Phil Batt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phil Batt
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Batt in 2010
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| 29th Governor of Idaho | |
| In office January 2, 1995 – January 4, 1999 |
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| Lieutenant | Butch Otter |
| Preceded by | Cecil Andrus |
| Succeeded by | Dirk Kempthorne |
| Chair of the Idaho Republican Party | |
| In office 1991–1993 |
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| Preceded by | Randy Ayre |
| Succeeded by | N. Randy Smith |
| 35th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho | |
| In office January 1, 1979 – January 3, 1983 |
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| Governor | John Evans |
| Preceded by | William Murphy |
| Succeeded by | David Leroy |
| 34th President pro tempore of the Idaho Senate | |
| In office 1976–1978 |
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| Preceded by | James Ellsworth |
| Succeeded by | Reed Budge |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Philip Eugene Batt
March 4, 1927 Wilder, Idaho, U.S. |
| Died | March 4, 2023 (aged 96) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Idaho (attended) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1945–1946 |
| Unit | Army Air Forces |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Philip Eugene Batt (March 4, 1927 – March 4, 2023) was an American politician. He was the 29th Governor of Idaho from 1995 to 1999. Before becoming governor, he was the Lieutenant Governor and served in the Idaho Legislature. He was a member of the Republican Party.
Contents
Growing Up and Learning
Early Life in Idaho
Phil Batt was born in Wilder, Idaho, on March 4, 1927. He was the youngest of five children. He finished high school at Wilder High School.
Military Service and College
After high school, Batt joined the United States Army Air Forces. He served for 16 months during and after World War II. He worked as a clerk, helping soldiers leave the military.
Later, he went to the University of Idaho. He studied chemical engineering. While in college, he lived in the dorms and played music. He led a dance band, playing the clarinet and tenor saxophone. Years later, as governor, he even played with famous jazz musician Lionel Hampton.
Political Career
Serving in the State Legislature
Phil Batt was a Republican politician in Idaho for 30 years. He served in the state's law-making body, called the Idaho Legislature. He was in the House from 1965 to 1967. Then he moved to the State Senate from 1967 to 1979.
Becoming Lieutenant Governor
From 1979 to 1983, Batt served as the 35th Lieutenant Governor. This role is like a vice-governor. In 1982, he ran for governor but lost by a small number of votes.
Leading the Republican Party
In 1991, Phil Batt was chosen to be the chairman of the Idaho Republican Party. He did a good job for two years. In 1993, he decided to step down to run for governor again.
Governor of Idaho
In 1994, Phil Batt won the election to become governor. He was the first Republican to win this role in 28 years. He defeated state attorney general Larry Echo Hawk.
Even though he was very popular, Governor Batt chose to serve only one term. He was 71 years old when he left office. As governor, he helped agricultural workers get worker's compensation. He also worked on an agreement to limit nuclear waste storage in Idaho.
After Being Governor
After leaving office, Batt continued to be involved in public life. In 2000, he was one of Idaho's presidential electors for George W. Bush. This means he helped formally cast Idaho's votes for president.
He also wrote two books. One was his life story, called The Compleat Phil Batt: A Kaleidoscope. The other was a collection of funny stories, titled Life as a Geezer.
Personal Life
Marriage and Family
On January 9, 1948, Phil Batt married Jacque Fallis. They got married in Potlatch, Idaho. Soon after, they had to leave college because Phil's father was in a serious car accident. They hoped to go back to school, but they couldn't because of money issues.
Jacque Batt passed away on September 7, 2014, after 66 years of marriage. In 2015, when he was 88 years old, Phil Batt married Francee Riley.
His Passing
Phil Batt died on March 4, 2023. This was on the morning of his 96th birthday.
