Phil Batt
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Phil Batt
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29th Governor of Idaho
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| In office January 2, 1995 – January 8, 1999 |
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| Lieutenant | C. L. "Butch" Otter |
| Preceded by | Cecil D. Andrus |
| Succeeded by | Dirk Kempthorne |
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| In office January 1, 1979 – January 3, 1983 |
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| Governor | John V. Evans |
| Preceded by | William J. Murphy |
| Succeeded by | David H. Leroy |
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| Born | March 4, 1927 Wilder, Idaho |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Jacque Fallis Batt |
| Residence | Wilder |
| Profession | Farmer, Politician |
| Religion | Baptist |
Philip Eugene Batt (born March 4, 1927 in Wilder, Idaho) was the Governor of Idaho from 1995-99.
Batt was an onion and hops farmer from Wilder. Before becoming governor, he had been a Republican politician in Idaho for 30 years, serving in the state legislature (house 1965-67, senate 1967-79) and as the lieutenant governor from 1979-83. He ran for governor in 1982 and was defeated in a close race by the Democratic incumbent, John V. Evans. Future U.S. Senator and Governor Dirk Kempthorne served as his campaign manager.
After rebuilding the Idaho Republican Party into near-total dominance as party chairman in the early 1990s, Batt re-entered electoral politics. In 1994, Batt won the Republican gubernatorial primary with 48% of the vote, and defeated the Democratic candidate, attorney general Larry EchoHawk in the general election 52% to 44%. Despite polls putting his popularity at around 80%, he chose to serve only one term.
Among Batt's more notable accomplishments as governor were pushing through worker's compensation for agricultural workers and negotiating a pact limiting nuclear waste storage in Idaho. During his term, Idaho's cabinet had a higher percentage of women than any other state.
He has self-published two books since leaving office, a memoir titled The Compleat Phil Batt: A Kaleidoscope, in 1999, and a compilation of humorous stories, Life as a Geezer, in 2002.
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by William J. Murphy |
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho January 1, 1979–January 3, 1983 |
Succeeded by David H. Leroy |
| Preceded by Cecil D. Andrus |
Governor of Idaho January 5, 1995–January 4, 1999 |
Succeeded by Dirk Kempthorne |
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| Preceded by Allan Larsen |
Republican Party nominee, Governor of Idaho 1982 (lost) |
Succeeded by David H. Leroy |
| Preceded by Roger Fairchild |
Republican Party nominee, Governor of Idaho 1994 (won) |
Succeeded by Dirk Kempthorne |
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