Cecil D. Andrus
Encyclopedia
Cecil Dale Andrus was an American
politician who served as Governor of Idaho from 1971 to 1977, and again from 1987 to 1995; and in Washington as United States Secretary of the Interior
from 1977 to 1981, during the Carter
administration. Andrus lost his first gubernatorial election in 1966, but won four (1970, 1974, 1986, 1990), and served more years as Governor of Idaho than anyone else in the State's history. In public life he was noted for his conservationist
and environmental views and accomplishments.
, Oregon
, Andrus attended Oregon State University
in 1952 and served in the United States Naval Reserves
from 1951 to 1955. After being discharged from the Navy
, Andrus moved to Orofino, Idaho
, where he worked in the timber industry.
In 1960, at age 28, and concerned over the local Republican
state senator's stance against needed education
improvements in Idaho schools, particularly in rural areas of the State, Andrus filed as a Democrat to run against him for the Idaho State Senate and won, becoming the youngest member ever elected up to that time to the Idaho State Legislature.. He was re-elected in 1962 and in 1964.
Andrus first ran for Governor in Idaho in 1966, but was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary by Salmon
attorney Charles Herndon. Andrus, however, was appointed the replacement nominee after Herndon died in a plane crash while en route from Twin Falls
to Coeur d'Alene
in September 1966. Andrus, however, lost the general election to Republican Don Samuelson
, earning him the unlikely distinction of losing both the primary and general election races for the same office in the same year. Andrus did go on, however, to win re-election to the Idaho State Senate two years later, in 1968.
mining in central Idaho's White Cloud Mountains. Andrus was then overwhelmingly re-elected in 1974 to a second term, defeating Republican Lieutenant Governor Jack M. Murphy
.
In 1974 TIME
magazine named Governor Andrus one of the 200 Faces for the Future.
.
Among many other accomplishments while Interior Secretary, Andrus was responsible for shepherding through Congress the 1980 Alaska Lands Act
which set aside some 103-million acres in numerous, new National Parks and Wildlife Refuges, including the still controversial Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
, and other vast wilderness and conservation areas
in the State of Alaska
.
In 1979, when President Carter asked for the resignations of his entire cabinet during an Administration retreat at Camp David, the resignation of Andrus was not accepted. Andrus stayed on as Secretary of the Interior for the remainder of Carter's presidency, and returned to Idaho after Carter's term ended in January of 1981.
Noted for his ability and patience, both in Idaho and while Secretary of the Interior, in working tirelessly to broker often very difficult, bi-partisan compromises leading to the successful passage of legislation, Andrus was frequently criticized by both pro-developmental interests and by Washington-based environmentalist groups for his various conservation and preservation efforts and initiatives. He is quoted by a former aide at Interior as having once said: "One of the best ways to tell if we're doing something right, is when both sides are ticked off at us. And nobody wins if we wind up tossing the baby out with the bathwater.".
Andrus wrote in his own memoir about such a need for compromise relative to his successful, last-ditch efforts in securing passage of the Alaska Lands Act
during the last month of the Carter Administration in December, 1980, following Ronald Reagan's
election in November: "The environmental groups were initially hostile. I actually had to listen to the idiotic argument [from the Wilderness Society and Sierra Club's paid Washington lobbyists] that they could get a better Alaska package out of Reagan and Watt." ( James Watt
had been named by President-elect Reagan to succeed Andrus as Secretary of the Interior.) "Cooler heads quickly prevailed, however, Andrus continues, "It proved the old adage that there's nothing like a hanging in the morning to focus the mind. Even though we were creating tomorrow's controversies, a 103-million acre [preservation] plan . . . was a lot better than nothing."
. 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 forth 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 modificaions to the dams that are ongoing today.
A 2011 book on Andrus and his career in public service described him as "Idaho's greatest Governor".
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.
, and in 1998, published his memoir, 'Politics Western Style'. The Cecil D. Andrus Elementary School in Boise
is named after him.
Andrus remains active in the Idaho Democratic Party
and continues to campaign on behalf of other Democrats. In 2006 Andrus served as campaign treasurer for Idaho Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brady
. And, in February 2008, Andrus endorsed and campaigned actively on behalf of Barack Obama
in Boise, Idaho
. At what was described as the "second biggest political rally in Idaho history," by the New York Times, Andrus introduced Obama and recalled hearing John F. Kennedy
speak years earlier. "I’m older now, some would suggest in the twilight of a mediocre political career,” Andrus said. “[but] I, like you, can still be inspired. I can still hope.”
In the closing page of his memoir, Andrus quotes the poet Robert Frost
: "We should not have to care so much, you and I."
