September 7, 2010 in Idaho

Kempthorne takes job as life insurance lobbyist

Associated Press

Associated Press photo

Dirk Kempthorne in 2009.
(Full-size photo)

BOISE — Former Idaho governor, U.S. senator and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne is taking over as the top lobbyist for the country’s life insurers.

According to a statement from the American Council of Life Insurers, Kempthorne will succeed former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating as chief executive officer and president of the group.

Kempthorne and his staff will advocate for more than 300 legal reserve life insurer and fraternal benefit society member companies.

The Washington, D.C.-based group says Kempthorne, who was elevated to Interior secretary by President George W. Bush in 2006, “will be a tremendous asset in advocating for an industry that plays a vital role in Americans’ lives.”

Early in his career, Kempthorne was a lobbyist in Idaho for chemical maker FMC Corp.

He’ll take the post Nov. 3.

Four comments on this story so far. Add yours!

misjustice on September 07 at 4:36 p.m.
Let the Revolving Door spin!
Shylock13 on September 07 at 5:20 p.m.
Another Republican pol being paid off by BIG BUSINESS!
Shadedmuse on September 07 at 7:15 p.m.
proof republicans don’t want you to have healthcare unless you pay through the noise and ass for it. the republican motto is healthcare is a privalage for the people that can afford it not a civil right.
spokanecougar on September 07 at 8:30 p.m.
Are we suppose to be surprised by this? If I am surprised by anything its that this actually made the newspaper, its been known for years that politicians - both left and right - usually join some lobbyist group or some board of executives of a large corporation that they helped while in office and then get taken care of by being paid millions of dollars outside of public office.