Her pet name for the longest serving Democratic U.S. Senator from Idaho was “Frosty.” They almost always traveled together during their frequent trips to Idaho, both during campaign season and the few non-election years when they could pare back a bit. The daughter of one Idaho governor, and the niece of another Idaho governor as well as a U.S. Senator, Bethine Church, who passed away on December 21st at the age of 90, was a skilled politician in her own right. Along with Frank Church’s long-time administrative assistant, Verda Barnes, she was the Senator’s top advisor on most matters, especially those that pertained to the politics of the home state. Most folks in Idaho, and within the D.C. Beltway, recognized her as the third Senator from Idaho/Chris Carlson, The Carlson Chronicles. More here. (2008 AP file photo: Bethine Church cheers as she introduces Hillary Clinton at the Ada County Democratic Caucus in Boise)

Other tributes to Bethine Church:

• Bethine Church/Marc Johnson, The Johnson Report
• Remarkable Bethine Church/Martin Peterson, Ridenbaugh Press
• Influence & kindness: Bethine Church remembered/Dan Popkey, Statesman

Thoughts?

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