Thyra Stevenson

Thyra Kay Stevenson (September 4, 1944 – May 11, 2020) was an American politician from Idaho. She was a Republican member of Idaho House of Representatives from District 6 in the A seat, dying in office.

Thyra Stevenson
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives
from the 6th district
In office
December 1, 2016 – May 11, 2020
Preceded byDan Rudolph
Succeeded byAaron von Ehlinger
In office
December 1, 2012 – November 30, 2014
Preceded byTom Trail
Succeeded byDan Rudolph
Personal details
BornSeptember 4, 1944
Palo Alto, California, U.S.
Died (aged 75)
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Walter Noel Greenham
​
​
(m. 1978; died 2015)​
Children5
EducationBoston University (BA, BA)
New York University (MA)
University of Washington (PhD)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Coast Guard

Early life and education

Stevenson was born in Palo Alto, California, and moved to Lewiston, Idaho, with her family at the age of 13 when her father accepted a job with PotlatchDeltic. She graduated from Lewiston High School as her class's valedictorian in 1962.[1][2] Stevenson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree English and another in Spanish from Boston University. She earned a certificate in Spanish from the New York University of Madrid in Spain,[3] a Master of Arts in Spanish literature from New York University, and a PhD in Latin American literature from the University of Washington.[2]

Career

Stevenson began flying when she was a child. As an experienced pilot, she flew planes such as DC-3s, Convairs, Boeing 727 cargo and passenger planes.[4]

Stevenson served in the military as an aircraft commander, Flotilla commander, and pilot instructor in the United States Coast Guard. Stevenson was also a chief information officer in the AuxAir Squadron. She was a professor of Spanish at University of Washington.[2]

On November 6, 2012, Stevenson won the election and became a Republican member of Idaho House of Representatives for District 6 seat A. Stevenson defeated Pete Gertonson with 54.2% of the votes.[5]

On November 4, 2014, Stevenson was defeated by Dan Rudolf with 49.9% of the votes.[6]

On November 8, 2016, Stevenson was re-elected to her old seat in the Idaho House of Representatives. Stevenson defeated Bob Blakely with 56.55% of the votes.[7]

Stevenson was the vice-chair of the Revenue and Taxation Committee.[2] She died of heart problems while in office and Republican Governor Brad Little appointed Aaron von Ehlinger to the remainder of her term.[8] [9]

Elections
District 6 House Seat A - Lewis and Nez Perce Counties
Year Candidate Votes Pct Candidate Votes Pct
2012 Primary[10] Thyra Stevenson 2,566 100%
2012 General[11] Thyra Stevenson 9,814 54.2% Pete Gertonson 8,294 45.8%
2014 Primary[12] Thyra Stevenson (incumbent) 1,938 100%
2014 General

[6]

 Dan Rudolph 6,230 50.1% Thyra Stevenson (incumbent) 6,205 49.9%
2016 Primary[13] Thyra Stevenson 2,148 100%
2016 General[7] Thyra Stevenson 10,600 56.6% Bob Blakey 8,144 43.4%

Personal life and death

In 1978, Stevenson married Walter Noel Greenham (1941–2015), a Navy veteran and computer engineer. She had five children. Stevenson lived in California, until returning to Lewiston, Idaho after retirement. Stevenson served on the Lewiston City Council.[2][14]

Stevenson died on May 11, 2020, at age 75, from complications of a heart attack she suffered a week prior.[9]

References
  1. "Idaho Rep. Thyra Stevenson dies at 75". Idaho Press. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
  2. "Representative Thyra Stevenson's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  3. Communications, NYU Web. "Madrid". www.nyu.edu.
  4. Spence, William S. (February 16, 2014). "Pilot-lawmaker ready to soar". lmtribune.com. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  5. "November 6, 2012 General Election Results". sos.idaho.gov. November 6, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  6. Ysursa, Ben. "November 4, 2014 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  7. Denney, Lawerence. "Nov 8, 2016 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  8. Ex-Republican Lawmaker’s Trial for Raping Teen Intern Goes Off the Rails, Daily Beast, Justin Rohrlich, April 18, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  9. "Thyra Stevenson, Idaho state rep., dies at 75". KIDK. Associated Press. May 11, 2020. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  10. Ysursa, Ben. "May 15, 2012 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  11. Ysursa, Ben. "November 6, 2012 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on June 15, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  12. Ysursa, Ben. "May 20, 2014 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  13. Denney, Lawerence. "May 17, 2016 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  14. "Walter Noel Greenham". lmtribune.com. March 8, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
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