Idaho News

What You Should Know About Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter

C.L. “Butch” Otter has been a fixture of Idaho politics since 1973 when he was elected to his first term in the state House of Representatives.Otter was elected to his third-consecutive term as governor on Nov. 4, 2014. He was elected to his second term as Idaho governor on Nov. 2, 2010. Otter first became Idaho's governor on Nov. 7, 2006.Gov. Otter was at the helm during the peak of the Great Recession and it was his administration that oversaw the cutting of the state budget, record unemployment, and a boom in the number of people using government assistance.Otter spoke with StateImpact Idaho back in 2012 about that recession and its lasting impact on Idaho's workforce.Governor Otter: Every Generation Deals with Joblessness and We Live Through ItA Brief BiographyOtter, a Republican, is the longest serving lieutenant governor of Idaho, his tenure spanned from 1987-2000. In 2000 he was then elected to the United States Congress and served until 2006.According to the Washington Post, Otter voted with his party most of the time, 86 percent, but has been known to have an independent streak on some issues.“He was among three Republicans in the House to vote against the USA Patriot Act in 2001 and he later sponsored a bill to repeal parts of it. But independent streaks are sometimes tolerated in a state that would rather not be told what to do by the federal government.” - William Yardley, New York TimesOtter was born on May 3, 1942 in Caldwell, Idaho. He attended St. Teresa’s Academy in Boise and graduated from Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1967.After college, Otter joined the Idaho National Guard and served in the 116th Armored Calvary until 1973.Butch Otter is married to his second wife, Lori. He has four children and several grandchildren.

Reaction To State Senator John McGee’s Resignation

Boise State Public Radio News | By Scott Ki

Published February 23, 2012 at 10:16 AM MST

Boise, ID – Idaho State Senator John McGee resigned Wednesday over allegations of sexual harassment.

The accusations of sexual harassment come from a legislative staffer. Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill met with the woman on Monday.

Brent Hill: “I immediately reassigned the attaché to another position within the Senate. In this situation, my first priority is to ensure the safe, secure and professional work environment of our Senate employees.”

Hill said his second priority is to protect the integrity and institution of the Senate. Democrats, such as Les Bock, the Assistant Minority Leader, agreed.

Les Bock: “Certainly, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the majority party. And believe that the institution of the Senate must be protected and we must continue our work.”

Wednesday, Senator John McGee submitted his resignation to Hill. Senate Republicans announced McGee’s resignation after a caucus meeting later that day. Majority Leader Bart Davis said everyone in that meeting prayed.

Bart Davis: “I’ve been in that caucus for fourteen years and that’s as solemn a caucus as I have ever been involved in.”

McGee held on to his Senate leadership post even though he was arrested for drunk driving last May. Although the vote was confidential, a number of Senate Republicans publicly disagreed with his retention as Majority Caucus Chairman. McGee has not admitted any wrongdoing in the sexual harassment case. Hill has asked the Idaho Attorney General’s Office to review these allegations.

Reaction To State Senator John McGee’s Resignation

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