Butch Otter
Butch Otter | |
---|---|
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho | |
In office January 5, 1987 – January 3, 2001 | |
Governor | Cecil Andrus Phil Batt Dirk Kempthorne |
Preceded by | David Leroy |
Succeeded by | Jack Riggs |
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives | |
In office December 1, 1972 – December 1, 1976 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Clement Leroy Otter May 3, 1942 Caldwell, Idaho, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouses | |
Children | 4 |
Education | College of Idaho (BA) |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1968–1973 |
Unit | Idaho Army National Guard |
Clement Leroy "Butch" Otter (born May 3, 1942) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 32nd
Early life, education and business career (1942–1972)
Born in Caldwell, Idaho into a small Roman Catholic family of limited means, his parents were Regina Mary (née Buser) and Joseph Bernard Otter.[1][2] His father was a journeyman electrician, and the family lived in many rural locations in the Midwest and West during his youth, attending fifteen different schools.
His nickname "Butch" was the result of a few schoolyard fights which resulted in minor bruises; Catholic nuns had initially nicknamed him "Clem" after a character in the
Otter briefly attended
Otter's business experience includes thirty years with
Early political career (1972–1986)
Idaho legislature
His first bid for elective office was in 1972; he won a seat in the state legislature from Canyon County, and was re-elected to the House in 1974 serving until 1976.[4]
1978 gubernatorial election
In January 1977, incumbent Democratic Governor
The nominees of both parties were Mormon, marking the first time in state history one would be elected governor.[9] Incumbent Evans was unopposed in the Democratic primary and won the general election in November with nearly sixty percent of the vote; it was the third of six consecutive victories by Democrats.
State politics
After losing the gubernatorial primary, he was on the Idaho Republican Party Central Committee and was Chairman of the Canyon County Republican Party.[10]
Reagan administration
After Ronald Reagan won the presidency in 1980, he appointed Otter to the administration's Task Force on International Private Enterprise, the World Bank's Agricultural Advisory Committee, and the Center for International Private Enterprise.
Lieutenant governor (1987–2001)
In 1986, Otter returned to Idaho politics and was elected lieutenant governor, and reelected in 1990, 1994, and 1998. He served under three different governors, Democrat Cecil Andrus, and Republicans Phil Batt and Dirk Kempthorne. In 1991, when the Idaho Senate was evenly divided between 21 Republicans and 21 Democrats, Otter's tie-breaking votes kept the body under GOP control. Midway through his fourth term in 2001 (14 years), Otter resigned to take his congressional seat in Washington, D.C.; he is the longest-serving lieutenant governor in Idaho history.
U.S. House of Representatives (2001–2007)
Elections
Congresswoman
Otter entered the Republican primary, and immediately became the favorite due to his name recognition as lieutenant governor. He won handily, and breezed to victory in November, and was re-elected in
Tenure
In Congress, Otter was largely conservative with a slight libertarian streak, as reflected in his opposition to the Patriot Act. He was one of three Republicans (along with Bob Ney of Ohio and Ron Paul of Texas) to vote against the Act in 2001.
He since stated that "much of the USA PATRIOT Act is needed to help protect us in a dangerous age of stateless zealots and mindless violence". Otter was also very critical of the
LGBT rights
He supports a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between "one man and one woman."[11]
Gun laws
He has been a strong advocate for Second Amendment rights and opposes federal restrictions on gun sales.[12]
Economy
On economic issues, he has voted for a 2001 bankruptcy overhaul requiring partial debt repayment. He supports a balanced budget amendment to the US Constitution and supports broad-based tax cuts including eliminating the estate and marriage taxes. He has supported expanding free-trade agreements with nations such as Singapore and Chile.[citation needed]
Health care
He has voted for medical malpractice and tort reform. He has voted to allow importation of prescription drugs and has supported small business associations to reduce health insurance costs via collaborative efforts.[citation needed]
Foreign policy
Otter voted to authorize the 2003 invasion of Iraq.[13]
Committee assignments
- U.S. House Committee on Resources
- U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
- U.S. House Committee on Government Reform
- U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce[14]
Governor of Idaho (2007–2019)
2006 election
In December 2005, Otter announced his candidacy for the gubernatorial seat in 2006. Otter won the May Republican primary with 70% of the vote, defeating three opponents[15]
In the general election, he faced Democrat
State Republican Party chairman Kirk Sullivan told the paper that the race appeared to be closer than normal because of a strong national trend against the Republicans. Otter pulled away in the final week, and won the election 53%–44%, the closest gubernatorial race since 1994.[16]
First term
Otter has recommended an increase in Idaho state educational funding by $1.36 billion as well as expanding needs-based scholarships for college-bound students. Otter supports expanding offshore oil drilling and supports tax incentives for development of alternative fuels. He has stated that the US should set a goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025.
