Phil Batt

Before becoming governor, Batt had been a Republican politician in Idaho for thirty years, serving in the state legislature (house 1965–67, state senate 1967–79),[6] and as the 35th lieutenant governor from 1979 to 1983.[7] He ran for governor in 1982 and was defeated in a close race by the Democratic incumbent, John Evans. The election was so close that at least one television network declared Batt the winner on Election Night.[8][9]

Batt returned to the state senate with victories in 1984[10] and 1986, then resigned in the spring of 1988 to sit on the three-member state transportation board, appointed by Governor Andrus.[11]

Batt was elected chairman of the Idaho Republican Party in January 1991,[12] and after a successful two years, he stepped aside in April 1993 to re-enter electoral politics in 1994.[13] Batt had previously ran for the post in 1968 and lost to Roland Wilber, 127 to 218.[14]

Batt won the Republican gubernatorial primary in 1994 with 48% of the vote, and defeated state attorney general Larry EchoHawk in the general election 52% to 44%,[15] for the first GOP victory for governor in 28 years.[16] Despite high popularity, he chose to serve only one term, citing his age, and left office at age 71.[17] Succeeding Batt, Kempthorne won two terms, Butch Otter three terms, and Brad Little one term, giving the Republicans seven consecutive wins through 2018. Among Batt's more notable accomplishments as governor was pushing through worker's compensation for agricultural workers and negotiating a pact limiting nuclear waste storage in Idaho.[17]

Batt was a Presidential Elector for 2000 United States presidential election for George W. Bush in Idaho.[18]

Batt 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 2003. Batt, who has a gay grandson who lives out of state, supports Add The Words.[19]