Governor Otter being vetted for agriculture secretary

A spokesman for Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter says he is being considered as a possible candidate for agriculture secretary.

Jon Hanian confirmed Thursday the Republican governor is currently being vetted by President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team. Hanian added that he did not have any further information about other candidates or a time-frame about when a decision would be made.

Otter, 74, served as Trump’s honorary Idaho campaign chair during the last few months leading up to election after originally endorsing GOP Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

If selected, Otter would be the first agriculture secretary to be chosen from Idaho.

Otter was elected to a third term as governor in 2014 and has previously said that he would not run for a fourth term. He was lieutenant governor for 14 years before being elected to Congress in 2000.