On January 11, 2007, Otter announced his support for a "gray wolf kill," in which all but 100 of Idaho's recently recovered population would be eradicated, pending the forthcoming
In the summer of 2007, actress Dawn Wells, the original Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island, presented Governor Butch Otter with the Idaho Visionary Award for work he had done supporting Idaho filmmakers at the SpudFest Family Film and Music Festival that she founded in Driggs, Idaho.[19]
2010 election
In the Republican primary, he had five opponents file against him. He won re-nomination with just 55% of the vote.
Second term
He was sworn into his second term on January 7, 2011. In the first State of the State in his second term, he proposed the elimination of
In April 2011, Otter issued an
In 2013, the
In May 2016, CCA, which had by then changed its name to CoreCivic, was found in contempt of court for having failed to comply with a court order regarding the Idaho State Correctional Institution. In an apparent attempt to increase profits, the company had been assigning too few staff to the prison and it submitted false staffing reports in order to appear to be in compliance.[29]
In March 2014 Otter established the "Wolf Control Fund and State Board" which continues his policy of exterminating wolves in Idaho.
2014 election
In November 2014, Otter was elected to a third consecutive term as governor.[30]
Third term
Senate Bill 1146a, which would have legalized
In his veto, Otter stated:
It ignores ongoing scientific testing on alternative treatments ... It asks us to trust but not to verify. It asks us to legalize the limited use of cannabidiol oil, contrary to federal law. And it asks us to look past the potential for misuse and abuse with criminal intent.[32]
For the
In May 2016, CCA, which had changed its name to CoreCivic, was found in contempt of court for having failed to comply with a court order regarding the Idaho State Correctional Institution. In an apparent attempt to increase profits, the company had been assigning too few staff to the prison. They submitted false staffing reports to appear to be in compliance.[34]
In July 2017, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton led a group of Republican Attorneys General from nine other states, and also including Otter, in threatening the Donald Trump administration that they would litigate if the president did not terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy that had been put into place by president Barack Obama. Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery subsequently reversed his position and withdrew his participation from the proposed suit on August 31. Slatery went further to urge passage of the DREAM Act.[35][36]
On January 5, 2019, the State Central Committee of the Idaho Republican Party passed a resolution condemning and censuring Otter ultimately over endorsing an independent candidate over a candidate nominated in the previous May primary.[37][38]
Personal life
In 1964, Otter married Gay Simplot (b. 1945), the sister of Scott Simplot and only daughter of J. R. Simplot. After 28 years of marriage, the couple amicably divorced in 1992. The marriage was later annulled by the Catholic Church.[39]
In 2006, Otter married his longtime girlfriend
Drunk driving arrest
In August 1992, Otter was pulled over on Interstate 84 near Meridian for suspicion of driving under the influence. He said the arresting officer observed him swerving as he was reaching for his cowboy hat, which had been blown off by the wind in his open car. Otter offered several explanations for failing the field sobriety test including: his stocking feet were stung by weeds and gravel, he had run eight miles (13 km) and his knee hurt, he was hungry, and that he had soaked his chewing tobacco in Jack Daniel's. A jury convicted Otter in March 1993, and he was sentenced to 72 hours of community service and 16 hours at an alcohol treatment program, fined $700, and had his license revoked.[42][43]
