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Dirk Kempthorne, former Idaho governor and US Interior secretary, dies at 74
His family said the former governor died after a colon cancer diagnosis, and Idaho ordered flags lowered to half-staff in his honor.
- Former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne died Friday, April 24, in Boise at age 74, his family confirmed. Kempthorne, who served as U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Interior, had battled cancer since March 2025.
- Kempthorne's public service began as Boise mayor in 1985, followed by election to the U.S. Senate and Idaho governor before President George W. Bush appointed him Secretary of the Interior, serving until 2009.
- A relentless advocate for veterans, Kempthorne chaired the USS Idaho Commissioning Committee since its inception; Governor Brad Little noted it was "especially heartbreaking" that Kempthorne missed the submarine's commissioning this weekend.
- Governor Little ordered state and U.S. flags lowered to half-staff to honor Kempthorne's legacy, while Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, alongside Representative Mike Simpson, praised his "vision" and "selfless dedication" to Idaho.
- Survivors include his wife, Patricia, and their children, Jeff and Heather; the Mountain States Policy Center honored him with its Elevation Award, and his family said he was "surrounded by those he loved most.
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Dirk Kempthorne, former Idaho governor and U.S. Interior secretary, dies at 74
Former Idaho Gov. and U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne has died at age 74. His family said in a written statement that he died Friday evening in Boise.
·United States
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Total News Sources55
Leaning Left15Leaning Right4Center27Last UpdatedBias Distribution59% Center
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources are Center
59% Center
L 32%
C 59%
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