WASHINGTON – March 3, 2026 – America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) today presented the 2026 Patrick Butler National Advocacy Award to Jeff Tucker, General Manager of Idaho Public Television, for his work in building relationships and support for public broadcasting within the Idaho congressional delegation, the Idaho state Legislature and federal policymakers.
The APTS Patrick Butler National Advocacy Award, named for APTS’s longest-serving former President and CEO, is presented to station leaders who excel in telling the story of their local station’s work in education, public safety and community connections, and how federal and state funding make that work possible.
“Jeff Tucker is a tireless advocate for public broadcasting, both in Congress and throughout the state of Idaho,” said Kate Riley, President and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations. “Jeff has been an extraordinarily effective champion of our cause, working diligently to engage the Idaho delegation on the essential value of his local public broadcasting station and the important services they provide in communities throughout the state, especially in rural communities.
“Throughout this past, most challenging year, Jeff not only worked incredibly closely with his congressional delegation to make sure they understood the impacts of the rescission and how essential it was that some level of station funding was restored, but he also helped share the same messages with other key federal stakeholders. His assessment of the impacts on his station and other local stations throughout the country in similar positions has added an invaluable and highly trusted perspective to the ongoing discussions about the need for funding for local stations.
“Jeff is well regarded by his congressional delegation and their staff. He has a reputation for being an honest straight shooter and his word bears tremendous weight with decision makers.
“Additionally, year after year, Jeff has relentlessly advocated for state funding for Idaho Public Television, effectively making the case for the critical work the station does throughout the state and how the state investment makes that work possible.
“We are extremely grateful for Jeff’s unwavering and persistent dedication, and we are honored to present him with this most well-deserved 2026 Patrick Butler National Advocacy Award.”
“I am extremely humbled, and oddly enough, a little surprised by this award,” said Jeff Tucker. “I’ll do my best to make Pat Butler proud to have given his name for this honor.
"My approach to successful advocacy has always focused on getting to know a person on a human level. Whether they like you or what you do, it’s important to connect with them as people. Have a conversation. Learn about them. If you can make that personal connection first, the advocacy part seems to happen naturally.”
Jeff Tucker was named General Manager of Idaho Public Television (IdahoPTV) in August 2021. Previously, he served as IdahoPTV’s Director of Content, overseeing programming, education services, digital media and strategy for local productions. As the head of content, he also managed independent and contract work for IdahoPTV as well as content initiatives and other production relationships with state and private entities.
Tucker has held positions as Director/Videographer, Producer/Director and Production Manager at IdahoPTV and overseen the communications and membership departments.
Since 2001, Tucker has helped form strong relationships with state agencies and other private and public organizations. Idaho in Session grew from streamed coverage via a single webcam to fiber-connected multi-camera coverage from the Idaho House, Senate and committee rooms as well as the Idaho Supreme Court. He also oversaw the planning, strategy and initial production for IdahoPTV’s newest long-form history documentary series, Idaho Experience.
Tucker currently serves on the Advisory Board of the University of Idaho’s James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research and the NETA Board of Directors.
The 2026 Patrick Butler National Advocacy Award was presented to Jeff Tucker during the APTS Public Media Summit on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
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About APTS
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization ensuring a strong and financially sound public television system and helping member stations provide essential public services in education, public safety and community connections to their local areas and the American people. For more information, visit www.apts.org.
Contact:
Stacey Karp
202-654-4222
skarp@apts.org