Larry EchoHawk
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| Larry EchoHawk | |
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30th Attorney General of Idaho
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| In office January 7, 1991 – January 2, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Jones |
| Succeeded by | Alan G. Lance |
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| Born | August 2, 1948  Cody, Wyoming |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Pocatello |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Religion | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
Larry EchoHawk (born August 2, 1948 in Cody, Wyoming) was the first Native American elected to a constitutional statewide office, serving as Attorney General of Idaho from 1991 to 1995. EchoHawk is also an attorney and legal scholar.
EchoHawk was raised in Farmington, New Mexico. He attended Brigham Young University on a football scholarship (playing as a safety), then received his Juris Doctor degree in 1973 from the University of Utah and entered law practice in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1977 he became general legal counsel for the Fort Hall, Idaho-based Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
A Democrat, EchoHawk entered politics in 1982 by winning a seat in the Idaho State House of Representatives from Bannock County. Four years later he was elected Bannock County prosecuting attorney. In 1990 EchoHawk was elected Attorney General of Idaho.
EchoHawk served as national co-chair in 1992 for Native Americans for Clinton-Gore and was a principal speaker at that year's Democratic National Convention.
In 1994 EchoHawk announced his candidacy to succeed fellow Democrat Cecil D. Andrus, who was retiring as Governor of Idaho. EchoHawk easily won the Democratic nomination, fueling speculation that he could be the nation's first Native American governor. However, he was defeated in the general election by Republican Phil Batt. EchoHawk has not been a candidate for public office since.
Shortly after his 1994 defeat, EchoHawk accepted a faculty position at Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School. In that capacity he teaches courses in criminal law, criminal procedure and federal Indian law. He has also published several scholarly papers.
EchoHawk is the senior partner of EchoHawk Law Offices in Pocatello, Idaho. He is admitted to the bar in Idaho, Utah and California. He is a member of the Pawnee tribe and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is presently serving as a president of a stake of the church at Brigham Young University.
Echohawk joined the LDS Church at age 14 in Farmington, New Mexico. He has served as both a bishop and as a member of a high council. At the time he was elected State Attorney General in Idaho he was serving as a member of the board of trustees of LDS Social Services.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ LDS Church News, August 3rd, 1991
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Jim Jones |
Attorney General of Idaho January 7, 1991–January 2, 1995 |
Succeeded by Alan G. Lance |
| Preceded by Cecil D. Andrus |
Democratic Party nominee, Governor of Idaho 1994 (lost) |
Succeeded by Robert C. Huntley |
