The Faces of 1994 : From the Twentysomething Mayor Who Stayed Home to the Eightysomething Photographer Who Returned There, We Catch Up With some of These Pages’ Most Interesting Personalities : LARRY ECHOHAWK : ‘I Felt We Ran a Very Positive, Strong Campaign’

Even in the unpredictable, unfathomable, crap-shooting world of politics, Larry EchoHawk seemed a sure bet to become governor of Idaho.

He held a double-digit lead over his opponents and enjoyed the blessing of the incumbent governor. He is Native American, a devoted family man, a respected lawyer and Idaho’s current attorney general running against virtual nobodies.

And EchoHawk stumped with a message that no Idahoan could challenge: “Idaho is what America once was, and what America wants to be. Idaho is, simply, the last best place in America to live and raise a family. I want to keep it that way.”

The media from Tokyo to Washington--including The Times (“The Quiet Man,” Nov. 2, Life & Style)--followed EchoHawk’s campaign as this 46-year-old Pawnee sought to become the nation’s first Native American governor.

But as went America, so went Idaho.

EchoHawk, despite his correctness, despite a huge dignity and his appeal as a man who had traveled from dirt floors to high public office, was buried by the GOP landslide.

He received only 44% of the vote in a three-way contest won by Republican Phil Batt, a 67-year-old farmer from Wilder.

“It was a real surprise to the people of Idaho, myself included,” he recalled last week. “But when you’re running in the second most Republican state in America, when Republicans are running so strongly, it was bound to impact the Idaho election.”

Aides say that EchoHawk was as gracious in defeat as when running with victory presumed. He congratulated his opponents, and said he respected and accepted the will of the people. For this was America and democracy working.

“I was certainly at peace because I felt we ran a very positive, strong campaign,” he said. “I couldn’t be very disappointed because in my life, I’ve realized the very best America has to offer. I was just thrilled by the opportunity to run for the office of governor and to serve as attorney general.”

Monday, EchoHawk packs his bags as attorney general. The next day, he unpacks his books as professor of criminal trial practice and federal Indian law at his alma mater, Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

He says he will use that first semester to teach and recoup, to reflect and evaluate. There will soon be a U.S. Senate vacancy in Idaho. Congressional seats and a federal judgeship are opening up.

EchoHawk certainly is not selling his home in Boise.

Said a former campaign worker: “This nation has neither seen nor heard the last of Larry EchoHawk, Native American.”