"But we do care," Andrus continues, "and we should. We care about the future.... I remain hopeful that I will be able to pass on to my grandchildren all the pleasures of life in an unspoiled West. Perhaps hope should be replaced by a stronger word. It is a matter of obligation."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who served as Governor of Idaho from 1971 to 1977, and again from 1987 to 1995; and in Washington as United States Secretary of the Interior
United States Secretary of the Interior
The United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior.The US Department of the Interior should not be confused with the concept of Ministries of the Interior as used in other countries...
from 1977 to 1981, during the Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
administration. Andrus lost his first gubernatorial election in 1966, but won four (1970, 1974, 1986, 1990), and served more years as Governor of Idaho than anyone else in the State's history. In public life he was noted for his conservationist
Conservationist
Conservationists are proponents or advocates of conservation. They advocate for the protection of all the species in an ecosystem with a strong focus on the natural environment...
and environmental views and accomplishments.
Early life and career
Born in Hood RiverHood River, Oregon
The city of Hood River is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,831...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, Andrus attended Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
in 1952 and served in the United States Naval Reserves
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1951 to 1955. After being discharged from the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, Andrus moved to Orofino, Idaho
Orofino, Idaho
Orofino is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho, along Orofino Creek and the north bank of the Clearwater River. The population was 3,247 at the 2000 census, and the city is the county seat of Clearwater County...
, where he worked in the timber industry.
In 1960, at age 28, and concerned over the local Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
state senator's stance against needed education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
improvements in Idaho schools, particularly in rural areas of the State, Andrus filed as a Democrat to run against him for the Idaho State Senate and won, becoming the youngest member ever elected up to that time to the Idaho State Legislature.. He was re-elected in 1962 and in 1964.
Andrus first ran for Governor in Idaho in 1966, but was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary by Salmon
Salmon, Idaho
Salmon is a city in Lemhi County, Idaho, United States. The population was 3,122 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Lemhi County...
attorney Charles Herndon. Andrus, however, was appointed the replacement nominee after Herndon died in a plane crash while en route from Twin Falls
Twin Falls, Idaho
Twin Falls is the county seat and largest city of Twin Falls County, Idaho, United States. The population was 44,125 at the 2010 censusTwin Falls is the largest city of Idaho's Magic Valley region...
to Coeur d'Alene
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Coeur d'Alene is the largest city and county seat of Kootenai County, Idaho, United States. It is the principal city of the Coeur d'Alene Metropolitan Statistical Area. Coeur d'Alene has the second largest metropolitan area in the state of Idaho. As of the 2010 census the population of Coeur...
in September 1966. Andrus, however, lost the general election to Republican Don Samuelson
Don Samuelson
Donald William Samuelson was a Republican politician from the US state of Idaho. He served as the 25th Governor of Idaho from 1967 to 1971....
, earning him the unlikely distinction of losing both the primary and general election races for the same office in the same year. Andrus did go on, however, to win re-election to the Idaho State Senate two years later, in 1968.
Governor (1971-77)
Undaunted by his earlier setback, Andrus successfully defeated Samuelson in a gubernatorial election rematch in 1970. This was attributed in large part to Andrus' public opposition to proposals for development of molybdenumMolybdenum
Molybdenum , is a Group 6 chemical element with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42. The name is from Neo-Latin Molybdaenum, from Ancient Greek , meaning lead, itself proposed as a loanword from Anatolian Luvian and Lydian languages, since its ores were confused with lead ores...
mining in central Idaho's White Cloud Mountains. Andrus was then overwhelmingly re-elected in 1974 to a second term, defeating Republican Lieutenant Governor Jack M. Murphy
Jack M. Murphy
Jack M. Murphy was a Republican politician from Idaho. He served as the 32nd Lieutenant Governor of Idaho between 1967 and 1975....
.
In 1974 TIME
Time
Time is a part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects....
magazine named Governor Andrus one of the 200 Faces for the Future.
Interior Secretary (1977–1980)
In January 1977, Andrus left his post as governor to serve as Secretary of the Interior for newly inaugurated President Jimmy Carter, becoming the first Idahoan to serve in a presidential cabinet. He was succeeded as governor by Lieutenant Governor John V. EvansJohn V. Evans
John Victor Evans, Sr. was the 27th Governor of Idaho from 1977–87. He is a member of the Democratic Party.Evans was elected to the Idaho Senate in 1952 and re-elected in 1954 and 1956, serving as majority leader in his final term. In 1960, Evans became mayor of Malad City and served in that...
.
Among many other accomplishments while Interior Secretary, Andrus was responsible for shepherding through Congress the 1980 Alaska Lands Act
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act
The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act was a United States federal law passed in 1980 by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on December 2 of that year....
which set aside some 103-million acres in numerous, new National Parks and Wildlife Refuges, including the still controversial Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in northeastern Alaska, United States. It consists of in the Alaska North Slope region. It is the largest National Wildlife Refuge in the country, slightly larger than the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge...
, and other vast wilderness and conservation areas
National Wilderness Preservation System
The National Wilderness Preservation System of the United States protects federally managed land areas designated for preservation in their natural condition. It was established by the Wilderness Act upon the signature of President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964...
in the State of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
.
In 1979, when President Carter asked for the resignations of his entire cabinet during an Administration retreat at Camp David, the resignation of Andrus was not accepted. Andrus stayed on as Secretary of the Interior for the remainder of Carter's presidency, and returned to Idaho after Carter's term ended in January of 1981.
