Cenarrusa ‘Blind Spot’ Only Flaw Sheep, Cows Always Win Out, Former Gov. Andrus Notes

Some say Pete Cenarrusa has fought as hard as anyone to preserve a ranching lifestyle threatened by environmentalists and urban growth.

Others say Idaho’s longtime secretary of state and Land Board member refuses to acknowledge the evils of contaminated streams and barren, over-grazed land.

But the two sides generally come together in their agreement that Cenarrusa has served the state with integrity for nearly half a century.

“I find Pete to be quite a likable person,” said Jon Marvel, the Hailey-based environmentalist who has tangled with Cenarrusa over use of range land.

“In many respects he’s quite generous with his time. And another good thing, you always know where he stands on issues.”

Cenarrusa is Idaho’s longest-serving elected official. On May 1, he plans a reception at the state Capitol to celebrate 30 years as secretary of state. Cenarrusa also served 17 years in the Idaho House of Representatives, including six years as speaker.

As secretary of state, he has carried out dozens of state and local elections and streamlined the state’s record-keeping process. But Cenarrusa perhaps stands out most in recent years as a member of the five-member Land Board, a title that comes with his election as secretary. The board oversees management of 2.5 million acres of state land.

Cenarrusa, himself a sheepherder, has been one of Idaho’s top supporters of ranchers and grazing rights, said Hammett rancher Chris Black.

At board meetings, he vigilantly defends the industry from those like Marvel who have tried to buy up chunks of range land to keep it out of production.

“He’s quite well thought of in the ranching community,” Black said. “He’s made his living on ranches in the past and he knows the problems we face. He stands up for us when we’re right.”

Cenarrusa said he cannot help but lead their fight. Decades ago he followed his father, a Basque immigrant, in the sheepraising business. And at age 79, he still jumps atop his horse occasionally to run his 5,000-head herd near his hometown of Carey.

“After living with those people for so many years, and they’re striving to make a living, you’ve got to believe in them,” he said of ranchers.

But Marvel criticizes Cenarrusa for so stubbornly supporting livestock raisers.

“There’s no question Pete favors sheep over the environment and people,” Marvel said.

Even former Gov. Cecil Andrus, who served with Cenarrusa on the Land Board, agrees.

“Pete’s one blind spot has been the agricultural industry,” Andrus said. “Every time there’s a question of supremacy, the sheep and cows win.”

Cenarrusa’s name may never have surfaced in the debate had it not been for a vote the House of Representatives took in 1953, early in Cenarrusa’s career.

Just as Cenarrusa was planning to retire from politics, the House defeated his bill that would have provided $10,000 for flood control in his district. To repay him for voting against the Republican majority on another issue, the members also approved an almost identical bill by another legislator. Cenarrusa never forgot the rebuke.

He vowed soon after he would remain in politics until the 27 who voted against him had been ousted. Cenarrusa ran again and again, and, as speaker, sometimes made life on the floor difficult for those he thought had crossed him on the flood-control bill, former legislators said.

Cenarrusa scribbled out a list on a scrap of paper of the 27 legislators. The list, which he still keeps in his desk as a memento, became legendary. No one wanted to cross Cenarrusa and find his name added on.

“I steered away from that list,” said Gov. Phil Batt, who was a first-term House member in 1965.

Speculation is that Cenarrusa may retire after this year. He has been treated successfully for prostate cancer and will be 80 in December. But Andrus said the secretary has talked about retiring before.

“This is home to me,” Cenarrusa said in his office this week. “Being here under the Capitol dome, it’s just become close to me.”