Associated Press - November 19, 2009 3:54 PM ET

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter slammed the former Idaho Transportation Department director who is suing the state on whistleblower and gender discrimination claims, calling her ineffective and saying he lost faith in her before she was fired.

Otter said Thursday he supported the Idaho Transportation board's move to fire Pam Lowe in July.

This month, Lowe filed a lawsuit against Idaho, contending she was terminated after refusing to bow to political pressure from Otter's office not to reduce a highway contract with 2 of his big political contributors.

The first female state highway director also says she was discriminated against because she's a woman.

Otter says, "In the end, despite her claims, Pam was ineffective and lost the faith and confidence of the board, my office and many in the Legislature."

Also Thursday, the agency appointed a new director, Brian Ness, from the roads agency in Michigan. Ness starts in January.

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