Brad Little facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brad Little
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| 33rd Governor of Idaho | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2019 |
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| Lieutenant | Janice McGeachin Scott Bedke |
| Preceded by | Butch Otter |
| 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Idaho | |
| In office January 6, 2009 – January 7, 2019 |
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| Governor | Butch Otter |
| Preceded by | Jim Risch |
| Succeeded by | Janice McGeachin |
| Member of the Idaho Senate | |
| In office May 24, 2001 – January 6, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Judy Danielson |
| Succeeded by | Melinda Smyser |
| Constituency | 8th district (2001–2002) 11th district (2002–2009) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Bradley Jay Little
February 15, 1954 Emmett, Idaho, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Teresa Soulen
(m. 1978) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Idaho (BS) |
| Signature |  |
Bradley Jay Little (born February 15, 1954) is an American politician. He is currently the 33rd governor of Idaho. He started this job in January 2019. Before becoming governor, he was the lieutenant governor from 2009 to 2019. He also served as an Idaho state senator from 2001 to 2009. Brad Little is a member of the Republican Party.
He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1976. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Little has been involved in public service since the 1980s. In 2001, Governor Dirk Kempthorne appointed him as an Idaho state senator. He held this position for almost eight years. In 2009, Governor Butch Otter appointed Little as lieutenant governor. This happened after the previous lieutenant governor, Jim Risch, became a U.S. Senator.
After Governor Otter decided not to run again, Little ran for governor in 2018. He won against the Democratic candidate, Paulette Jordan. He was reelected in 2022. He won with 60.5% of the votes.
Contents
Early Life and School
Brad Little was born and grew up in Emmett, Idaho. He finished Emmett High School in 1972. He then went to the University of Idaho in Moscow. He was part of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. In 1976, he earned a degree in agribusiness.
Career and Public Service
Brad Little has had two main careers. He managed his family's ranching business. His grandfather was known as the "Idaho Sheep King." He also worked in public service. In the 1980s, he temporarily filled in for his father in the Senate. This was during the 1981 and 1985 legislative sessions.
Little managed his family's ranch, Little Land and Livestock, for nearly 30 years. His son, David, took over in 2009. This was when Little became lieutenant governor. He still leads Little Enterprises, Inc., which is a farming and cattle business. He also serves on the board of Performance Design Inc. This is a manufacturing company in Boise.
Little has also been involved with many private groups in Idaho. He used to be the chairman of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry (IACI). This group represents businesses in Idaho. He was on its board for 20 years. He also served as vice-chairman of the Idaho Community Foundation. He was also a director for the Idaho Wool Growers Association.
State Senator (2001–2009)
Governor Dirk Kempthorne chose Little to fill a state senate opening in May 2001. He represented District 8 at that time. This district covered parts of Gem, Boise, Valley, Adams, and Idaho Counties.
After district boundaries changed in 2001–02, Little was elected to District 11 in 2002. This district included all of Gem County and northern Canyon County. It included towns like Middleton and Parma. He was reelected as senator from District 11 four times. In 2003, his Republican colleagues elected him as Majority Caucus Chair. He held this leadership role until 2009.
Senate Committee Work
As a state senator, Brad Little worked on several important committees. These committees helped make decisions about different areas in Idaho.
- Agricultural Affairs (2002)
- Resources and Environment (2002, 2003–2009)
- State Affairs (2003–2009)
- Transportation (2003–2009)
- Economic Outlook
- Revenue Assessment
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho (2009–2019)
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In January 2009, Governor Butch Otter appointed Little as lieutenant governor. This happened because the previous lieutenant governor, Jim Risch, became a U.S. Senator. Little was sworn in on January 6, 2009. The Idaho Senate officially approved his appointment on January 12.
Little was elected lieutenant governor in 2010. He won against two opponents in the primary election. He also defeated candidates from the Democratic and Constitution parties in the main election. He was reelected in 2014.
Helping Idaho's Economy
As lieutenant governor, Brad Little focused on growing Idaho's economy. He helped convince the energy bar company Clif Bar to build a new factory in Idaho in 2013. This created jobs and helped the state's economy.
Little also went on and led several trade missions. These trips aimed to build business relationships with other countries. In 2010, he led a trip to Basque Country in Spain. He met with their president, Patxi López. They agreed to open a Basque Economic Development Office in Boise. This office would help Idaho and Basque companies work together. Little also signed the Euskadi-Idaho Friendship Agreement. This agreement celebrates the friendship between Basque Country and Idaho. Idaho has the largest Basque community outside of Spain.
In 2011, Little was part of an Idaho trade group that visited Mexico and Brazil. After the trip, he said there was "tremendous interest" in Idaho products. The Idaho Department of Commerce estimated that this trip led to over $30 million in sales.
New Laws
In 2014, Little supported Senate Bill 1354. This bill aimed to protect companies from "patent trolls." These are groups that try to unfairly collect money by claiming patent violations. The bill helped stop unfair demands for licensing fees.
Governor of Idaho (2019–present)
2018 Election for Governor
In June 2016, Brad Little announced he would run for governor in 2018. He said that the Idaho National Laboratory would be a top priority if he became governor.
He received support from current Governor Otter. Former governors Dirk Kempthorne and Phil Batt also endorsed him. U.S. Senator Jim Risch supported him too.
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During his campaign, Little suggested reducing the state income tax by $350 million. He also wanted to remove the Idaho grocery tax.
Little won the Idaho Republican Party primary election. He beat U.S. Representative Raúl Labrador and businessman Tommy Ahlquist. In the general election, he defeated state Representative Paulette Jordan.
2022 Reelection
In March 2022, Little announced he would run for a second term. He won the Republican nomination in May. He defeated Lieutenant Governor Janice McGeachin.
Stephen Heidt was the Democratic candidate. An independent candidate, Ammon Bundy, also ran. Little easily won the election on November 8. He won in almost every county in Idaho.
Time as Governor
In March 2020, Governor Little signed two new laws about transgender people. One law prevents transgender women and girls from playing in women's sports. This was due to concerns about possible physical advantages. The second law, HB 509, stops transgender people from changing the sex listed on their birth certificates.
In 2021, Little signed a law that made it harder to get ballot initiatives approved. That same year, he signed a law about wolves. This law allows hunting up to 90% of the state's wolves. This was supported by ranchers and hunters. However, environmental groups strongly opposed it.
Political Views
Gun Control
Brad Little does not support gun control. In May 2021, he signed a bill that would block several executive orders from President Joe Biden related to gun control. The NRA Political Victory Fund has given Little an A+ rating. This shows his strong support for Second Amendment rights. He was endorsed by them in the 2022 election.
LGBT Rights
In March 2020, Little signed House Bill 500 and House Bill 509. These laws prevent transgender people who identify as female from playing on sports teams that do not match their sex at birth. They also stop transgender people from changing their gender on their birth certificates.
In April 2023, Little signed House Bill 71 into law. This law bans anyone under 18 from receiving puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or gender-affirming surgery starting in 2024. Doctors who break this law could face up to ten years in prison. The law does not make exceptions for minors already receiving these treatments.
Capital Punishment
In March 2023, Governor Little signed House Bill 186. Little supports capital punishment. This new law adds a firing squad as another way to carry out executions. This would be used if lethal injection is not available. Idaho is the fifth state to pass such a law.
Personal Life
Little married Teresa Soulen in May 1978. She is from Weiser. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
Images for kids
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Brad Little at his 2011 inauguration, with U.S. Senator Jim Risch and their wives.
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See also
- Brad Little for kids
