Update on May 12, 2020: State Rep. Thyra Stevenson (R-Lewiston) has died one week after suffering a heart attack.
Stevenson collapsed at the home of a friend last week and was originally listed in critical condition when she arrived at an area hospital before being upgraded to serious condition, according to the Lewiston Tribune.
She was 75-years-old.
A friend had told the newspaper her current Republican Party primary race had taken a toll on her.
Originally from Palo Alto, California, she earned multiple degrees from Boston University, NYU and a PhD in Latin American Literature from University of Washington.
Stevenson also had a vast career before entering into politics. She taught Spanish at the University of Washington, worked as a flotilla commander for the U.S. Coast Guard and flew freight planes.
Republicans in the Lewiston area will nominate three choices for Gov. Brad Little to replace her through the end of this year.
The Tribune reports it’s too late to remove her name from the May primary ballot. If she wins, it’d be up to the local Republican legislative district committee to appoint someone to run in her place before the General Election.
Original post from May 6, 2020
State Rep. Thyra Stevenson (R-Lewiston) was hospitalized after suffering an apparent heart attack Monday night.
The Lewiston Tribune reports Stevenson was having dinner with a friend Monday night when she suddenly dropped her laptop. Her friend performed CPR on her until an ambulance arrived.
The 75-year-old lawmaker was originally listed in critical condition Tuesday before being upgraded to serious later that evening, according to the newspaper.
Stevenson is currently seeking a fourth term in office and faces a serious primary challenger for the Republican nomination.
Her friend told the Tribune the election had been weighing on her, as had rumors about her not living in her district.
The Idaho Secretary of State’s office dismissed a complaint on the matter, saying she may have lived at multiple addresses, but maintained her residency in Lewis County.
Her seatmate, Rep. Mike Kingsley (R-Lewiston), and her primary challenger offered prayers and wished her a speedy recovery.
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