Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dirk Kempthorne (R)

Employment:

U.S. Senator from Idaho, 1993-present. Member, Senate environment and Public Works committee. Chairman, Senate Drinking Water, Fisheries and Wildlife subcommittee. Member, Senate Armed Services committee. Chairman, Military personnel subcommittee. Member, Senate Small Business Committee.

Mayor, city of Boise, 1986-93. Member, advisory board of the U.S. Conference of Mayors; first vice president, Association of Idaho Cities.

FMC Corp., 1983-86, government affairs director.

Batt for Governor, 1980-82, campaign manager.

Idaho Homebuilders, 1978-80, executive director.

Idaho Department of Lands, 1976-78, executive assistant to the director.

Education:

University of Idaho, bachelor of science degree in political science, 1975.

Professional/Community Activities Board of Directors, Parents and Youth Against Drug Abuse, 1986.

Chairman, Idaho Working Partners Ltd., 1993.

Soccer Coach, 1986-93.

Chaperone for Mount Vernon High School graduation activities, 1997.

Personal:

Age, 46, married to the former Patricia Merrill.

Two children: Heather, 19; Jeffrey, 17.

Residence: Boise, 23 years.

By Dirk Kempthorne It’s with a great deal of humility that I ask the people of Idaho for the honor of being elected governor. I’ve had the honor to serve in the U.S. Senate on behalf of Idaho. I have tackled the issues I said I would. All of my efforts have been to affirm the 10th amendment and return powers to the states. We have achieved results, which many said would be difficult to achieve. America’s future is dependent on solving some tough issues. Those solutions can come only from the states, and I want to be part of those solutions. Idaho’s school children make up about 25 percent of our population, but they are 100 percent of our future. We will invest wisely in our children. We will face facts, find answers; keep what is right, reform what is not. Here are some facts; Idaho ranks low in early childhood immunizations. Child abuse is up. Our high school drop-out rate is too high. An onslaught of methamphetamine labs is destroying young lives. These are issues we must address. Together, we will write a new history for Idaho - about our strong families with healthy children, outstanding schools and safe streets, clean air, clean water, and a vibrant environment. Our story will be about the good jobs of the future, woven through a diverse economy that sells Idaho’s goods and ideas to the world. I invite you to join this campaign and begin our journey to a bright future!