For the second time in as many years, a husband and wife from Pocatello will serve together in the Idaho Legislature. 

It was announced on Wednesday that Democrat Eva Nye, whose husband Mark is a state senator, will serve as a substitute for Rep. Chris Abernathy, D-Pocatello, who requested leave after his daughter’s mother passed away Tuesday.

“I’m down here in Pocatello for a couple days and will be back to the Legislature on Monday,” Abernathy said. “It’s been a rough night and will be a tough next couple days, but we’re going to just push through this so that I can get to Boise and get back to work.”

Nye served on the Pocatello City Council for almost 14 years. Abernathy said he truly appreciated that Nye was already in Boise because of her husband’s commitment to the Senate and could easily fill-in until he returns.

“Nye stepping in for me is very valuable,” Abernathy said. “She is a great lady and I truly appreciate her helping me out.

In January 2017, Nye replaced retired Sen. Roy Lacey, D-Pocatello, who had been substituting for Rep. Elaine Smith in the Idaho House during the first two weeks of the session due to Smith encountering a health-related absence.

Smith was receiving treatment for problems related to her heart at a hospital in Salt Lake City.

Though Nye doesn’t have any experience in the Idaho House, her time on the Pocatello City Council has left her abreast on how governments function. The committees Nye will be serving on in Abernathy’s absence are education, commerce and agricultural. She said she has yet to vote on any bills but could do so on Thursday.

“Abernathy and I are on the same page in terms of how we would vote, so I am sure that is why he chose me over other Democrats,” Nye said. “You vote what you feel is right and how it would affect the greater good.”

Despite twice being an interim legislator, Nye said she has no plans of running for a state-elected position on her own accord. Nonetheless, her time in the Legislature has gained praise from the Idaho Democratic Party.

“Her experience and her skill in this arena is invaluable, especially now when you have such a tragic situation that happened all of the sudden,” said Jeremy Gugino, communication deputy for the Idaho House and Senate Democrats. “With someone like Eva and her caliber who can just step right in and operate in the state Legislature with her knowledge and expertise, that is a great value to everyone involved.”