Batt, Philip (1927– )

US politician and governor of Idaho from 1995. A strong fiscal conservative, Batt is an outspoken critic of high taxation and regulation. His special interests are in agriculture and he is a member of a number of farming and growers' organizations.

Born in Wilder, Idaho, Batt graduated from Wilder High School and attended the University of Idaho 1944–48. His college studies were interrupted for two years when he volunteered for service with the Army Air Force. He was elected to the Idaho state legislature in 1965 and served two years in the Idaho house of representatives. He later served 14 years in the Idaho state senate with six years as the senate majority leader. He held the office of Lieutenant Governor 1978–82, where he positioned himself as an ombudsman.