Edgar Malepeai

Edgar Malepeai
Minority Leader of the Idaho Senate
In office
2010–2012
Preceded byKate Kelly
Succeeded byMichelle Stennett
Member of the Idaho Senate
from District 30
In office
December 1, 2002 – December 1, 2012
Preceded byMel Richardson (redistricting)
Succeeded byDean Mortimer (redistricting)
Personal details
Born (1950-08-07) August 7, 1950 (age 74)
American Samoa
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Brenda
(died 2009)
ResidencePocatello, Idaho
Alma materIdaho State University
OccupationEducator, politician

Edgar J. Malepeai (born August 7, 1950) is a Democratic politician from Pocatello, Idaho. He served as an Idaho State Senator from the Bannock County-based District 30 from 2002 to 2012. During his final two years in the Idaho Senate Malepeai served as minority leader.

Malepeai was born in American Samoa and graduated from high school in South San Francisco, California. He moved to Pocatello in the 1970s to attend Idaho State University, where he played football and rugby. After graduation, Malepeai worked as a government teacher at Highland High School.[1] Malepeai also works as a football official in Big Sky Conference games.[2]

Malepeai previously served on the Pocatello City Council and as chair of the Bannock County Democratic Party. He was first elected to the Idaho Senate in 2002 with 64.6 percent of the vote.[3] He ran unopposed for reelection in 2004, 2006 and 2008.[4][5][6] Malepeai also has previous service representing Idaho on the Democratic National Committee.[7]

Malepeai missed the 2007 and 2008 legislative sessions while caring for his wife, Brenda, who suffered from a rare form of cancer. Brenda Malepeai died in March 2009.[8]

In 2010 Malepeai faced Republican opposition for the first time since his initial state senate run eight years earlier. Malepeai was reelected to a fifth term with 54.6 percent of the vote.[9] Malepeai was not a candidate for reelection in 2012.

  1. ^ "United Vision for Idaho 2008 Award Honorees". Archived from the original on October 2, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
  2. ^ In homogenous Idaho Legislature, names still get butchered[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ November 5, 2002 General Election Results Legislative Totals Archived May 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ November 2, 2004 General Election Results Legislative Totals Archived May 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ November 7, 2006 General Election Results Legislative Totals Archived May 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ November 4, 2008 General Election Results Legislative Totals Archived June 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP ROSTER 2004 - 2008" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 19, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
  8. ^ Hancock, Jimmy. "Leadership issues: Malepeai to head minority caucus after DUI arrest", Idaho State Journal, January 3, 2010. (accessed 20 January 2012)
  9. ^ November 2, 2010 General Election Results Archived May 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine (accessed 20 January 2012)