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Senate Judiciary backs Bart Davis as Idaho’s next U.S. Attorney; sends nomination to full Senate

Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, left pays tribute to Sen. Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, center, after the Idaho Senate adjourned for the year on March 29, 2017. Davis, who has served in the Senate for 19 years and as its majority leader for the past 15 years, was confirmed Thursday as the next U.S. Attorney for Idaho. (Katherine Jones / AP)
By Betsy Z. Russell betsyr@spokesman.com(208) 336-2854

The nomination of Idaho Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis to be the state’s next U.S. Attorney cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday on a unanimous voice vote, and now heads to the full Senate.

Idaho’s last U.S. Attorney, Wendy Olson, an Obama appointee, stepped down in February to make way for a Trump appointee. Davis, 62, an Idaho Falls attorney, was nominated by President Trump on June 29, with strong support from Idaho GOP Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch.

Davis, R-Idaho Falls, has served in the state Senate for the past 19 years, the last 15 as majority leader. He also practices law in Idaho Falls, where he specializes in commercial, regulatory, and transactional work. He serves on the Uniform Law Commission and is a past chairman of the Council of State Governments.

“With his extensive legal background and experience in public service, Sen. Davis embodies the sound legal judgment required to uphold the law while justly prosecuting those charged with crimes,” Crapo said.

“I was glad to see Bart Davis’ nomination to become Idaho’s next U.S. Attorney advance today,” Risch said Thursday. “Sen. Davis is a committed public servant who has my full confidence. Together, Mike Crapo and I will work to bring his nomination to the Senate floor as expeditiously as possible.”

Davis is a graduate of Brigham Young University and the University of Idaho College of Law. He and his wife, Marion, had six children, five of whom are still living; they have 14 grandchildren.