Last week, former Idaho governor Phil Batt died on his 96th birthday. He was a hero and mentor to me. I met Governor Batt when he ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1982. Future US Senator and Governor Dirk Kempthorne was Batt’s campaign manager. During that campaign, Dirk called me to ask if I would run the “Get Out the Vote for Batt” at Boise State University. I met Dirk through my older brothers. During that election season, I met so many top Republicans manning phone banks, stuffing envelopes, knocking on doors, etc. I learned a lot about Idaho politics and government. The highlight was when Batt would come to the office to chat. When Batt lost that election by 4,208 votes, I was crushed. It still stings. Both Batt and Kempthorne actually consoled ME! They gave me a lesson about humility, grace and defeat. Two years later, both Batt and Kempthorne wrote letters of recommendations when I applied to be the Assistant Lobbyist for the Idaho Association of REALTORS®. About a year later,
I am a stroke survivor. My blog is about my recovery, family, and possibilities.