'Statesman' Wasden
POCATELLO -- Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden has been named the 2008 Idaho Statesman of the Year.
The Republican attorney general received the award Saturday from Pi Sigma Alpha in a ceremony at the Stephens Performing Arts Center at Idaho State University in Pocatello.
The political science honor society has given past Statesman of the Year honors to Idaho Govs. Cecil Andrus and John Evans and U.S. Sens. Larry Craig, Jim McClure and Steve Symms.
Wasden has served as Idaho's attorney general since 2003, and is the president of the National Association of state attorneys general and is the Immediate Past Chair of the Conference of Western Attorneys General.
Among other things, Wasden has said he is committed to protecting Idahoans from consumer fraud schemes, including mortgage rescue scams, and is known for his work promoting Internet safety for children and consumers.
In January, Wasden said his office recovered $660,253 for Idaho consumers in 2007, and that the Consumer Protection Division of his office recovered more than $1.7 million in civil penalties, fees, and costs for the state.
He was elected to a second term in 2006, capturing 62 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Robert "Bob" Wallace, who had 38 percent support.