Bert Brackett
# Bert Brackett

Noy Elbert "Bert" Brackett III (born October 17, 1944) is an American politician who served as a member of the Idaho Senate for the 23rd district from 2008 to 2020.

## Early life and education

Bert Brackett was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, in 1944. Brackett received a Bachelor of Science in agriculture at the University of Idaho in 1966.

## Career

Brackett served one term in the Idaho House of Representatives. In 2008, Brackett was elected to represent Idaho's 23rd Legislative district, which includes Twin Falls.

Brackett is a rancher at Flat Creek Ranch. He has also served for the Idaho National Guard.

### Idaho House of Representatives

In October 2005, when long-time incumbent Representative Douglas Jones resigned to take a job out of state, the Legislative District 23 Republican Central Committee met to fill the vacancy in the House seat. The committee sent three names in order of preference to Governor Dirk Kempthorne to fill the vacancy: Brackett, Benny Blick of Castleford, and Jim Patrick of Filer. Governor Otter appointed Brackett to serve the remainder of Gannon's term.

**Committees**

Brackett served on the Agricultural Affairs Committee and Education Committee in 2006, the Appropriations Committee and Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee from 2007 to 2008, Energy, Environment, and Technology in 2008, and the Resources and Conservation Committee from 2006 to 2008.

### Idaho Senate

In July 2008, after the death of Senator Tom Gannon, the Legislative District 23 Republican Central Committee met to fill the vacancy in the Senate seat and replace Gannon's name on the upcoming general election ballot. The committee selected Representative Brackett to replace Gannon's name on the ballot and sent three names in order of preference to Governor Butch Otter to fill the vacancy: Brackett, Hartgen, and Jeanne Gannon of Buhl, the widow of Senator Gannon. Governor Otter appointed Brackett to serve the remainder of Gannon's term.

After redistricting, incumbent Senators Brackett and Tim Corder, of Mountain Home, were drawn into the same district and faced off in the Republican primary in 2012. Brackett was endorsed by Governor Otter and won the nomination.

**Committees**

* Transportation Committee (chairman)
* Resources and Environment Committee (vice chairman)

Brackett previously served on the Finance Committee and Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee from 2009 to 2012 and on the Agriculture Affairs 2013 to 2016.

## Personal life

Brackett and his wife, Paula, have five children.

## Elections

District 23 House Seat B - Owyhee and part of Twin Falls County :

| Year | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2006 general | Bert Brackett (incumbent) | 9,357 | 100% | | | |
| 2008 primary | Bert Brackett (incumbent) | 3,343 | 100% | | | |

District 23 Senate - Owyhee County and part of Twin Falls County :

| Year | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2008 general | Bert Brackett (incumbent) | 10,550 | 66.5% | Bill Chisholm | 5,312 | 33.5% |
| 2010 primary | Bert Brackett (incumbent) | 4,056 | 100% | | | |
| 2010 general | Bert Brackett (incumbent) | 9,689 | 100% | | | |

District 23 Senate - Elmore and Owyhee Counties and part of Twin Falls County :

| Year | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2012 primary | Bert Brackett (incumbent) | 3,009 | 57.4% | Tim Corder (incumbent) | 2,230 | 42.6% |
| 2012 general | Bert Brackett (incumbent) | 9,177 | 68.8% | Bill Chisholm | 4,165 | 31.2% |
| 2014 primary | Bert Brackett (incumbent) | 3,573 | 100% | | | |
| 2014 general | Bert Brackett (incumbent) | 8,022 | 100% | | | |
| 2016 primary | Bert Brackett (incumbent) | 4,052 | 100% | | | |
| 2016 general | Bert Brackett (incumbent) | 12,422 | 100% | | | |
