A newly elected Idaho mayor collapsed and died while speaking at a town hall on the evening of March 18, 2026, despite frantic CPR attempts by another mayor who rushed to help.
Rick Hogaboam, 47, suffered a medical episode around 6:45 p.m. during a Treasure Valley Partnership town hall held at Eagle City Hall. The Nampa mayor’s remarks became slurred and he collapsed suddenly in front of shocked colleagues and attendees.
Eagle Mayor Brad Pike, a former firefighter seated to Hogaboam’s right, immediately stepped in and began administering CPR. He was aided by Eagle’s police chief, who was also present. Police, firefighters, and paramedics arrived quickly, but their efforts were not successful.
After first responders worked on Hogaboam for roughly an hour, representatives from the Ada County Coroner’s Office arrived. The city announced he had died at 8:40 p.m.
The tragic incident occurred just over two months after Hogaboam took office as Nampa’s 31st mayor. He was sworn in on Jan. 5, 2026, following his November 2025 election victory with 62.9 percent of the vote over three challengers.
Caldwell Mayor Eric Phillips experienced a separate medical issue while attending the town hall. Phillips was treated outside the venue for chest pain and dizziness and was transported by Ada County Paramedics for what appeared to be an unrelated problem. By March 19 morning, city officials reported he was “doing well.”
Pike told reporters outside Eagle City Hall Wednesday night about the harrowing moments. “Good, bad or indifferent, I was the last person in his life that was touching him when he passed,” Pike told KTVB.
On March 19, the Ada County Coroner identified the cause of death as cardiac tamponade, a condition in which excess fluid builds up in the pericardial sac, compressing the heart and reducing cardiac output, leading to shock.
A Republican and father of five, Hogaboam spent many years in public service across Nampa and Canyon County. He relocated to Nampa from western New York in 2008 and was a devoted Buffalo Bills fan.
Prior to becoming mayor, Hogaboam was chief of staff to former Mayor Debbie Kling from 2020 to 2023. His public service also included time as a city councilman, a temporary Idaho state senator in 2021, and Canyon County clerk, where he oversaw the county budget and elections. He had previously served as a senior pastor at Sovereign Grace Fellowship in Nampa.
Hours before his death, Hogaboam attended training with the Nampa Fire Department and later called the day “beautiful” in a Facebook post.
Condolences poured in from across Idaho politics. Governor Brad Little described the loss as “heartbreaking,” saying Hogaboam “served with a real heart for public service and dedication to the community.”
The Idaho GOP praised Hogaboam as “everything we want our political leaders to be.” Secretary of State Phil McGrane said he was “heartbroken,” recalling their close collaboration when Hogaboam was Canyon County Clerk.
Former Mayor Debbie Kling, who had endorsed Hogaboam as her successor, said she was “deeply grieved and saddened” by his death and called him “a talented, smart leader who served with integrity and a servant’s heart.”
The City of Nampa asked residents to keep Hogaboam’s family in their thoughts and prayers. The Treasure Valley Partnership offered condolences, praising him as an outstanding public servant, devoted family man, and true friend.
Nampa City Council president David Bills is serving as acting mayor. The council will appoint an interim mayor to serve until a special mayoral election in November. A public memorial service for Hogaboam is set for Tuesday, March 31, at 5 p.m. at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.
Hogaboam is survived by his wife Mimi, five children, and a grandchild.