1994 Idaho gubernatorial election

The 1994 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1994 to select the governor of the U.S. state of Idaho. Cecil D. Andrus, the Democratic incumbent, chose not to seek reelection after a total of 14 years in office. Former state senator and Republican Party chair Phil Batt engineered a come-from-behind victory to defeat Democratic Attorney General Larry Echo Hawk. Batt's victory put the Idaho governorship in Republican hands for the first time since 1970.

1994 Idaho gubernatorial election
November 8, 1994
 
Nominee Phil Batt Larry Echo Hawk
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 216,123 181,363
Percentage 52.3% 43.9%
County Results
Batt:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Echo Hawk:      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

Cecil D. Andrus
Democratic

 Elected Governor

Phil Batt
Republican

Republican Primary

Lieutenant Governor of Idaho Butch Otter was considered a likely candidate for Governor but decided to run for re-election after being arrested for drink driving in August 1992. Otter went on to be elected Governor in 2006, though he publicly admitted that the incident could have ended his political career.[1][2]

Candidates

Results
County results
Republican primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Phil Batt 57,066 48.00
Republican Larry Eastland 38,664 32.52
Republican Chuck Winder 16,063 13.51
Republican Doug Dorn 7,098 5.97
Total votes 118,891 100.00

Democratic Primary

Candidates

Results
County results
Democratic Primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Larry Echo Hawk 42,661 73.81
Democratic Ron Beitelspacher 12,377 21.41
Democratic David W. Sheperd 2,759 4.77
Total votes 57,797 100.00

General election

Campaign

Although at first many thought Echo Hawk would win the election and become the first Native American governor in the United States, Batt prevailed with an aggressive campaign and with the help of a Republican tide that was especially powerful in Idaho in 1994.

Results
Idaho gubernatorial election, 1994[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Phil Batt 216,123 52.29 +20.49
Democratic Larry Echo Hawk 181,363 43.88 -24.33
Independent Ronald D. Rankin 15,793 3.82
Write-ins 67 0.02
Majority 34,760 8.41 -28.00
Turnout 419,330
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

See also

References
Elections in Idaho
  1. Kenyon, Quane (April 20, 1993). "Butch Otter fined, loses license". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. B3.
  2. "A second chance for Lieutenant Governor". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. (Idaho-Washington). March 11, 1993. p. 10A.
  3. http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/abstract/94prgov.htm
  4. http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/abstract/94prgov.htm
  5. http://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/abstract/94gngov.htm
Preceded by
1990		 Idaho gubernatorial elections Succeeded by
1998
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