Butch Otter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Butch Otter
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Otter in 2017
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| 32nd Governor of Idaho | |
| In office January 1, 2007 – January 7, 2019 |
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| Lieutenant | Jim Risch Brad Little |
| Preceded by | Jim Risch |
| Succeeded by | Brad Little |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Idaho's 1st district |
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| In office January 3, 2001 – January 1, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Helen Chenoweth-Hage |
| Succeeded by | Bill Sali |
| 37th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho | |
| In office January 5, 1987 – January 3, 2001 |
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| Governor | Cecil Andrus Phil Batt Dirk Kempthorne |
| Preceded by | David Leroy |
| Succeeded by | Jack Riggs |
| Member of the Idaho House of Representatives |
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| In office December 1, 1972 – December 1, 1976 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Clement Leroy Otter
May 3, 1942 Caldwell, Idaho, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
Gay Simplot
(m. 1964; div. 1992)Lori Easley
(m. 2006) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | College of Idaho (BA) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1968–1973 |
| Unit | Idaho Army National Guard |
Clement Leroy "Butch" Otter, born on May 3, 1942, is an American businessman and politician. He was the 32nd Governor of Idaho from 2007 to 2019. He is a member of the Republican Party. Otter was elected governor in 2006 and won reelection in 2010 and 2014. Before becoming governor, he served as lieutenant governor from 1987 to 2001. He also represented Idaho in the U.S. Congress from 2001 to 2007.
Contents
Early Life and Education (1942–1972)
Butch Otter was born in Caldwell, Idaho. His parents were Regina Mary and Joseph Bernard Otter. His father was an electrician. Because of his father's job, his family moved often. Butch attended fifteen different schools as a child.
Catholic nuns first nicknamed him "Clem." But after a few schoolyard fights, he got the nickname "Butch." He graduated from St. Teresa's Academy in Boise in 1962. He was 20 years old when he finished high school. He had to take a year off because he worked to help his family. During high school, he worked as a janitor, theater usher, and lawn boy.
Otter went to St. Martin's College briefly. Then he returned to Idaho and attended Boise Junior College. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the College of Idaho in 1967. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. He also served in the Idaho Army National Guard from 1968 to 1973.
Butch Otter also had a long business career. He worked for thirty years at Simplot International. This is a large farming business started by his former father-in-law, J.R. Simplot. He started in a low-level job and eventually became the company's president.
Starting His Political Career (1972–1986)
Serving in the Idaho Legislature
Butch Otter first ran for public office in 1972. He won a seat in the state legislature for Canyon County. He was re-elected to the House in 1974. He served there until 1976.
Running for Governor in 1978
In 1977, the current Democratic Governor Cecil Andrus became a U.S. Secretary. The lieutenant governor, John Evans, took over as governor. In June 1977, Otter announced he would run for governor in 1978. He came in third place in the Republican primary election.
Working in State Politics
After his run for governor, Otter stayed involved in politics. He was part of the Idaho Republican Party Central Committee. He also served as the Chairman of the Canyon County Republican Party.
Role in the Reagan Administration
When Ronald Reagan became president in 1980, he appointed Otter to several groups. These included a task force on international business and an advisory committee for the World Bank.
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho (1987–2001)
In 1986, Otter returned to Idaho politics. He was elected as lieutenant governor. He won reelection three more times: in 1990, 1994, and 1998. He worked with three different governors during his time as lieutenant governor. These were Democrat Cecil Andrus and Republicans Phil Batt and Dirk Kempthorne.
In 1991, the Idaho Senate had an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. Otter's votes helped the Republican Party keep control. He served as lieutenant governor for 14 years. This makes him the longest-serving lieutenant governor in Idaho's history. He resigned in 2001 to become a U.S. Congressman.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (2001–2007)
As a U.S. Congressman, Otter was generally conservative. He also had some libertarian ideas. For example, he voted against the Patriot Act in 2001. He was one of only three Republicans to do so.
Later, he said that "much of the USA PATRIOT Act is needed." He also criticized the Bush Administration's program for watching communications outside the U.S. He served as a deputy majority whip for most of his time in Congress.
Views on Important Issues
- Marriage: He supported a constitutional amendment. This amendment would define marriage as being between "one man and one woman."
- Gun Laws: He strongly supported Second Amendment rights. He was against federal rules that limit gun sales.
- Economy: He voted for a bankruptcy reform in 2001. This reform required people to repay some of their debts. He supported a balanced budget amendment for the U.S. Constitution. He also wanted broad tax cuts, including getting rid of estate and marriage taxes. He supported expanding free-trade agreements with other countries.
- Health Care: He voted for changes to medical malpractice laws. He also voted to allow prescription drugs to be imported. He supported small business groups working together to lower health insurance costs.
- Foreign Policy: Otter voted to allow the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Working on Committees
While in Congress, Otter was part of several important committees:
- U.S. House Committee on Resources
- U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
- U.S. House Committee on Government Reform
- U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Governor of Idaho (2007–2019)
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First Term as Governor
As governor, Otter suggested increasing funding for Idaho's schools. He also wanted to expand scholarships for college students who needed financial help. He supported more offshore oil drilling. He also wanted tax breaks for developing new types of fuel. He said the U.S. should aim for 25% renewable energy by 2025.
In 2007, Otter supported a plan to reduce the number of gray wolves in Idaho. This plan would keep only about 100 wolves. This idea was criticized by many environmental groups.
In the summer of 2007, actress Dawn Wells gave Governor Otter an award. It was the Idaho Visionary Award. She gave it to him for supporting filmmakers in Idaho.
Second Term as Governor
Butch Otter began his second term on January 7, 2011. In his first speech of this term, he suggested getting rid of teacher tenure. This made him one of the most active governors in changing education. Some critics worried that many teaching jobs would be lost. They also worried that teacher contracts would have to be re-negotiated every year.
In March 2011, Otter signed two new laws. One law limited how teachers could collectively bargain. It also removed tenure for new teachers. The other law allowed schools to pay teachers based on how well they performed. However, these laws were later overturned by voters in 2012.
In April 2011, Otter issued an executive order. This order stopped Idaho state agencies from putting the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into action.
Third Term as Governor
In April 2015, Otter vetoed a bill. This bill would have made CBD oil legal for people with severe epilepsy. The bill had passed the Idaho Legislature after many emotional hearings.
Personal Life
In 1964, Butch Otter married Gay Simplot. She was the only daughter of J. R. Simplot. They divorced in 1992 after 28 years of marriage.
In 2006, Otter married his longtime girlfriend, Lori Easley. She was a former Miss Idaho USA. They got married in Meridian on August 18.
Images for kids
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Butch Otter's signature
See also
In Spanish: Butch Otter para niños
