Ricks' introduction to politics occurred in the late 1940s and early 1950s when he served as a Republican Precinct Committeeman. He was pressured to run for the Idaho Senate in 1976. He did not run, due to his time-consuming calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as stake president. Because of his calling, he was put in charge of the recovery effort when the Teton Dam collapsed. Ricks was nationally recognized for his leadership in organizing the successful recovery effort. At the urging of the Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives and many other prominent citizens, in 1978 Ricks ran for, and was elected to, the Idaho State Senate, serving his first term in 1979-1980. As a freshman Senator he was chosen to serve on the powerful Joint Finance Committee. This period also marks the beginning of the friendship and collaboration between Ricks and Jim Risch, then Senate Majority Leader. Ricks served in the State Senate with many of Idaho's most influential leaders. As a former seatmate of Larry Craig, Ricks is known for commenting that Craig taught him to be a State Senator, and that "I had some influence on him, to prepare him to become a US Congressman." During his second term in the State Senate Ricks served as the Chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee, and in his third term he was nominated and elected as Senate Majority Leader, with Jim Risch as the President Pro Tem of the Senate. During his tenure as Senate Majority Leader he also worked with Mike Crapo, the Assistant Majority Leader. Ricks was an alternate at-large delegate for Idaho Republican Party for the 1988 Republican National Convention. In 2010 Ricks supported Brad Little for Lieutenant Governor of Idaho. In 2014 Ricks supported Evan Frasure for Secretary of State of Idaho.
40th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
Ricks was appointed lieutenant governor by Governor Jim Risch to fill a vacancy caused by Risch's succession to the governorship in May 2006. Ricks presided over Idaho's 27 Special Session which dealt with the Idaho Property Tax Relief Act of 2006. He was succeeded by Risch, who was reelected lieutenant governor in November 2006. Ricks was not a candidate for public office that year. His appointment was seen by some as an effort by Risch to reach out to voters in the Eastern Idaho region, should Risch decide to run for governor at some point in the. However, Risch dismissed this as "pure speculation."
National Federation of Independent Businesses member
Rexburg Chamber of Commerce member
Legacy
Senator Jim Risch issued this statement when Ricks died in 2016: "Vicki and I were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our good friend Mark Ricks. In the years we served together in the Idaho Senate, I came to know Mark as a man of great character and a loyal friend. When I became Governor I was required to appoint a Lieutenant Governor who would succeed me should I be unable to serve. I could think of no better person than Mark to fulfill that obligation. Mark was a gentleman and a statesman and his reputation for trustworthiness was legendary. He was more than a friend; he was a trusted confidant and advisor to me. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family." Senator Mike Crapo said, "Idaho has lost a great leader, I had a great working relationship with Mark Ricks in the Idaho Senate and as lieutenant governor. His passion for serving Idahoans and attention to legislative detail is what I will remember most."
