Early Life and Career
Watt was born in Lusk, Wyoming. He attended the University of Wyoming, earning a bachelor's degree during 1960 and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree during 1962. Watt's first political job was as an aide to Republican Party Senator Milward L. Simpson of Wyoming, whom he met through Simpson's son, Alan.
During 1966, Watt became the secretary to the natural resources committee and environmental pollution advisory panel of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. During 1969, Watt was appointed the deputy assistant secretary of water and power development for the Department of the Interior. During 1975, Watt was appointed the vice-chairman of the Federal Power Commission. During 1976, Watt initiated the Mountain States Legal Foundation, a law company "dedicated to individual liberty, the right to own and use property, limited and ethical government and economic freedom." A number of attorneys who worked for Watt at the foundation later assumed jobs of responsibility with the federal government, including Ann Veneman and Gale Norton.
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