Jim McClure (politician)

For persons of a similar name, see James McClure (disambiguation).

"Senator McClure" redirects here. For other uses, see Senator McClure (disambiguation).

Jim McClure
Official portrait as U.S. Senator
United States Senator from Idaho
In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1991
Preceded by	Len Jordan
Succeeded by	Larry Craig
Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	Scoop Jackson
Succeeded by	Bennett Johnston
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Idaho's 1st district
In office January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1973
Preceded by	Compton I. White Jr.
Succeeded by	Steve Symms
Member of the Idaho Senate
In office 1962–1966
Personal details
Born	James Albertus McClure (1924-12-27)December 27, 1924 Payette, Idaho, U.S.
Died	February 26, 2011(2011-02-26) (aged 86) Garden City, Idaho, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Louise M. Miller (m. 1950)
Children	3
Education	Idaho State University (BA) University of Idaho (JD)
Profession	Attorney
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1942–1946
Battles/wars	World War II

James Albertus McClure (December 27, 1924 – February 26, 2011) was an American lawyer and politician from the state of Idaho, most notably serving as a Republican in the U.S. Senate for three terms from 1973 to 1991. He also served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1967 to 1973.

Early life and education

McClure attended public schools in Payette and joined the U.S. Navy at age 18 during World War II, serving from 1942 to 1946. McClure graduated from the Navy Program at the University of Idaho–Southern Branch (now Idaho State University) in Pocatello in 1943. After his discharge from the Navy, he entered the College of Law at the University of Idaho and graduated in 1950.

Career

From 1950 to 1956, he served as prosecuting attorney for Payette County; he also served as city attorney for Payette from 1953 to 1966. During this span, he was also a member of the Idaho State Senate, serving from 1961 to 1966.

In the 1966 election, McClure ran for the U.S. House from Idaho's first congressional district. He won the race, defeating incumbent Compton I. White, Jr., and was re-elected in 1968 and 1970.

U.S. Senate

McClure ran for the open U.S. Senate seat (Class II) in 1972, vacated by the retirement of Len Jordan. In the general election he defeated the Democratic nominee, William E. "Bud" Davis, the president of Idaho State University. McClure was reelected by wide margins in 1978 and 1984. The seat was occupied by William Borah for over three decades (1907–1940), and has been continuously held by Republicans since 1949.

During his 18 years in the Senate, McClure served as the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources from 1981 to 1987. In this capacity McClure emerged as an early proponent of electric cars and energy independence. He also chaired the Senate Republican Conference from 1981 to 1985.

Retirement

At age 65, McClure declined to run for a fourth term in 1990. Republican congressman Larry Craig of Midvale easily won McClure's Senate seat in November 1990 and served three terms, succeeded by Jim Risch.

After leaving the Senate, McClure became a mining consultant and lobbyist in Washington, D.C., founding the firm of McClure, Gerard, & Neuenschwander. Up until his death, McClure maintained a residence in McCall.

In October 1995 the new home of the College of Mines and Earth Resources at the University of Idaho was dedicated as James A. McClure Hall. On December 12, 2001, the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Boise was renamed for McClure.

Personal life

In December 2008, the 83-year-old McClure suffered a stroke and was sent to the intensive care unit at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. Although initially he was expected to recover, his health declined after additional strokes and he died from complications on February 26, 2011, at his home in Garden City, Idaho.

Election results

U.S. House elections (Idaho's 1st district): Results 1966–1970

Year	Democrat	Votes	Pct		Republican	Votes	Pct
1966	Compton White, Jr. (inc.)	65,446	48.2%		Jim McClure	70,410	51.8%
1968	Compton White, Jr.	62,002	40.6%		Jim McClure (inc.)	90,870	59.4%
1970	William Brauner	55,743	41.8%		Jim McClure (inc.)	77,513	58.2%

U.S. Senate elections in Idaho (Class II): Results 1972–1984

Year	Democrat	Votes	Pct		Republican	Votes	Pct		3rd Party	Party	Votes	Pct
1972	William "Bud" Davis	140,913	45.5%		Jim McClure	161,804	52.3%		Jean L. Stafford	American	6,885	2.2%
1978	Dwight Jensen	89,635	31.6%		Jim McClure (inc.)	194,412	68.4%
1984	Pete Busch	105,591	26.0%		Jim McClure (inc.)	293,193	72.2%		David B. Billings	Libertarian	7,384	1.8%

External links

• United States Congress. "Jim McClure (id: M000346)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Federal Bldg. (1968) Boise, Idaho – renamed for James A. McClure, 2001
• University of Idaho – James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research
• University of Idaho – Senator James McClure
• University of Idaho Library – Papers of Senator James A. McClure
• Appearances on C-SPAN