He publicly admitted the incident could have ended his political career;
Electoral history
Year | Democratic | Votespe | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1986 | Marjorie Ruth Moon | Butch Otter | |||||||||||
1990 | (unopposed) | Butch Otter (inc.) | 246,132 | 100% | |||||||||
1994 | John Peavey | 191,625 | 47.4% | Butch Otter (inc.) | 213,009 | 52.6% | |||||||
1998 | Sue Reents | 133,688 | 35.6% | Butch Otter (inc.) | 225,704 | 60.2% | Alan Stroud | American Heritage | 15,769 | 4.2% |
Idaho Lieutenant Governor Republican primary election, 1990 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Republican | Butch Otter (inc.) | 73,292 | 69.6% |
Republican | Robert Forrey | 31,963 | 30.4% |
Idaho Lieutenant Governor Republican primary election, 1994 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Republican | Butch Otter (inc.) | 46,805 | 39.7% |
Republican | Dean Sorenson | 38,963 | 33.1% |
Republican | Dean Haagenson | 32,037 | 27.2% |
Year | Democratic | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000
|
Linda Pall | 84,080 | 31.4% | Butch Otter | 173,743 | 64.8% | Ronald G. Wittig | Libertarian | 6,093 | 2.3% | Kevin P. Hambsch | Reform | 4,200 | 1.6% | ||||
2002
|
Betty Richardson | 80,269 | 38.9% | Butch Otter (inc.) | 120,743 | 58.6% | Steve Gothard | Libertarian | 5,129 | 2.5% | ||||||||
2004
|
Naomi Preston | 90,927 | 30.5% | Butch Otter (inc.) | 207,662 | 69.5% |
Idaho's 1st Congressional district Republican primary election, 2000 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Republican | Butch Otter | 41,516 | 47.6% |
Republican | Dennis Mansfield | 23,559 | 27.0% |
Republican | Ron McMurray | 14,434 | 16.6% |
Republican | Craig Benjamin | 2,966 | 3.4% |
Republican | "Big Jim" Pratt | 1,281 | 1.5% |
Republican | Gene Summa | 1,240 | 1.4% |
Republican | David Shepherd | 1,181 | 1.4% |
Republican | Harley Brown | 983 | 1.1% |
Idaho's 1st Congressional district Republican primary election, 2004 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Republican | Butch Otter (inc.) | 48,986 | 78.5% |
Republican | Jim Pratt | 13,433 | 21.5% |
Year | Democratic | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006
|
Jerry Brady
|
198,845 | 44.1% | Butch Otter | 237,437 | 52.7% | Pro-Life (politician)
|
Constitution | 7,309 | 1.6% | Steve Gothard | Libertarian | 7,241 | 1.6% | ||||
2010
|
Keith G. Allred
|
148,680 | 32.9% | Butch Otter (inc.) | 267,483 | 59.1% | Jana Kemp | Independent | 26,655 | 5.9% | Ted Dunlap | Libertarian | 5,867 | 1.3% | ||||
2014
|
A.J. Balukoff
|
169,556 | 38.6% | Butch Otter (inc.) | 235,405 | 53.5% | John Bujak | Libertarian | 17,884 | 4.1% | Jill Humble | Independent | 8,801 | 2.0% |
Idaho Gubernatorial Republican primary election, 2006 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Republican | Butch Otter | 96,045 | 70.0% |
Republican | Dan Adamson | 29,093 | 21.2% |
Republican | Jack Alan Johnson | 7,652 | 5.6% |
Republican | Walt Bayes | 4,385 | 3.2% |
Idaho Gubernatorial Republican primary election, 2010 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Republican | Butch Otter (inc.) | 89,117 | 54.6% |
Republican | Rex Rammell | 42,436 | 26.0% |
Republican | Sharon M. Ullman | 13,749 | 8.4% |
Republican | Ron "Pete" Peterson | 8,402 | 5.2% |
Republican | Walt Bayes | 4,825 | 3.0% |
Republican | Tamara Wells | 4,544 | 2.8% |
Republican | Fred Nichols (write-in) | 38 | 0.0% |
Idaho Gubernatorial Republican primary election, 2014 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Republican | Butch Otter (inc.) | 79,779 | 51.4% |
Republican | Russ Fulcher | 67,694 | 43.6% |
Republican | Harley Brown | 5,084 | 3.3% |
Republican | Walt Bayes | 2,753 | 1.8% |
References
- ^ a b "Butch Otter Rides Again". Reason.com. October 13, 2006. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ISBN 9780837909356.
