Chuck Winder


Chuck Winder is an American politician and former Republican member of the Idaho Senate. He served as the president pro tempore of the Idaho Senate and as the majority leader. He is married to Dianne Winder; the couple has two children.

Early life, education, and career

Winder joined the United States Navy where he served for four years on active duty as a naval aviator and for eight years on inactive reserve. He received a bachelor's degree in political science and pre-law from the College of Idaho.
Winder is a commercial real estate brokerage.

Political career

He ran for the Republican nomination in 1994 for Governor of Idaho losing with 13.5% of the vote.
He is a former member of the Ada County Highway District Commission. He previously served on both the Boise City Design Review Committee and the Boise Planning and Zoning Commission.
In 2003, Winder ran for mayor of Boise, Idaho, but lost to David H. Bieter.
From 2005 through 2008, Winder was a co-chair of the Treasure Valley's Coalition for Regional Public Transportation. In 2008, the coalition merged with the statewide Moving Idaho Forward organization.
Winder serves as the president pro tempore of the Idaho Senate, and previously served as majority leader.
Winder lost the Republican nomination on May 21, 2024.
YearCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPctCandidateVotesPct
2008 Primary2,71542.7%2,07632.6%1,32720.8%2473.9%
2008 General27,253100%
2010 Primary6,762100%
2010 General20,674100%

In the Republican Party presidential primaries, 2012 Winder supported Mitt Romney.

Organizations