James A. McClure

Infobox Senator
name = Jim McClure
small

jr/sr = United States Senator
state = Idaho
term_start = January 3, 1973
term_end = January 3, 1991
preceded = Len Jordan
succeeded = Larry Craig
office2 = Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Idaho's 1st district
term_start2 = January 3, 1967
term_end2 = January 3, 1973
predecessor2 = Compton I. White, Jr.
successor2 = Steve Symms
date of birth = birth date and age|1924|12|27
place of birth =Payette, Idaho
dead = alive
date of death =
place of death =
residence = Payette
spouse =
profession = Attorney
religion =
party = Republican|

James Albertus "Jim" McClure (born December 27, 1924 in Payette, Idaho) is an American politician from the state of Idaho, most notably serving as a Republican in the U.S. Senate.

Jim McClure attended public schools in Payette. Upon turning 18, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II, from 1942-46. McClure graduated from the Navy Program at the University of Idaho-Southern Branch (now Idaho State University) in 1943. After leaving the Navy, he attended the University of Idaho's College of Law, graduating in 1950.

From 1950-56, he served as prosecuting attorney for Payette County; he also served as city attorney for Payette from 1953-66. During this span, he was also a member of the Idaho State Senate, serving from 1961-66.

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 reelected in 1968 and 1970.

In 1972, McClure ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retiring Len Jordan. In the general election he defeated the Democratic nominee, Idaho State University President William E. Davis. McClure was reelected by wide margins in 1978 and 1984.

During his 18 years in the Senate, he served as the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources from 1981-87. He also chaired of the Senate Republican Conference from 1981-85. 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.

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

In September 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. Court House in Boise was renamed for McClure.

External links

* [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000346 Congressional Biographical] James A. McClure
* [http://www.id.uscourts.gov/boise.htm Federal Bldg. (1968) Boise, Idaho] renamed for James A. McClure, 2001