OPINION: Wayne Kidwell devoted many years to serving his state and nation
The Gem State lost an accomplished public figure this year with the Nov. 7 death of Wayne Kidwell at age 87. He was born in Council, Idaho, on June 15, 1938, and raised in Boise, where he supported himself during his last high school years. He spent many years faithfully serving the public in local, state and federal offices.
Kidwell graduated from Boise High School in 1956, obtained a BA degree from the University of Idaho in 1960 and a law degree from the U of I in 1964. He interrupted his studies twice — first, to serve a year in the U.S. Marine Corps and, again, to serve two years as an officer in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps, including a tour on the DMZ in Korea. He attained the rank of captain.
Kidwell’s first elective office was as Ada County prosecutor. He then went on to be the second Idahoan elected to the top level of all three branches of state government. In 1968, he was elected to the State Senate, where his Republican colleagues chose him as majority leader. He was elected as Idaho Attorney General in 1974, defeating the incumbent, Tony Park. In 1998, he was elected to the Idaho Supreme Court, retiring in January of 2005. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1972 and 1980. He was expected to run for governor in 1978 but decided instead to spend time with family.
In 1980, Kidwell was appointed as the first attorney general of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Two years later he was appointed Associate Deputy Attorney General for the Reagan Administration’s Department of Justice. His responsibilities included the Department’s liaison with the White House.
Kidwell’s tenure as Idaho’s attorney general was remarkable. He hired attorneys based on their qualifications, rather than political affiliation. He hired an excellent consumer protection chief, even after the candidate volunteered he’d voted for Kidwell’s opponent. In addition to providing competent legal advice and representation to the state, Kidwell steadfastly championed consumer protection, victims’ rights and scrupulous observance of the law, both by the public and by governmental entities at all levels.
Justice Kidwell brought his many years of public and private practice experience to the Idaho Supreme Court for six years, commencing in 1989. He left a life-long legacy of standing up for the rule of law. I took Wayne’s place on the Court in 2005. During the transition, we finally got to know each other and became good friends.
In addition to his legal work, Wayne was vitally interested in the world around him. He studied the cosmos, ancient civilizations, scientific theories and natural phenomena. He became an armchair expert on coffee with at least 3 high quality espresso machines so as to make the very best brew. During his last years, he actively participated in a lunch group dedicated to solving the problems of the state and nation. The group consisted of Wayne, me, former Ada County District Judge Duff McKee and Tony Park, Wayne’s 1974 opponent for the AG’s job. The foursome got along famously, viewing most social and political issues in the same light. It’s interesting how the passage of time can wisen your views and break down barriers. The group lost both Tony and Wayne in 2025. May they rest in peace.
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Jim Jones is a Vietnam combat veteran who served eight years as Idaho Attorney General (1983-1991) and 12 years as a Justice on the Idaho Supreme Court (2005-2017). He also publishes at substack.com/@jjcommontater