Governor Brad Little Files for Name Change to 'Brad Big'

On Tuesday, Idaho Republican Governor Brad Little took the first steps to legally change his name.

Gov. Brad Little speaking during a visit to the White House

On Tuesday, Idaho Republican Governor Brad Little took the first steps to legally change his name. Standing on the steps at the Ada County Courthouse, Governor Little said the change has been long overdue.

"I've wanted to change my name for a long time."

“I’ve never associated myself with being little,” the first-term Governor said. “I've wanted to change my name for a long time. Ever since I was a child I wanted a name that was more representative of who I am.”

Following the Governor’s filling, he will now be required to publish the notice in a local county paper for four consecutive weeks, as mandated by Idaho law.

Although the Governor is taking the appropriate steps, the name change is not set in stone. Those who file a legal name change petition must attend a court hearing where they must make their case in front of a county judge. In some cases, these petitions are denied.

Opponents of the governor’s name change have plans to attend the hearing, claiming the change is unnecessary and will cost taxpayers money.

The Idaho State Capitol

“Think about all the stationary we’re going to have to replace now,” State Representative, Max Baloney said. “You’ve got cards, letterheads, and engraved pens that are going to have to be re-ordered. It’s going to be very expensive and I certainly hope the Governor doesn’t expect the state to buy a whole new set of personalized items.”

The hearing date has not been set. The public will have to wait until after the four-week public notices have been published. Despite the opposition, Governor Little is confident that the petition will be approved. As of January, he has begun to sign state documents with his desired name, which some critics say are jeopardizing the legal process.

Representative Stuart Clifford of Coeur d’Alene said, “If the governor’s name doesn’t get passed the hearing then every single bill he’s signed as ‘Brad Big’ will be effectively null and void.”

This raises certain legal questions that critics say could be a ‘big’ issue.

“What is George Washington changed his name in the middle of his presidency?” Clifford said. “We wouldn’t know what to call the capitol or the State of Washington. It would be a mess.”

The governor says he will still answer to Brad ‘Little’ for now, but says, “As soon as the petition is approved I will stop appearing at any hearings and opening any mail addressed to Brad Little. Those are going straight to the trash.”

Other names the Governor considered were, Huge, Large, and Great.

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