Clint Stennett
Encyclopedia
W. Clinton "Clint" Stennett (born October 1, 1956 - October 14, 2010) was a former minority leader
of the Idaho State Senate. A Democrat
, Stennett represents District 25, which includes Blaine
, Gooding
, Camas
and Lincoln
Counties. Stennett has been in the Idaho State Senate since 1994 and served as the Minority Leader
from 1999 to 2009. He previously served in the Idaho State House of Representatives from 1990 through 1994.
Stennett was president of E-da-Ha Inc., which owns television stations in Sun Valley
, Twin Falls
and McCall
.
As one of the state's most prominent Democrats, Stennett had been mentioned as a potential candidate for governor
in 2006. However, he chose stand for reelection to the Idaho Senate instead. Stennett ran in the general election unopposed as no challenger filed to run against him. Stennett again ran for reelection unopposed in 2008.
to address minor brain swelling. Although Stennett took a leave of absence from the Legislature, he was expected to make a full recovery and return to the Idaho Senate before the end of the 2008 session. However, when Stennett was diagnosed with brain cancer
it was expected that he would miss all of the 2009 legislative session. Michelle Stennett, Clint's wife, was appointed as District 25's acting state senator by Gov. Butch Otter until Stennett could resume his duties.
Stennett was succeeded as minority leader in January 2009 by Sen. Kate Kelly
of Boise
.
Stennett resided in Ketchum
until the time of his passing.
Minority leader
In U.S. politics, the minority leader is the floor leader of the second largest caucus in a legislative body. Given the two-party nature of the U.S. system, the minority leader is almost inevitably either a Republican or a Democrat, with their counterpart being of the opposite party. The position...
of the Idaho State Senate. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, Stennett represents District 25, which includes Blaine
Blaine County, Idaho
Blaine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census the county had a population of 21,376. The county seat and largest city is Hailey. The county is home to the Sun Valley ski resort....
, Gooding
Gooding County, Idaho
Gooding County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 14,155...
, Camas
Camas County, Idaho
Camas County is a county in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2000 Census, the rural county had a population of 991 . The county seat is Fairfield....
and Lincoln
Lincoln County, Idaho
Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2000 census the county had a population of 4,044 The county seat and largest city is Shoshone....
Counties. Stennett has been in the Idaho State Senate since 1994 and served as the Minority Leader
Minority leader
In U.S. politics, the minority leader is the floor leader of the second largest caucus in a legislative body. Given the two-party nature of the U.S. system, the minority leader is almost inevitably either a Republican or a Democrat, with their counterpart being of the opposite party. The position...
from 1999 to 2009. He previously served in the Idaho State House of Representatives from 1990 through 1994.
Stennett was president of E-da-Ha Inc., which owns television stations in Sun Valley
Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley is a resort city in Blaine County in the central part of the U.S. state of Idaho, adjacent to the city of Ketchum, lying within the greater Wood River valley. Tourists from around the world enjoy its skiing, hiking, ice skating, trail riding, tennis, and cycling. The population was 1,427...
, 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...
and McCall
McCall, Idaho
McCall is a resort town on the western edge of Valley County, Idaho, United States. Named after its founder, Tom McCall, it is situated on the southern shore of Payette Lake, near the center of the Payette National Forest...
.
As one of the state's most prominent Democrats, Stennett had been mentioned as a potential candidate for governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
in 2006. However, he chose stand for reelection to the Idaho Senate instead. Stennett ran in the general election unopposed as no challenger filed to run against him. Stennett again ran for reelection unopposed in 2008.
Health issues
In January 2008 Stennett underwent surgery in BoiseBoise, 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,...
to address minor brain swelling. Although Stennett took a leave of absence from the Legislature, he was expected to make a full recovery and return to the Idaho Senate before the end of the 2008 session. However, when Stennett was diagnosed with brain cancer
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
it was expected that he would miss all of the 2009 legislative session. Michelle Stennett, Clint's wife, was appointed as District 25's acting state senator by Gov. Butch Otter until Stennett could resume his duties.
Stennett was succeeded as minority leader in January 2009 by Sen. Kate Kelly
Kate Kelly (Idaho politician)
Kate Kelly was the Democratic Idaho State Senator from the Ada County-based District 18 from 2004 to 2010. In January 2009 she succeeded Sen. Clint Stennett of Ketchum as Idaho Senate minority leader after Stennett's announcement that he would miss all of the 2009 legislative session while battling...
of 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,...
.
Stennett resided in Ketchum
Ketchum, Idaho
Ketchum is a city in Blaine County, Idaho, United States, in the central part of the state. The population was 3,003 at the 2000 census. It is in the Wood River Valley, adjacent to Sun Valley; the two communities share many resources and both sit in the same valley beneath Bald Mountain, with its...
until the time of his passing.