Former U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne died Friday night in Boise at the age of 74 after battling colon cancer, according to a statement from his family.

Kempthorne, a Republican, was diagnosed in March 2025 and underwent chemotherapy. His family said he passed away surrounded by loved ones and expressed gratitude for the support they received from across Idaho and the country.

“Our family is heartbroken, but we are also deeply grateful — for the time we had with him and for the extraordinary outpouring of love and support,” the family said, requesting privacy as they mourn.

Kempthorne’s political career spanned decades and multiple levels of government. He was first elected mayor of Boise in 1985 before going on to serve as a U.S. senator from Idaho from 1993 to 1999. He later served as Idaho’s governor from 1999 to 2006 before being appointed Secretary of the Interior under George W. Bush, a position he held from 2006 to 2009.

Following news of his death, Brad Little ordered U.S. and state flags to be lowered to half-staff and issued a statement reflecting on Kempthorne’s career and personal friendship.

Little described Kempthorne as a dedicated public servant whose leadership helped shape Idaho’s development, citing his work on education, infrastructure, and national advocacy for the state. He also noted Kempthorne’s role on the national stage, including his service as chairman of the National Governors Association.

After leaving federal office, Kempthorne remained active in public life, supporting military and veterans’ causes and advocating for the commissioning of the USS Idaho submarine, a project he had long supported but was unable to attend due to his illness.

When he publicly disclosed his diagnosis, Kempthorne encouraged others to stay current on medical screenings, using his experience to raise awareness about early detection and prevention.

Additional details regarding memorial services are expected to be announced in the coming days.