Kelly Arthur Anthon is a seventh-generation Idaho native raised on a family farm in Declo, Idaho where his family continuously operated a farm for over 100 years.

Senator Anthon, a licensed Idaho attorney, attended the University of Idaho’s College of Law where he was elected the College’s student body president and named the College of Law’s 2002 ‘Bistline Scholar’ by the Idaho Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Until 2012, Mr. Anthon, practiced law at the Rupert law firm of ‘Robinson, Anthon & Tribe’ where as a partner he focused on helping local farmers as well as municipal law, debt restructuring, and large business reorganization.  Mr. Anthon previously served as the appointed City Attorney for the cities of Burley, Rupert, Acequia, and Minidoka, Idaho.  At the time of his first appointment, he was the youngest appointed city attorney in the State of Idaho.  Mr. Anthon stepped away from his law firm to take the position of City Administrator in Rupert, Idaho.  Fluent in Japanese, Kelly also previously worked as an event coordinator and consultant for Japanese companies.  Today, he functions as an intermediary between Idaho, Japanese companies, and the Japanese Consul General stationed in Portland, Oregon.  In addition, Mr. Anthon directs a large potato fresh pack company, the Mart Group, as a member of its Board of Directors.

In 2013, the Idaho Business Review and the Times-News named Mr. Anthon one of Idaho’s 40 most accomplished and influential professionals under the age of 40.  He currently serves as a board member with the Southern Idaho Development Organization and as a board member of the Region IV Development Corporation.  Mr. Anthon has served as an executive board member of the Idaho Municipal Attorney Association.  He has also worked closely with hospitals in both Minidoka and Cassia Counties; he has served two terms as President of the Minidoka Healthcare Foundation and previously held a seat on the governing board of Intermountain Healthcare’s Cassia Regional Medical Center for ten years.  He is a member of his local Rotary club and previously volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America and the Idaho Department of the American Legion to operate the Gem Boys State program.

In 2015, Mr. Anthon was appointed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter to fill a vacancy in the Idaho State Senate.  He has been re-elected for three more terms. Senator Anthon now serves on the Senate Judiciary & Rules and State Affairs Committees.  Senator Anthon was also appointed to represent the Idaho State Senate as a member of the Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission.  In 2017, after two years in the Senate, he was elected the Majority Caucus Chair by Senate Republicans.  Last year, he was chosen by his colleagues to serve as the Idaho Senate Majority Leader.

Mr. Anthon is married to Joelle (Rogers) Anthon from Rupert, Idaho.  Together the couple has five children. 

Senator has been recognized by the Idaho Farm Bureau for his advocacy for Idaho’s farmers, ranchers, and dairymen.  The Idaho Food Producers has named Senator Anthon an “Ag Allstar” every year he has served in the legislature based on his pro-agriculture voting.