Linden Bateman
American politician from Idaho (1940–2026)
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Linden Bart Bateman (July 11, 1940 – January 22, 2026) was an American politician who was a Republican Idaho State Representative from 2010 until 2016, representing District 33 in the B seat.[1] He served five terms in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1977 until 1986.
Linden Bateman | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Idaho House of Representatives | |
| In office December 1, 2010 – November 30, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Russ Mathews |
| Succeeded by | Bryan Zollinger |
| Constituency | 33rd district Seat B |
| In office December 1, 1976 – December 8, 1986 | |
| Succeeded by | Con Mahoney |
| Constituency | 31st district (1977–1982) 32nd district Seat C (1982–1986) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 11, 1940 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Died | January 22, 2026 (aged 85) Idaho Falls, Idaho, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Deann Willes (m. 1965) |
| Alma mater | Brigham Young University |
Early life and education
Bateman was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 11, 1940.[2] He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Brigham Young University in 1982.[2]
Career
Bateman spent his career as a high school teacher. He was a history and government teacher. He later worked as supervisor of student teachers for Brigham Young University-Idaho.[3] He was a founding member of the Bonneville County Historical Society and was involved in forming that county's history museum.[4] He wrote the script for the short film Idaho Women in White and was also involved in compiling the photos used for it.[5]
Political office
Bateman previously served five terms in the Idaho House of Representatives from 1977 until 1986.[6]
He was a force behind Idaho's rescinding of its ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution.[7] Bateman was a major force behind the designation of March 4 as Idaho Day.[8] He also pushed to have cursive included in the elementary curriculum of Idaho.[9] Bateman continued as a speaker on history since he left the Idaho House.[10]
Personal life and death
Bateman was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[11] He died in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on January 22, 2026, at the age of 85.[12]
Elections
2014
Bateman was unopposed in the Republican primary.[13] Bateman defeated Jim De Angelis in the general election .[14]
2012
Bateman won the May 15, 2012, Republican primary with 2,680 votes (75.6%) against David Lyon, facing Democratic challenger Henry De Angelis[15] in the general election on November 6, 2012.
Bateman supported Mitt Romney for the Republican Party's nominee in the 2012 presidential election.[16]
2010
When Republican Representative Russ Mathews left the District 33 B seat open, Bateman won the May 25, 2010, Republican primary with 2,465 votes (66.8%) against Dane Watkins,[17] winning the November 2, 2012, general election with 6,036 votes (59.1%) against John McGimpsey (D).[18]