Rick Hogaboam, the recently elected Mayor of Nampa, Idaho, born on December 27, 1978, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the age of 47. His death, officially confirmed by the Ada County Coroner's office as cardiac tamponade—a rare and life-threatening condition involving fluid buildup around the heart—occurred following a medical emergency during a town hall meeting in Eagle, Idaho. His unexpected passing has left the community, colleagues, and loved ones in profound shock and mourning. Mayor Hogaboam had only been sworn into office a little over two months prior, but his dedication to public service and his vision for Nampa were already widely recognized and deeply appreciated.

Hogaboam's commitment to public service was extensive and spanned various levels of government in Idaho. He moved to the state in 2008 from western New York, quickly embedding himself in the civic life of Nampa and Canyon County. His career was marked by a unique distinction, having served across city, county, and state jurisdictions, and working within the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government.

Prior to his mayoral tenure, Hogaboam served as a Nampa City Councilman, where he began building a reputation for thoughtful leadership and a data-driven approach to decision-making. In this role, he acted as a liaison for the library and police contract negotiations, and as an alternate for COMPASS. He strongly advocated for public safety, championed ordinances to empower law enforcement to combat human trafficking, and supported impact fee revisions to ensure growth adequately supported law enforcement, transportation, and parks.

He then served for nearly four years as Chief of Staff to former Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling, a role in which he oversaw various municipal functions including risk management and government affairs. As Nampa's designated ADA coordinator, he guided the city's transition plan update and advanced key capital projects to improve accessibility to public facilities and services. He also served as the lead negotiator for collective bargaining agreements with the Nampa Police Association, supporting personnel additions and increased wages, and was one of three trustees on the Nampa Employee Health Trust, overseeing employee health benefits and finances.

Under his supervision as risk management coordinator, Nampa received the Excellence in Risk Management Award in 2022 from ICRMP, leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer savings through improved safety and reduced claims. His experience also included a brief period as a substitute Idaho State Senator in 2021, further broadening his understanding of state-level policy. He oversaw legislative interns and coordinated communications with federal delegation staff, advocating for property tax reform and helping secure millions for transportation improvements through a strategic initiatives grant.

In early 2024, Hogaboam was appointed as the Canyon County Clerk, taking on significant responsibilities for managing the county's budget, elections, and court services. He was also the chair for District 3 of the Idaho Association of Counties, advocating for policy and legislative reform. These diverse experiences prepared him for the highest office in Nampa, to which he was elected on November 4, 2025, and officially sworn in as Nampa's 31st Mayor on January 5, 2026.

Academically, Mayor Hogaboam was highly accomplished, holding a Master's in Public Administration from Corban University, where he was recognized with the Distinguished Graduate Award. He also earned a certificate in executive leadership from Cornell University, alongside numerous other certifications in areas such as project management, public finance, non-profit management, human resources, contract negotiation, and emergency management. He was known for championing transparency and accountability, always striving for efficient governance that was responsive to citizens' needs. He was also a graduate of Leadership Nampa with the Nampa Chamber of Commerce and a champion of local businesses.

Beyond his professional life, Rick Hogaboam was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, survived by his wife Mimi, their five children, and a grandchild. His deep faith was a cornerstone of his life; he served as a pastor for almost a decade and was the Executive Director of the Lifeline Pregnancy Center. He also helped facilitate the purchase of property and fundraising for the founding of The Nesting Place, a support home for pregnant women in need. He volunteered in local homeless shelters and coached Challenger League (special needs baseball). He was an avid reader, a baseball fan, a former high school varsity baseball coach, and a collector of baseball cards.

In honor of Mayor Hogaboam, Idaho Governor Brad Little ordered flags across the state to fly at half-staff. Numerous officials and organizations, including Idaho House Republicans, Senate Democratic Leader Melissa Wintrow, House Democratic Leader Ilana Rubel, State Sen. Ali Rabe, the Association of Idaho Cities, Nampa Police Department, Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, and Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, issued statements expressing shock and sadness, remembering his dedication and faith. Northwest Nazarene University hosted a prayer vigil in his memory, and Senate Chaplain Doug Armstrong highlighted his deep faith during a prayer at the state legislature. Nampa City Council President David Bills was voted in as acting mayor following Hogaboam's death, ensuring continuity of city operations. His legacy of service, kindness, and unwavering dedication to Nampa will be deeply missed and remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.