Dirk Kempthorne
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Dirk Arthur Kempthorne (born October 29, 1951 in San Diego, California), is the current United States Secretary of the Interior, serving since May 2006. A Republican, Kempthorne previously served as Governor and as a United States Senator from Idaho.
In the 1980s and early 1990s, Kempthorne was mayor of Boise for seven years. Over the course of his long career in public service, Kempthorne established a reputation, even among his opponents, as a consensus-building leader and competent manager with a strong understanding of policy. [Idaho Governor Selected to Lead Interior Dept.] - Michael Janofsky, The New York Times, March 17, 2006
Kempthorne is notable for his conservative views, particularly on economic issues.
Early life, education, and early career
Kempthorne was raised in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1976. While there he served a term as student body president. Upon graduation Kempthorne served as an assistant to the director of the Idaho Department of Lands and then as executive vice president of the Idaho Home Builders Association.
Kempthorne managed the gubernatorial campaign for Phil Batt in 1982. Batt lost to Democrat John V. Evans. [Dirk Kempthorne] - NNDB, accessed March 17, 2006 In 1983 Kempthorne became state public affairs manager for FMC Corporation.
Political career
Mayor of Boise
Kempthorne's first major political victory was in 1985 when he was elected mayor of Boise. As mayor Kempthorne became very popular and was reelected in 1989 unopposed.U.S. Senator
In 1992 Kempthorne defeated Democratic U.S. Representative Richard H. Stallings for the Senate seat held by Steve Symms, who was retiring. In the Senate Kempthorne sponsored and helped pass a bill meant to prohibit Congress from imposing unfunded federal mandates on states.Governor of Idaho
Kempthorne was expected to run for reelection in 1998, but instead decided to run in the open seat gubernatorial race after the incumbent, Phil Batt, shocked the state by announcing his retirement after only one term in office.
Kempthorne won the ensuing election in a landslide, receiving 68 percent of the vote while his Democratic opponent, Robert Huntley, received only 29 percent. He was reelected in 2002 with 56 percent of the vote, compared to his Democratic opponent, Jerry Brady, who polled 42 percent. Kempthorne's campaign spent nearly $200,000 more than it had received in contributions prior to the election; he spent the next two years raising funds to pay off the campaign debt. [link]
Secretary of the Interior
On March 16, 2006, Kempthorne was nominated by President George W. Bush to replace Gale Norton as United States Secretary of the Interior. On May 10, 2006, Kempthorne's nomination was approved by voice vote by the United States Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He was confirmed by the full Senate on May 26, 2006 and resigned as governor to accept the position the same day.
Kempthorne is the second Idahoan to hold the post after Cecil D. Andrus, who was Interior secretary under Jimmy Carter.
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