James A. McClure

Jim McClure
United States Senator from Idaho
In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1991
Preceded by	Len Jordan
Succeeded by	Larry Craig
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
Personal details
Born	December 27, 1924(1924-12-27) Payette, Idaho
Died	February 26, 2011(2011-02-26) (aged 86) Boise, Idaho
Political party	Republican
Residence	Payette
Alma mater	U. of Idaho - So. Branch J.D. - U. of Idaho
Profession	Attorney
Military service
Service/branch	U.S. Navy
Years of service	1942–1946
Battles/wars	World War II

James Albertus "Jim" McClure (December 27, 1924 – February 26, 2011) was an American politician from the state of Idaho, most notably serving as a Republican in the U.S. Senate.

McClure attended public schools in Payette. Upon turning 18, he joined the U.S. Navy, having served during World War II, from 1942 to 1946. McClure graduated from the Navy Program at the University of Idaho-Southern Branch (now Idaho State University) in 1943. After his discharge from the Navy, he attended the University of Idaho's College of Law, graduating in 1950.

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 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.

In 1981, McClure joined Republican colleagues Jesse Helms of North Carolina and Steve Symms of Idaho in an unsuccessful fight to return to a purchase requirement for participation in the food stamp program. Helms cited a Congressional Budget Office study which showed that 75 percent of the increase in food stamp usage had occurred since the purchase requirement was dropped in 1977. Senators voted 33 to 66 against the Helms-McClure position. "It's obvious the majority of the Senate is not really concerned about constraining the growth of the food-stamp program," McClure said.

In 1984 McClure ran for Senate Majority Leader, but was defeated by Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, who three years earlier had led the intraparty opposition to the Helms-McClure position on reinstating the purchase requirement for food stamps.

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 of the Senate Republican Conference from 1981 to 1985.

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. Up until his death McClure maintained 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. Courthouse in Boise was renamed for McClure.

Death

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, McClure died at the age of 86 on February 26, 2011.

External links

• Congressional Biographical James A. McClure
• Federal Bldg. (1968) Boise, Idaho renamed for James A. McClure, 2001

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Compton I. White, Jr.	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Idaho's 1st congressional district January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1973	Succeeded by Steve Symms
United States Senate
Preceded by Len Jordan	United States Senator (Class 2) from Idaho January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1991 Served alongside: Frank Church, Steve Symms	Succeeded by Larry Craig
Political offices
Preceded by Henry M. Jackson	Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee 1981–1987	Succeeded by J. Bennett Johnston
Party political offices
Preceded by Len Jordan	Republican Party nominee for U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Idaho 1972, 1978, 1984	Succeeded by Larry Craig
Preceded by Bob Packwood	Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference 1981–1984	Succeeded by John Chafee