Dirk Kempthorne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dirk Kempthorne
Official portrait, 2006
49th United States Secretary of the Interior
In office May 26, 2006 – January 19, 2009
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Gale Norton
Succeeded by	Ken Salazar
Chair of the National Governors Association
In office August 19, 2003 – July 20, 2004
Preceded by	Paul Patton
Succeeded by	Mark Warner
30th Governor of Idaho
In office January 4, 1999 – May 26, 2006
Lieutenant	Butch Otter Jack Riggs Jim Risch
Preceded by	Phil Batt
Succeeded by	Jim Risch
United States Senator from Idaho
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1999
Preceded by	Steve Symms
Succeeded by	Mike Crapo
51st Mayor of Boise
In office January 6, 1986 – January 5, 1993
Preceded by	Richard Eardley
Succeeded by	H. Brent Coles
Personal details
Born	Dirk Arthur Kempthorne (1951-10-29) October 29, 1951 (age 73) San Diego, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Patricia Kempthorne ​ (m. 1977)​
Children	2
Education	San Bernardino Valley College University of Idaho (BA)

Dirk Arthur Kempthorne (born October 29, 1951) is an American politician. He was the 49th United States Secretary of the Interior from 2006 to 2009. He worked for President George W. Bush. Kempthorne is a member of the Republican Party.

Before becoming Secretary of the Interior, he served as a U.S. Senator for Idaho. This was from 1993 to 1999. He also served as the 30th governor of Idaho from 1999 to 2006.

Kempthorne first won a public election as Mayor of Boise in 1985. He held that job for seven years. After his government roles, he became president and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers in 2010.

Early Life and Education

Dirk Kempthorne grew up in San Bernardino, California. He went to San Gorgonio High School there. Later, he attended San Bernardino Valley College.

He then moved to Moscow, Idaho, to study at the University of Idaho. He graduated in 1975 with a degree in political science. While at the university, he was also the student body president.

After college, Kempthorne worked for the Idaho Department of Lands. He also worked for the Idaho Home Builders Association. In 1982, he helped manage a campaign for Lieutenant Governor Phil Batt.

Dirk Kempthorne is married to Patricia Kempthorne. They have two adult children, Heather and Jeff. His family has roots from Cornwall.

Political Career

Mayor of Boise

Kempthorne's first big political win was in 1985. He was 34 years old when he became mayor of Boise. People liked his work as mayor. He ran for reelection in 1989 and won without anyone running against him.

U.S. Senator

Senator Kempthorne

In 1992, U.S. Senator Steve Symms decided not to run again. Dirk Kempthorne ran for the open Senate seat. He won against Democratic U.S. Representative Richard H. Stallings.

As a Senator, Kempthorne worked on important laws. He helped pass the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. This law aimed to stop Congress from making states pay for new programs without giving them money.

In 1995, he also introduced changes to the Safe Drinking Water Act. This bill became law in 1996. It helps make sure our drinking water is safe.

Governor of Idaho

In 1998, Kempthorne decided to run for governor of Idaho instead of running for reelection as Senator. The current governor, Phil Batt, decided to retire. Kempthorne won the election by a large margin. He received 68 percent of the votes.

He was reelected as governor in 2002. He won with 56 percent of the votes.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior

Kempthorne is sworn in as Secretary of the Interior on June 7, 2006.

On March 16, 2006, President George W. Bush chose Kempthorne to be the 49th United States Secretary of the Interior. The Senate approved his nomination. He officially became Secretary on May 26, 2006. He then resigned as Idaho Governor.

The Secretary of the Interior manages many important things. This includes national parks, wildlife, and public lands. Kempthorne was the second person from Idaho to hold this job.

During his time as Secretary, some groups criticized him. They said he did not add enough plants or animals to the federal endangered species list. They also raised concerns about how some parts of the department were managed.

In 2008, a report found some problems in an agency under his administration. This agency, the Minerals Management Service, collects money from oil and gas companies.

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne joins federal and island leaders for a group picture at the Insular Areas Health Summit

In December 2008, a lawsuit was filed against the Interior Department. This lawsuit argued that new rules would weaken the Endangered Species Act. This law protects wildlife. The lawsuit claimed the rules were rushed and did not follow proper public review.

Images for kids

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  Official portrait of Dirk Kempthorne in 2006.

See also