Dirk Kempthorne, served from 1993 to 1999

Dirk Kempthorne was born in San Diego California, on October 29, 1951. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1976. After college, he became executive assistant to the director, Idaho Department of Lands until 1978. Then in 1978, he was hired as executive vice president, Idaho Home Builders Association, and worked there until 1981. In 1982, he became campaign manager for unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Phil Batt.

In 1985, he was elected the mayor of Boise, Idaho and served until 1992. In 1992 ,he was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate for the term ending January 3, 1999. Kempthorne was not a not a candidate for re-election in 1998.

Kempthorne was a successful Idaho gubernatorial candidate in Idaho in 1998, serving nearly two terms after being re-elected in 2002. In March 2006, President George Bush nominated Kempthorne as Interior Secretary. Kempthorne was confirmed to that position on May 26, 2006, and began his service that same day.

Photos provided by the Idaho State Historical Society.  Biographical information compiled by Congressional Research Service.