Idaho State Senator Hoping for Judge Position

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Sen. Les Bock aims to be appointed as a judge and says he'll leave the Senate in 2014 even if he's not named to the bench. The Idaho Statesman reports Bock, a Democrat from Boise, is among 14 people vying for a new judgeship on the 4th District Court bench.

The 2013 Legislature added the post this year. It pays $114,000 annually, plus benefits. Bock, a lawyer, served one term in the Idaho House before switching to the state Senate, where he's in his fifth year.

He says it's "about enough time" and believes it's the appropriate moment for some "new blood" to fill his seat. Bock said he'll support House Assistant Minority Leader Grant Burgoyne, a Boise Democrat and three-term representative, to replace him in the Senate.