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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Following the news of former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne's passing on Friday evening, several Idaho political leaders from both sides of the aisle have released statements honoring the work of the late politician.RELATED | Former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne has died, according to familyThe Office of the Governor released a statement from Kempthorne's family on Saturday, saying the Idaho politician passed away in Boise surrounded by family.…
‘An enduring mark on our state’: Former Secretary of the Interior and Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne dies at 74
Dirk Kempthorne, the charismatic former Idaho governor who went on to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior, died Friday night of complications from late-stage cancer. He was 74. Kempthorne, who also served as a U.S. senator from Idaho and as mayor of Boise, announced his diagnosis in March 2025. He called it maybe the “challenge of my lifetime,” but pledged to fight it “head-on” and ...
‘An enduring mark on our state’: Dirk Kempthorne, former Idaho governor and interior secretary, dies at 74
BOISE, Idaho — Dirk Kempthorne, the charismatic former Idaho governor who went on to lead the U.S. Department of the Interior, died Friday night of complications from late-stage cancer. He was 74. Kempthorne, who also served as a U.S. senator…
Associated Press News
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.
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