James A. McClure

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.

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.

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, which had been held by Democrats since 1953. He defeated two-term incumbent Compton I. White, Jr. and was re-elected in 1968 and 1970.

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 Democrat 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.

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, served three terms, and was 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.

He was married to Louise Miller. In December 2008, 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 expected to recover, his health declined after additional strokes and he died from complications at his home in Garden City on February 26, 2011.