Idaho Democrats mourn the passing of Sen. Clint Stennett

Posted on Nov 1, 2010 in Uncategorized

Idaho Democrats are taking time from a busy campaign season to mourn the passing of Senator Clint Stennett, one of Idaho’s finest leaders. Stennett passed away on Thursday, October 14 after battling cancer for nearly 3 years. He was only 54 years old. Democrats throughout Idaho sent their love to Clint’s wife and partner in his public service, Michelle Stennett.

“Clint was an exceptional legislator with deep roots in Idaho and in the Magic Valley,” said R. Keith Roark, chair of the Idaho Democratic Party. “Clint’s common sense approach to solving problems and disarming sense of humor him made an ideal leader in the Idaho Legislature. He will be greatly missed.”

Stennett was raised on a dairy farm in the Jerome area and graduated from Valley High School in 1973. He attended the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls and then completed his degree in Journalism at Idaho State University.

At the age of 28, Stennett assembled a group of investors and purchased the Wood River Journal and eventually became its chief owner. When he sold the paper, Stennett went on to purchase and run television and radio stations in the Wood River Valley. He is one of the founders of the First Band of Idaho and served as a director of the Ketchum/Sun Valley Chamber of Commerce for nine years.

Stennett was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives in 1990 representing a district comprising Blaine, Gooding, Lincoln and Camas Counties. In 1994, he was elected to the Idaho State Senate in the same district, a position he held until his passing. He was elected each year he ran by such strong majorities that he eventually garnered little or no opposition.

After just two terms in the Idaho State Senate, Stennett’s colleagues elected him Leader of the Senate Democrats, a position he held until his illness forced him to step down in 2009.

“It was an honor and privilege to call Clint Stennett my friend and to serve under his leadership in the Idaho Senate,” said Sen. Kate Kelly (D-Boise) who succeeded Clint as Democratic Leader of the Idaho Senate and served with him from 2004-2010. “He was the longest serving Democratic Leader in the Idaho Senate and distinguished himself as a tireless public servant. He inspired his colleagues on both sides of the aisle,” Kelly said.

“Clint Stennett was a superb legislator and a model for many of us on how to be an effective representative of the people,” said Rep. John Rusche (D-Lewiston) Democratic Leader of the Idaho House of Representatives. “Clint Stennett knew how to build consensus on tough issues. If I am able to be half as effective as Clint, I would consider it a great success.”

“When Clint came to the Idaho Legislature in 1990, he brought that unique blend of outdoorsman, savvy businessman, and generous public servant that made him an ideal legislator,” said Jim Hansen, Executive Director of the Idaho Democratic Party who serve with Stennett in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1990-1994. “His sense of humor was contagious. Clint quickly developed a rapport with his colleagues from across the political spectrum and played a critical role in many issues that Idaho faced over the past two decades. He was a special friend who will be sorely missed in Idaho.”

Donations may be made to the Clint Stennett Scholarship Fund at the College of Southern Idaho, PO Box 1238, Twin Falls, ID 83301.