- ^ Rothstein, Betsy (April 6, 2005). "From 'Mr. Tight Jeans' to gubernatorial hopeful". Archived from the original on July 13, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ^ "Idaho Governor". Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
- ^ "Simplot executive seeks GOP nod for Idaho post". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. June 3, 1977. p. 15. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ "Butch Otter: Republican for Governor". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). (advertisement). August 2, 1978. p. 5A.
- ^ "ID Governor - R Primary Race - Aug 08, 1978". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on September 30, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ "Idaho GOP governor vote close". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. August 9, 1978. p. 1. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ a b "Larsen upsets Ravenscroft in GOP". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. August 9, 1978. p. 1A. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ "Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter - The State of Idaho". Gov.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ Idaho, State of. "Press Release". gov.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on February 4, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
- ^ "Butch Otter on the Issues". Issues2000.org. Archived from the original on September 7, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
- ^ "H.J.Res. 114 (107th): Authorization for Use of Military Force Against ... -- House Vote #455 -- Oct 10, 2002". GovTrack.us. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ "Candidate - C.L. "Butch" Otter". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on September 30, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ "ID Governor - R Primary Race - May 23, 2006". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ "ID Governor Race - Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ "Idahoans weigh in on ending wolf protections". NBC News. March 7, 2007. Archived from the original on April 5, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
- ^ "Wolves Or Taters?". ESPN. August 28, 2009. Archived from the original on January 6, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ "BSpudfest Coming Soon". Rexburg Standard Journal. July 10, 2007. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
- ^ "ID Governor - R Primary Race - May 25, 2010". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ "ID Governor Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ "Idaho's Tom Luna offers sweeping school overhaul plan". February 25, 2011. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
- ^ Daniel C. Vock (March 18, 2011). "Idaho governor signs anti-tenure teacher law". Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
- ^ "Idaho governor blocks federal health care reform law". CNN. April 21, 2011. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012.
- The Huffington Post. Archived from the originalon April 12, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
- Seattle Times, February 18, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ Rebecca Boone, "FBI investigating CCA, Nashville-based private prison operator", AP. Tennessean, March 7, 2014; retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ Idaho to take over privately-run state prison Archived September 10, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, USA Today, Rebecca Boone (AP), January 3, 2014; retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ Lonnie, Burton (March 14, 2017). "Corrections Corporation of America Held in Contempt of Court for Falsifying Records at Idaho Prison". Prison Legal News. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ "Nov 04, 2014 General Election Results". Idaho Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 1, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- ^ "Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell news by Idaho Statesman". Idaho Statesman. April 16, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
- ^ Russell, Betsy Z. (April 16, 2015). "Otter vetoes bill to allow CBD oil to be used to treat sick Idaho kids". The Spokesman-Review. Spokesman. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
- ^ "Idaho Gov. Otter endorses John Kasich for president". KBOI. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
- ^ Lonnie, Burton (March 14, 2017). "Corrections Corporation of America Held in Contempt of Court for Falsifying Records at Idaho Prison". Prison Legal News. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- Vox.com, September 1, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- Texas Tribune, June 29, 2017; retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ Riley, Bunch (January 5, 2019). "Idaho GOP passes new rules, resolutions; Gov. Little swears in Fulcher amid constituents". Idaho Press. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ Jensen, Matthew (January 5, 2019). "Idaho Republican Party Submitted Proposed Resolutions 2019 State Central Committee Winter Meeting January 4 – 5, 2019" (PDF). idgop.org. Idaho Republican Party. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ Boone, Rebecca. Wedding draws near for Otter, Easley Archived February 9, 2016, at the Wayback Machine August 3, 2006; retrieved January 17, 2016.
- ^ Miller, John (October 28, 2006). "Beauty queen, civil rights marcher could be first lady". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Idaho-Washington. Associated Press. p. 7A. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ Boone, Rebecca (August 19, 2006). "Otter and Easley exchange vows". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Idaho-Washington. Associated Press. p. 5A.
- ^ "A second chance for Lieutenant Governor". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. (Idaho-Washington). March 11, 1993. p. 10A.
- ^ a b Kenyon, Quane (April 20, 1993). "Butch Otter fined, loses license". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. B3.
External links
- Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter official government website
- Butch Otter for Governor Archived October 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- Butch Otter at Curlie
- Appearances on C-SPAN