# 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.
District 14 Senate - Part of Ada County :
| Year | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct |
| 2008 Primary | Chuck Winder | 2,715 | 42.7% | Stan Bastian (incumbent) | 2,076 | 32.6% | Saundra McDavid | 1,327 | 20.8% | Henry Kulczyk | 247 | 3.9% |
| 2008 General | Chuck Winder | 27,253 | 100% | | | | | | | | | |
| 2010 Primary | Chuck Winder (incumbent) | 6,762 | 100% | | | | | | | | | |
| 2010 General | Chuck Winder (incumbent) | 20,674 | 100% | | | | | | | | | |
District 20 Senate - Part of Ada County :
| Year | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct |
| 2012 Primary | Chuck Winder (incumbent) | 2,290 | 55.5% | | | |
| 2012 General | Chuck Winder (incumbent) | 12,303 | 68.4% | James Mace | 5,695 | 31.6% |
| 2014 Primary | Chuck Winder (incumbent) | 2,642 | 100% | | | |
| 2014 General | Chuck Winder (incumbent) | 10,155 | 100% | | | |
| 2016 Primary | Chuck Winder (incumbent) | 2,000 | 100% | | | |
| 2016 General | Chuck Winder (incumbent) | 13,787 | 67.9% | Bill Rutherford | 6,525 | 32.1% |
In the Republican Party presidential primaries, 2012 Winder supported Mitt Romney.

## Organizations

* Lifetime member of United States Navy League
* Vice President of Ore-Ida Council, Boy Scouts of America, 4 years
* Boise Metro Economic Development Council
* Children's Home Society of Idaho.
* Junior Achievement of Idaho (former president)
* Co-chairman Treasure Valley Transit Coalition
* Board of Directors Jeker Family Trust
* Board of Directors Children's Home Society of Idaho
* Boise Chamber of Commerce
* Valley Initiative for Prosperity
* Co-founder and initial President, Joint School District #2, Education Foundation
* Idaho Coordinator for the National Prayer Breakfast
* Chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board, 11 years
* Co-chairman of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force
* Trustee at Albertson's College of Idaho, 12 years
* Bible Study Fellowship (Boise Evening Men's), 20+ years
* Boise City Planning & Zoning Commission, 3 years
* Boise City Design & Review Committee, 4 years
* Ada County Highway District Commission, 12.5 years
* Ada Planning Association, 12.5 years