Cecil D. Andrus - Governor (1987-95)

Governor (1987-95)

After several years in private life following his return to Idaho in 1981, Andrus surprised many by again seeking and recapturing the Idaho governorship in the 1986 election, defeating Republican Lieutenant Governor David H. Leroy. During this second stint as governor, Andrus vigorously opposed federal efforts to store nuclear waste in Idaho. He also brokered a path-breaking agreement among land use and conservation interests to control water pollution from nonpoint sources to protect riparian and fish habitat in Idaho's rivers and streams.

In 1990 Andrus drew attention when he vetoed a strict anti-abortion bill passed by the Idaho Legislature. Despite this veto, Andrus easily won re-election later that year against conservative Republican state senator Roger Fairchild, winning in every county except Lemhi. In his fourth and final term as governor, Andrus was again in the national spotlight due to the Endangered Species Act listing of several Snake River salmon species. These anadromous fish species spawn in their natal streams in Idaho and migrate seaward at a young age. Governor Andrus called attention to the downstream federal dams operated by the Army Corps of Engineers as the major culprit. His successful lawsuit against the federal government led to incremental changes in operations of the dams, and to continuing efforts for major conservationist modifications to the dams that are ongoing today. On April 3, 1990, he also signed House Bill 817 into law, creating two new types of felony crimes, defined new criminal investigation areas, provided the basis for opening Ritual Child Abuse cases based upon probable cause, and provided a framework for extensive R.C.A. investigation training throughout Idaho.

Despite remaining personally popular, Andrus did not seek re-election to a fifth term in 1994. He was succeeded by Republican Phil Batt, who served a single term and did not seek re-election in 1998.