Idaho Governor Brad Little
Despite the fact that our industry is the state’s leading economic driver, Idaho hasn’t always been blessed with Governors who understand Agriculture.
But when we elected Brad Little as our 33rd Governor in 2018, we gained a person with an extensive dual career in agriculture and public service.
Brad is a grandson of Scottish-born Andrew Little, who came to the Emmett area in 1884 with two dogs and $25, and went on to became the largest sheep operator in Idaho and one of the largest in the nation. Brad was raised on his family’s sheep and cattle ranching operation.
He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness, and has worked in the ranching industry for his entire professional life.
In 1978, Brad married Teresa Soulen of Weiser, and they have two sons.
He first served in public office in 2001 when he was selected to fill a Senate vacancy. He was then elected to four consecutive terms to the Idaho Senate.
He managed Little Land and Livestock, for almost thirty years until his son, David, became manager in 2009 when Brad was appointed lieutenant governor. He continues to work as the head of Little Enterprises, Inc. (a diversified farming and cattle operation), and has been involved in a variety of private organizations and companies based in Idaho and the Mountain West.
Brad has advocated his whole life for limited government. Thanks to his leadership in Boise and beyond, we have a state government that realizes that the many challenges facing agriculture are best addressed with flexible approaches that recognize regional and local differences, and provide opportunities for all production sectors to actively engage in decisions that affect us.
Governor Little received a plaque commemorating his induction into the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame, letters of congratulation from Senator Mike Crapo and Senator Jim Risch, and a copy of the United States Congressional Record of Representative Mike Simpson’s speech congratulating Brad on his induction. (The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published by the United States Government Publishing Office and issued when Congress is in session).