |title=Senate committee holds Scott's CPS notification bill| last1=Brown |first1=Nathan |date=March 18, 2019 |work=Idaho Press |access-date=March 19, 2019}}</ref>

In 2019, it was reported that Scott was a member of the Coalition of Western States (COWS), a group founded by Washington state representative [[Matt Shea]] that has been accused of involvement in domestic terrorism.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Jim |last1=Camden |first2=Chad |last2=Sokol |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/dec/19/rep-matt-shea-engaged-in-domestic-terrorism-during/ |title=Rep. Matt Shea expelled from GOP caucus after investigation finds he engaged in domestic terrorism |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |access-date=January 23, 2021 |date=December 19, 2019}}</ref>

In April 2020, she dismissed the severity of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], claiming the virus was trying to kill the [[U.S. Constitution]]<ref>{{Cite news |first=Dave |last=Nichols |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/apr/03/heather-scott-north-idaho-leaders-push-back-agains/|title=North Idaho state Rep. Heather Scott pushes back against Gov. Little's stay-at-home order |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |access-date=January 23, 2021 |date=April 3, 2020}}</ref> and "The lying, Trump-hating media who continues to push global and socialist agendas has told us that there is an emergency." <ref name= "Siegler" >{{Cite news |first=Kirk |last=Siegler |author-link=Kirk Siegler |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/04/13/832961674/in-idaho-far-right-republicans-defy-coronavirus-health-restrictions |title=In Idaho, Far-Right Republicans Defy Coronavirus Health Restrictions |work=NPR |access-date=January 23, 2021 |date=April 13, 2020}}</ref>

In an April 2021 debate on the House floor, Scott claimed the book ''[[To Kill a Mockingbird]]'' was an example of [[critical race theory]] in schools.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Holmes |first1=Brian |title=Idaho lawmaker cites 'To Kill A Mockingbird' as proof of critical race theory in schools |url=https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/208/idaho-lawmakers-witness-to-critical-race-theory-schools-cites-to-kill-a-mockingbird/277-369c5ecb-92c2-4dc0-9bfe-54edc12f4435 |work=[[KTVB]] |date=April 22, 2021 |access-date=July 8, 2021}}</ref>

In 2021, Scott sought a copy of the police report accusing fellow state Republican [[Aaron von Ehlinger]] of rape and asked the victim's legal representative how a person who files a false police report alleging sexual assault could be charged with a crime.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Rebecca |last=Boone |title=Idaho intern reported rape, faced 'overwhelming' harassment |url=https://apnews.com/article/idaho-ade08d8d48b315a3eb3deaff302c1bb4 |access-date=May 4, 2021 |date=May 4, 2021 |website=AP NEWS |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

Scott spoke against a bill in 2023 that would have provided [[tampon]]s and [[Menstrual pad|pad]]s in girls' public school bathrooms in middle and high school, calling it a "very liberal policy" and asking "Why are our schools obsessed with the private parts of our children?" The bill failed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Nick |title=Idaho Republicans block 'woke' free tampons in schools proposal |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3916205-idaho-republicans-block-woke-free-tampons-in-schools-proposal/ |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=March 24, 2023}}</ref>

===Elections===

In 2020, Scott ran unopposed in the Republican primary.<ref>{{cite web |title=Heather Scott (Idaho) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Heather_Scott_(Idaho) |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=April 19, 2022}}</ref> She defeated Gail Bolin in the general election with 68.0 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |title=Idaho State House - Position 1A Election Results |url=https://www.usatoday.com/elections/results/race/2020-11-03-state_house-ID-13292/ |access-date=June 3, 2022 |work=[[USA Today]] |date=November 3, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2018, Scott defeated Mike Boeck in the Republican primary.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/may/05/north-idaho-rep-heather-scott-draws-gop-challenger/ |title=North Idaho Rep. Heather Scott draws GOP challenger for next election |last=Russell |first=Betsy Z. |date=May 5, 2017 |work=The Spokesman-Review |access-date=November 21, 2019}}</ref> She supported Congressman [[Raúl Labrador|Raul Labrador]] for governor in the May 2018 Republican primary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.idahostatejournal.com/opinion/columns/labrador-offers-the-best-hope-to-the-gop-right/article_afb46356-1826-5d78-a5ac-b5fc84947c0d.html|title=Labrador offers the best hope to the GOP 'right'|last=Malloy|first=Chuck|date=August 20, 2017|website=Idaho State Journal|language=en|access-date=November 21, 2019}}</ref>

In 2016, Scott ran unopposed in the Republican primary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2016/Primary/legislative_totals.html|title=Legislative Totals|website=www.sos.idaho.gov|access-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref> She defeated Kate McAlister with 62.54% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2016/General/legislative_totals.html|title=Legislative Totals|website=www.sos.idaho.gov|access-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref> She supported [[Ted Cruz]] in the [[Republican Party presidential primaries, 2016]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=114775|title=Ted Cruz: Press Release - Cruz for President Announces Expanded Idaho Leadership Team|website=www.presidency.ucsb.edu|access-date=April 5, 2017|archive-date=April 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407053805/http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=114775|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Davlin |first1=Melissa |last2=Ogilvie |first2=Seth |url=https://blog.idahoreports.idahoptv.org/2016/03/07/two-rallies-two-different-messages-two-reporters-thoughts/ |work=Idaho Reports |publisher=[[Idaho Public Television]] |title=Two rallies, two different messages, two reporters' thoughts |date=March 8, 2016 |access-date=April 1, 2023}}</ref>

In 2014, Scott defeated Stephen T. Snedden in the Republican primary, winning with 63.8% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/RESULTS/2014/Primary/legislative_totals.html|title=Legislative Totals|website=www.sos.idaho.gov|access-date=April 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107201303/https://sos.idaho.gov/elect/RESULTS/2014/Primary/legislative_totals.html|archive-date=November 7, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> She defeated Laura Bry in the general election with 66.1% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/results/2014/General/legislative_totals.html|title=Legislative Totals|website=www.sos.idaho.gov|access-date=April 5, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220093000/http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/RESULTS/2014/General/legislative_totals.html|archive-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref>

In 2024, Scott is running unopposed in the Republican primary. Democrat Loree Peery is running against Scott in the general election. Peery decided to run after Scott introduced a bill expanding an anti-cannibalism law in response to a prank video.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Crampton |first1=Liz |title=Combatting cannibalism and jailing librarians: Idaho Democrats see opportunity in extreme GOP agenda |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/17/idaho-democrats-comeback-00152346 |access-date=17 April 2024 |date=April 17, 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://legislature.idaho.gov/legislators/membership/2017/id3137/ Heather Scott] at the [[Idaho Legislature]]
*[http://www.voteheatherscott.com Campaign site]

{{Idaho House of Representatives}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scott, Heather}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:University of Akron alumni]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the Idaho House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Women state legislators in Idaho]]
[[Category:People from Bonner County, Idaho]]
[[Category:21st-century American legislators]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:21st-century American women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American far-right politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Idaho politicians]]