Senator Chuck Winder: A Conversation with Idaho's Senate Majority Leader Artwork

Principles of Freedom

As we learn the principles of freedom, we live better lives. Higher Purpose + Personal Responsibility + Stand for Liberty = Freedom. These conversations are all about learning, expanding and appreciating different perspectives as we seek to understand one another. We promote civility in debate -- not hate. As we share stories, we humanize one another. We share the stories about how good people can make a positive difference in our communities and in our country. We share the stories of statesmanship, public service, the impact of legislation, the importance of history, and the role of government in enabling -- not controlling -- how people live and thrive. We discuss a higher purpose, personal responsibility and standing for liberty. We talk about what it means to be free.

All Episodes

Principles of Freedom

Senator Chuck Winder: A Conversation with Idaho's Senate Majority Leader

October 06, 2020 • S. Max Brown • Season 1 • Episode 8

Senator Chuck Winder was first elected to the Idaho State Senate in 2008. In 2010 he was re-elected to represent District 14 and elected by his colleagues to serve as Senate Assistant Majority Leader. He served in that role until January 2018 when he was elected Idaho’s Senate Majority Leader. Since the 2012 redistricting, Senator Winder has represented legislative district 20. He is currently a member of the Senate Education, Transportation, and State Affairs committees.

Some life influences from school to business to my wife, Dianne.

Prior to serving in the Legislature, Senator Winder attended the College of Idaho, where he was elected president of the student body. Following college, he served as a Naval Aviator and flight instructor in the United States Navy. He is a lifetime member of the United States Navy League.

Senator Winder has served his community in many local capacities. He served as a member of the Design Review Committee and Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Boise. He also served 13 years as a Commissioner of the Ada County Highway District. Senator Winder formerly served as the Vice President of Ore-Ida Council, and served four years as Vice President of the Boy Scouts of America. He was the Co-founder and initial President of the Joint School District #2 Education Foundation. He was a Trustee at Albertson’s College of Idaho for twelve years, and for more than twenty years led the evening Bible Study Fellowship for men.

In June, 1995 Senator Winder was appointed by Governor Batt to Chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board, where he served 11 years. In 2002, Senator Winder was appointed to Governor Dirk Kempthorne’s Blue Ribbon Committee regarding reform of Idaho state government. He also served on the Task Force on transportation funding. Senator Winder was appointed by Governor Otter in 2009 to the Endowment Fund Investment Board of Idaho, and still serves on the Board today. Senator Winder is currently Co-Chairman of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) transportation and infrastructure committee and serves as an NCSL education funding fellow.

During his Senate tenure, Senator Winder has served on various Interim Committees, including as Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Lands, Co-Chairman of the Capitol Services Committee, and Co-Chairman of the 2017 Public Education Funding Formula Committee.

Senator Winder resides in Boise with his wife, Dianne. Together, they raised two children and now enjoy spending time with their seven grandchildren.