Ben Ysursa | |
|---|---|
| 26thSecretary of State of Idaho | |
| In office January 6, 2003 – January 5, 2015 | |
| Governor | Dirk Kempthorne Jim Risch Butch Otter |
| Preceded by | Pete Cenarrusa |
| Succeeded by | Lawerence Denney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Gonzaga University (BA) Saint Louis University (JD) |
| Profession | Attorney |
Benito 'Ben' T. Ysursa is an American attorney and politician who served as theSecretary of State of Idaho from 2003 to 2015. He is a member of theRepublican Party.
Ysursa is a native ofBoise, Idaho and was born to aBasque American family. His paternal grandparents, Benito Ysursa and Asuncion Camporredondo, were immigrants from theBasque Country. His father, Ramon Ysursa (1920-2015), was active in the Basque American community in Boise.[1]
Ben Ysursa graduated fromBishop Kelly High School in 1967. He earned a bachelor's degree fromGonzaga University in 1971 and aJuris Doctor from theSaint Louis University School of Law in 1974. He is ofBasque American descent.[2]
Ysursa was admitted to theIdaho State Bar in 1974. From 1974 to 2003, Ysursa served in the Idaho Secretary of State office under his predecessor,Pete T. Cenarrusa. He held the positions of Deputy Secretary of State (1974–1976) and Chief Deputy Secretary of State (1976–2003).
Ysursa was elected Secretary of State in 2002 with 77.5 percent of the vote.[3] He was reelected unopposed in 2006.[4][5] Ysursa was elected to a third term in 2010, defeatingDemocratic nominee Mack Sermon with 74.3 percent of the vote.[6] During his tenure in office, Ysursa was characterized as amoderate Republican.[7]
During the2014 Idaho gubernatorial election, Ysursa helped incumbent GovernorButch Otter's reelection campaign.[8] Ysursa did not seek reelection in2014, instead supporting the unsuccessful candidacy ofPhil McGrane.[9] Ysursa cited a lack of "fire in the belly" for his decision to not seek another term in office.[10]
Ysursa left office in 2015 and was succeeded by 2014 election victorLawerence Denney.[11][12] In2022, Ysursa actively supported McGrane's successful candidacy for Secretary of State.[13]
After leaving office in 2015, Ysursa joined Gallatin Public Affairs in an 'of counsel' position the firm.[14]
Ysursa endorsedDemocratic candidate Tom Arkoosh over Republican nomineeRaúl Labrador in the2022 Idaho Attorney General election. He stated that it was the first time he endorsed a Democrat for office, and that he would have supported incumbent RepublicanLawrence Wasden had he not lost the primary to Labrador. Ysura stated he was "chagrined by those who espouse the ‘big lie,’” former PresidentDonald Trump’sassertion that he actually defeated current PresidentJoe Biden in the2020 election".[15]
In April 2022, Ysursa joined theIdaho Statesman editorial board.[16]
Ysursa is married and has three children with his wife, Penny. They also have two grandchildren. He is a fan of theArizona Cardinals.[7]
He's one of Idaho's most respected politicians, and this year is helping run Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter's re-election campaign.
| Preceded by | Secretary of State of Idaho January 6, 2003–January 5, 2015 | Succeeded by |