Politics & Government

What You Should Know About Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter

C.L. “Butch” Otter has been a fixture of Idaho politics since 1973 when he was elected to his first term in the state House of Representatives.Otter was elected to his third-consecutive term as governor on Nov. 4, 2014. He was elected to his second term as Idaho governor on Nov. 2, 2010. Otter first became Idaho's governor on Nov. 7, 2006.Gov. Otter was at the helm during the peak of the Great Recession and it was his administration that oversaw the cutting of the state budget, record unemployment, and a boom in the number of people using government assistance.Otter spoke with StateImpact Idaho back in 2012 about that recession and its lasting impact on Idaho's workforce.Governor Otter: Every Generation Deals with Joblessness and We Live Through ItA Brief BiographyOtter, a Republican, is the longest serving lieutenant governor of Idaho, his tenure spanned from 1987-2000. In 2000 he was then elected to the United States Congress and served until 2006.According to the Washington Post, Otter voted with his party most of the time, 86 percent, but has been known to have an independent streak on some issues.“He was among three Republicans in the House to vote against the USA Patriot Act in 2001 and he later sponsored a bill to repeal parts of it. But independent streaks are sometimes tolerated in a state that would rather not be told what to do by the federal government.” - William Yardley, New York TimesOtter was born on May 3, 1942 in Caldwell, Idaho. He attended St. Teresa’s Academy in Boise and graduated from Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1967.After college, Otter joined the Idaho National Guard and served in the 116th Armored Calvary until 1973.Butch Otter is married to his second wife, Lori. He has four children and several grandchildren.

'Little Bitch Otter' Beer Maker To Give Some Proceeds To Gay Rights Groups

Boise State Public Radio News

Published May 28, 2014 at 4:27 AM MDT

The brewery we told you about two weeks ago that's fermenting a batch of political commentary plans to give a portion of its proceeds from "Little Bitch Otter" beer to gay rights groups.

Crooked Fence Brewing, the Garden City beer maker, and tap room Pre-Funk, have teamed up for a launch event. According to its Facebook event, Pre-Funk and Crooked Fence on Thursday will give 10 percent of its proceeds from "Little Bitch Otter" beer, and beer-label swag, to "organizations working towards equality in Idaho."

Brewing co-owner and marketing director Kelly Knopp says a portion of Thursday's sales will go directly to Add the Words Idaho, and the Pride Foundation.

Add the Words Idaho co-chairperson Mistie Tolman says her organization is an all-volunteer group working to add "sexual orientation and gender identity" to the state's human rights act. "We decided to put those proceeds to good use, to further equality in the state," says Tolman. "We’ll keep working hard to try and achieve equality."

The name of the brew and its corresponding label featuring an otter wearing a tie and cowboy hat seem to take a direct shot at Idaho's Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter.

"Anyone that is going to try to take away freedoms or not let someone be equal, Crooked Fence is against," Knopp told KBSX earlier this month.

"Knopp wouldn't be more specific on why their political cartoon appears to put Gov. Otter in the cross hairs, although the timing seems deliberate. On Tuesday, a federal judge overturned Idaho's ban on same-sex marriage. Almost immediately, Gov. Otter filed a request to stop the ruling from taking effect and began an appeals process. The judge's ruling is temporarily halted, preventing same-sex marriage licenses from being issued." - KBSX

The beer announcement also came just days before Gov. Otter's primary election, which he won.

Giving a portion of its sales to two LGBT-focused organizations, solidifies Crooked Fence and Pre Funk's political message.

Knopp says he hasn't heard from Gov. Otter's office about their political product. The governor's office hasn't responded to our request for comment.

'Little Bitch Otter' Beer Maker To Give Some Proceeds To Gay Rights Groups

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