Jim Risch

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Jim Risch
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31^st Governor of Idaho
Term of office: May 2006 – present (term ends Jan. 2007)
Lieutenant Governor:	Mark Ricks
Predecessor:	Dirk Kempthorne
Successor:	C.L. Otter (Governor-elect)
Born:	May 3, 1943 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Political party:	Republican
Profession:	Attorney
Spouse:	Vicki Risch
Religion:	Roman Catholic

James E. "Jim" Risch (born May 3, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is the Governor of Idaho. He succeeded to the office on May 26, 2006 when his predecessor, Dirk Kempthorne, resigned to become U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Risch is a rancher, attorney, and politician from Ada County. He is the first Catholic to become governor of the State of Idaho.

Risch attended the University of Idaho where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He obtained his B.S. in Forestry in 1965 and continued his education at the university's College of Law, receiving his J.D. in 1968.

Risch entered politics in 1970 at age 27, winning election as Ada County Prosecuting Attorney. While serving in this capacity he taught undergraduate classes in criminal justice at Boise State University.

Jim Risch spent many successful years as a trial lawyer.

Risch was first elected to the Idaho State Senate from Ada County in 1974. He entered the state senate leadership in 1976, serving as majority leader and later as president pro tempore. In a dramatic upset, Risch was defeated for reelection in 1988 by Democratic political newcomer and Boise attorney Mike Burkett. As of mid-2006, it remains Idaho's most expensive legislative contest.

In the second political defeat of his career, Risch lost the 1994 primary election for an Idaho Senate seat to Roger Madsen. Risch returned to the state senate in 1995 as an appointee of Governor Phil Batt, who named Madsen as the state commerce department's director.

In January 2001, Risch had his eye on the lieutenant governor's seat vacated by "Butch" Otter, who resigned to take his elected seat in Congress. However, Governor Dirk Kempthorne appointed state senator Jack Riggs of Coeur d'Alene to the post instead. The following year Risch defeated Riggs in the Republican primary and won the general election, spending $360,000 of his own money to win the $27,000 a year, part-time post.

On May 26, 2006, Risch became Governor of Idaho when Kempthorne resigned to become the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Risch will serve out the remaining months of Kempthorne's term, which ends in January 2007.

In August 2006 Risch called a special session of the Idaho Legislature to consider his proposed property tax reform bill, entitled the Property Tax Relief Act of 2006. The session is scheduled to begin August 25.

[edit] 2006 Election

Risch was widely expected to enter 2006 Republican gubernatorial primary to succeed Kempthorne, who was completing his second term. However, Congressman "Butch" Otter had announced his candidacy in December 2004, gaining a significant head start in campaigning and fundraising. In November 2005, Risch announced his intention to seek reelection as lieutenant governor.

Although he had an opportunity to enter the gubernatorial race after Kempthorne's appointment in March 2006, Risch again chose not to challenge Otter for the position. Risch will step down as governor in January 2007 and return as the state's lieutenant governor. He was unopposed for the 2006 Republican nomination for lieutenant governor and defeated former Democratic Congressman Larry LaRocco in the general election.

[edit] Links & References

Office of the Governor Governor Risch's biography
Project Vote Smart Risch biography
Risch becomes Idaho's 31st governor The Idaho Statesman 26-May-2006
Risch revels in upcoming term as king The Idaho Statesman 18-March-2006
2004 Elections - News, opinions & voter information

Preceded by: Jack Riggs	Lieutenant Governor of Idaho January 6, 2003 – May 26, 2006	Succeeded by: Mark Ricks
Preceded by: Dirk Kempthorne	Governor of Idaho 2006 - present	Succeeded by: C.L. Otter (elected)

Governors of Idaho <td style="vertical-align: middle; width: 1px" rowspan="2"> Image:Flag of Idaho.svg </td>
Shoup • Willey • McConnell • Steunenberg • Hunt • Morrison • Gooding • Brady • Hawley • Haines • Alexander • Davis • Moore • Baldridge • Ross • B. Clark • Bottolfsen • C. Clark • Bottolfsen • Gossett • Williams • Robins • Jordan • Smylie • Samuelson • Andrus • Evans • Andrus • Batt • Kempthorne • Risch • Otter (elect)