POCATELLO, Idaho — Residents of Bannock County and the surrounding Southeast Idaho region are set to gather at Idaho State University next week for what organizers are calling an “empty chair” town hall meeting, after Idaho’s congressional delegation declined invitations to attend.
The event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Wood River Room of the ISU Student Union Building, located at 1065 South 8th Avenue in Pocatello. Organizers say the public forum will go forward regardless of the absence of elected representatives, giving community members an opportunity to voice concerns and opinions on a range of issues at the federal level.
Idaho Delegation Declines Invitation
Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with House Representative Mike Simpson — all Idaho Republicans — declined to participate in the town hall. Their absence is what prompted organizers to adopt the “empty chair” format, a style of public meeting that has gained traction across the country in recent years as a way for constituents to express their views even when their elected officials choose not to be present.
The offices of Crapo, Risch, and Simpson have not publicly commented on the specific reasons for declining. Congressional representatives and senators are not obligated to attend locally organized public events, and many offices cite scheduling conflicts, security concerns, or preference for separately organized official events as reasons for declining unsolicited invitations.
Crapo and Risch serve Idaho in the United States Senate, while Simpson represents Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses Pocatello, Chubbuck, and the broader Bannock County area.
What to Expect at the Forum
The Wood River Room at ISU’s Student Union Building is a familiar public gathering space in Pocatello and can accommodate a sizeable community audience. Organizers have indicated that residents will have the opportunity to speak their minds on issues of concern during the two-hour session.
Empty chair town halls typically involve attendees addressing remarks directly toward vacant seats representing their absent elected officials. The format has been used in communities across Idaho and the United States as a form of civic expression and public engagement, particularly during periods of political debate over federal policy and spending priorities.
Events of this nature have become more common in Idaho and nationally since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term in January 2025, as debates over federal budget priorities, government agency restructuring, and other national policy matters have generated increased public interest and concern among some constituents.
Idaho is a reliably Republican state, and Bannock County’s congressional representatives have generally aligned with the priorities of the Trump administration and the broader Republican majority in Congress. Still, Pocatello — home to Idaho State University — has historically leaned more moderate compared to other parts of Southeast Idaho, and the forum reflects an active segment of the local population seeking direct engagement with their elected officials.
Civic Participation in Bannock County
Public engagement events of this kind reflect ongoing interest among Bannock County residents in making their voices heard at the federal level, even when direct access to elected officials is limited. Town halls and public forums, whether attended by officials or not, remain a cornerstone of civic life in communities like Pocatello.
ISU’s Student Union Building is centrally located on the Pocatello campus and is regularly used for public events, making it an accessible venue for residents throughout the county and the broader Southeast Idaho region.
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What Comes Next
The empty chair town hall is scheduled for Monday, April 6, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Wood River Room of the Idaho State University Student Union Building at 1065 South 8th Avenue in Pocatello. The event is open to the public. Bannock County News will continue to follow the story and report on the proceedings and any response from the offices of Senators Crapo and Risch or Representative Simpson.