BOISE, Idaho — Longtime political analyst and commentator Dr. Jim Weatherby died on Tuesday, Feb. 20, Boise State University confirmed to KTVB in an email.
Weatherby is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dana, his children, and his grandchildren. He was director of Boise State's Public Policy Center and Social Science Research Center, and taught as an associate professor in the Department of Public Policy and Administration until his retirement in 2006. He also served on the faculty at the University of Idaho and Northwest Nazarene University.
"For many of us, we saw Jim on election nights on KTVB’s News Channel 7, where for years he provided important commentary and helped us better understand the context of the numbers that were flowing in after the Idaho polls closed," stated a news release from BSU.
At the start of Weatherby's career, he received his bachelor's of history from Northwest Nazarene University and obtained his master's and Ph.D in political science from the University of Idaho. Throughout the years he received many awards for explaining the complexities of Idaho politics.
Since 1998, The "James B. Weatherby Service Award", presented by the Idaho City Clerks, Treasurers, and Finance Officers Association, is given annually to a person giving outstanding service to Idaho cities.
In 2019 he was presented with the Ed and Dottie Stimpson Award for Civic Engagement.
In 2023 he received the School of Public Service’s “Enhancing Public Discourse Award" for his work promoting civil discourse in politics.
"Jim helped provide perspective on Idaho issues to TV viewers throughout the Gem State through his work on Channel 7 and on Idaho Public Television as an analyst and moderator. He truly helped us all better understand political candidates and the issues of the day in a nonpartisan way," the release stated.
BSU said a celebration of life for Weatherby will be announced soon.
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