Republican Idaho Mayor Rick Hogaboam, 47, dies after collapsing during public event

NAMPA, IDAHO: A routine public meeting in Idaho turned tragic when Rick Hogaboam, the recently elected mayor of Nampa, collapsed while addressing attendees and could not be revived.

The 47-year-old leader was speaking at a regional town hall in Eagle on Wednesday, March 18, evening when he suffered what officials later described as a medical emergency, cutting short both his remarks and a political career that had only just entered a new chapter.

Mayor Rick Hogaboam collapses mid-speech in Idaho

Hogaboam was in the middle of delivering remarks at a Treasure Valley Partnership town hall when he suddenly collapsed around 6.45 pm, according to local reports.

Seated beside him was Eagle Mayor Brad Pike, who immediately sprang into action and began administering CPR as others rushed to assist.

The meeting was quickly halted as law enforcement officers, firefighters and medical personnel arrived at the scene to take over emergency efforts.

Despite those attempts, Hogaboam could not be revived and was later pronounced dead. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the medical emergency.

Rick Hogaboam recently became Nampa's mayor

Hogaboam had only recently stepped into his role as mayor of Nampa after securing a decisive victory in the 2025 November elections.

He won 62.86% of the vote, defeating three opponents to become the city’s 31st mayor.

In a poignant detail, Hogaboam had spent part of his final day attending a training session with the Nampa Fire Department, where he reportedly spoke about enjoying the “beautiful day”, a moment that now stands in stark contrast to the events that followed hours later.

He is survived by his wife, Mimi, and his five children and a grandchild.

With his sudden passing, city officials in Nampa will now be tasked with appointing a successor to serve until the next scheduled mayoral election.

Tributes for Rick Hogaboam pour in from across Idaho

News of Hogaboam’s sudden death prompted an outpouring of grief from political colleagues and community leaders across the state.

Members of the Idaho House Republican caucus remembered him not just as a politician, but as a person deeply committed to his community, saying he was “more than a public servant.”

The Idaho Republican Party also paid tribute, calling Hogaboam “everything we want our political leaders to be.”

Attorney General Raul R. Labrador  also paid a tribute to Hogaboam remembering him as “one of the kindest, most thoughtful people in public service.” 

Jim Risch, US senator for Idaho also expressed shock and grief at Hogaboam's passing.