Noted for his ability and patience, both in Idaho and while Secretary of the Interior, in working tirelessly to broker often very difficult, bi-partisan compromises leading to the successful passage of legislation, Andrus was frequently criticized by both pro-developmental interests and by Washington-based environmentalist groups for his various conservation and preservation efforts and initiatives. He is quoted by a former aide at Interior as having once said: "One of the best ways to tell if we're doing something right, is when both sides are ticked off at us. And nobody wins if we wind up tossing the baby out with the bathwater.".
Andrus wrote in his own memoir about such a need for compromise relative to his successful, last-ditch efforts in securing passage of the Alaska Lands Act
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act
The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act was a United States federal law passed in 1980 by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on December 2 of that year....
during the last month of the Carter Administration in December, 1980, following Ronald Reagan's
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
election in November: "The environmental groups were initially hostile. I actually had to listen to the idiotic argument [from the Wilderness Society and Sierra Club's paid Washington lobbyists] that they could get a better Alaska package out of Reagan and Watt." ( James Watt
James G. Watt
James Gaius Watt served as U.S. Secretary of the Interior for President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1983.-Early life and career:...
had been named by President-elect Reagan to succeed Andrus as Secretary of the Interior.) "Cooler heads quickly prevailed, however, Andrus continues, "It proved the old adage that there's nothing like a hanging in the morning to focus the mind. Even though we were creating tomorrow's controversies, a 103-million acre [preservation] plan . . . was a lot better than nothing."
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. LeroyDavid H. Leroy
David H. Leroy is a Republican politician from Idaho active in the 1970s and 1980s. He served as the 36th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho between 1983 and 1987....
. 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
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
bill passed by the Idaho Legislature
Idaho Legislature
The Idaho Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Idaho. It consists of the upper Idaho Senate and the lower Idaho House of Representatives. The Idaho Senate contains 35 Senators, who are elected from 35 districts...
. Despite this veto, Andrus easily won re-election later that year against conservative Republican state senator Roger Fairchild
Roger Fairchild
Roger Fairchild was a Republican politician from Idaho active in the 1980s and early 1990s. He was the Republican nominee for Governor of Idaho in 1990. Fairchild was decisively defeated by the Democratic incumbent, Cecil D...
, winning in every county except Lemhi
Lemhi County, Idaho
Lemhi County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The county was established in 1869, named after Fort Lemhi , a remote Mormon missionary settlement from 1855-58 in Bannock and Shoshone territory. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 7,806...
. In his forth and final term as Governor, Andrus was again in the national spotlight due to the Endangered Species Act listing of several Snake River
Snake River
The Snake is a major river of the greater Pacific Northwest in the United States. At long, it is the largest tributary of the Columbia River, the largest North American river that empties into the Pacific Ocean...
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 modificaions to the dams that are ongoing today.
A 2011 book on Andrus and his career in public service described him as "Idaho's greatest Governor".
Despite remaining personally popular, Andrus did not seek re-election to a fifth term in 1994. He was succeeded by Republican Phil Batt
Phil Batt
Philip Eugene Batt was the 29th Governor of Idaho from 1995 to 1999.Batt was an onion and hops farmer from Wilder...
, who served a single term and did not seek re-election in 1998.
Elder statesman
In 1995, Andrus founded the Andrus Center for Public Policy at Boise State UniversityBoise State University
Boise State University is a public university located in Boise, Idaho. Originally founded in 1932 as a junior college by the Episcopal Church, the university became an independent institution in 1934, and has been awarding baccalaureate and master degrees since 1965...
, and in 1998, published his memoir, 'Politics Western Style'. The Cecil D. Andrus Elementary School in Boise
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
is named after him.
Andrus remains active in the Idaho Democratic Party
Idaho Democratic Party
The Idaho Democratic Party is an Idaho political party affiliated with the United States Democratic Party. Although the party has been in the minority for most of the state's history, it has produced several notable public figures, including the late U.S...
and continues to campaign on behalf of other Democrats. In 2006 Andrus served as campaign treasurer for Idaho Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brady
Jerry Brady
Jerry Michael Brady is an Idaho politician and owns a newspaper that is distributed in southeast Idaho...
. And, in February 2008, Andrus endorsed and campaigned actively on behalf of Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
in Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
. At what was described as the "second biggest political rally in Idaho history," by the New York Times, Andrus introduced Obama and recalled hearing John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
speak years earlier. "I’m older now, some would suggest in the twilight of a mediocre political career,” Andrus said. “[but] I, like you, can still be inspired. I can still hope.”
In the closing page of his memoir, Andrus quotes the poet Robert Frost
Robert Frost
Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. His work frequently employed settings from rural life in New England in the early twentieth century, using them to examine complex social and...
: "We should not have to care so much, you and I."
"But we do care," Andrus continues, "and we should. We care about the future.... I remain hopeful that I will be able to pass on to my grandchildren all the pleasures of life in an unspoiled West. Perhaps hope should be replaced by a stronger word. It is a matter of obligation."