Some Idaho political reporters have pointed out that if Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter is elected to a third consecutive term on November 4th he will be only the second governor in state history to accomplish that feat. The first was Robert E. Smylie, who served 12 years from 1955 to 1967. Over the years since Statehood (July 3rd, 1890) the Idaho Legislature has gone back and forth on the issue of term limits for a governor and how long a term was to be. In the state’s early history governors were elected just to two year terms and at times could run as often as they liked. In the mid-1940’s, however, it was decided that a governor should serve only one four year term. This might have been a delayed reaction to Governor C. Ben Ross, who won three consecutive two-year terms in the 1930’s/Chris Carlson, The Carlson Chronicles. More here.

Question: Do you remember when Republicans were all clamoring for term limits, but the late Congresswoman Helen Chenoweth was one of the few to be true to her word and opt out after three terms? Where are those voices now that Butch Otter is seeking a third term?