When most people think about elected legislators, they think about the work done during the legislative session at the Idaho Capitol. But for members of the Idaho Freedom Caucus, defending liberty and constitutional principles doesn’t begin and end in Boise. It’s a year-round endeavor.
Many of our Caucus members are also actively involved in their local Republican Party organizations. Recently many of us participated in the Idaho Republican Party State Convention. This involvement helps ensure we do our part to keep the Idaho Republican Party grounded in the principles of limited government, individual liberty, personal responsibility, strong families, and constitutional governance.
What Is the Idaho GOP Convention?
The Idaho Republican Party State Convention is held every two years and brings together delegates from across Idaho to conduct party business. Delegates represent Republican voters from their local legislative districts, counties and precincts (voting regions).
The Convention serves several important purposes:
Electing party leadership
Debating and adopting party rules
Updating the Idaho Republican Party Platform
Considering resolutions on important public policy issues
Building relationships between grassroots activists and elected officials
Setting the direction and priorities of the Republican Party moving forward
In many ways, the Convention serves as the voice of Republican grassroots members throughout Idaho. Our Republican Party Platform reflects the values and priorities that Republican voters expect their elected officials to champion. Being involved keeps us connected to the grassroots citizens who elected us.
Idaho Freedom Caucus Members in Action
This year’s convention saw strong participation from Idaho Freedom Caucus members serving in a variety of leadership and committee roles. Our Idaho Freedom Caucus members used the opportunity to meet with other legislators and discuss legislation for the upcoming session.
Rep. Tony Wisniewski: Served as a delegate and as the Chair of the Legislative District 5 delegation, which covers part of Kootenai County.
Rep. Elaine Price: Served as a Kootenai County delegate and on the Rules Committee, while also assisting with convention work involving the Credentials and Platform Committees.
Rep. Kyle Harris: Served as a Legislative District 7 delegate representing Idaho, Adams, and Nez Perce counties.
Rep. Rob Beiswenger: Participated as the Vice Chair of the Legislative District 8 delegation which covers Elmore, Valley, Boise and Custer counties. He spent time at the convention challenging positions he believed were inconsistent with the liberty-minded principles many Idaho Republicans expect from party leadership.
Sen. Tammy Nichols: Served as a Canyon County delegate, worked on the Credentials Committee, and introduced and passed a resolution supporting the federal SAVE Act.
Rep. Cornel Rasor: Remained actively engaged throughout convention activities serving as the Parliamentarian for two committees and for the general sessions.
Sen. Phil Hart: Served on the Platform Committee and as Chair of the Shoshone County delegates. He also continues to serve in a leadership role in rebuilding and strengthening his local county Republican organization.
Rep. Dale Hawkins: Served as a Legislative District 2 delegate, representing parts of Bonner and Kootenai counties and all of Shoshone, Benewah and Clearwater counties. He also served as a member of the Rules Committee.
The Idaho Freedom Caucus was founded on the belief that representative government works best when elected officials remain connected to the people they serve. That means showing up not only at the Capitol, but also in county central committees, legislative district organizations, town halls, grassroots events, and state party meetings.
From local precinct meetings to statewide policy debates, the work of preserving liberty requires engagement at every level. Idaho Freedom Caucus members understand that protecting Idaho’s conservative values is a year-round effort, and the Idaho GOP Convention is one of the many places where that work continues.
The Idaho Freedom Caucus members would like to congratulate former Idaho Freedom Caucus member Dorothy Moon on her re-election as Idaho Republican Party Chairman!
(Pocatello Fire Department Press Release, June 23, 2026)
As our community prepares to celebrate America’s historic 250th anniversary, the Pocatello Fire Department is urging residents to prioritize safety and follow local fireworks regulations.
Following a warm winter with limited snowfall and continued dry conditions, grasses and brush throughout the area are highly susceptible to fire. Under these conditions, a single spark can quickly ignite a fast-moving fire, threatening homes, property, and lives.
Residents are reminded that only “Safe and Sane” fireworks are permitted within Pocatello city limits. Fireworks are strictly prohibited in all Wildland-Urban Interface areas, also known as WUI areas, including the foothills and other designated high-risk locations.
What are “Safe and Sane” fireworks?
Safe and Sane fireworks do not fly, travel, or explode. Examples of safe and sane fireworks include sparklers, fountains, cones, and smoke devices. Any firework that leaves the ground or explodes is illegal in Idaho without a special permit. Fireworks sold at licensed stands within the City of Pocatello meet Safe and Sane requirements.
“We all want to celebrate this important milestone in our nation’s history,” said Interim Fire Chief Shane Grow. “With conditions as dry as they are, we need everyone to use caution and make responsible choices. A safe celebration starts with each of us doing our part to prevent wildfires.”
In preparation for the holiday, the City’s Police, Fire, and Public Works departments are taking additional precautions to help reduce fire risk and respond quickly to emergencies. Crews will be monitoring conditions closely and are prepared to respond should incidents occur.
Fireworks Safety Tips
Know Where Fireworks Are Allowed: Fireworks are prohibited in WUI areas and the foothills. Use the QR code below to view a map of approved areas.
Choose a Safe Location: Use fireworks only on a flat, nonflammable surface away from dry vegetation, vehicles, and structures.
Keep Water Nearby: Have a garden hose or bucket of water readily available.
Dispose of Fireworks Properly: Soak used fireworks in water overnight before placing them in the trash.
Supervise Children: Never allow young children to handle fireworks, including sparklers.
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, let’s honor our country by helping keep our neighborhoods, firefighters, and community safe.
(Attorney General’s Office Press Release, June 23, 2026)
BOISE, ID — As Idahoans book flights and hotels for summer vacations, Attorney General Raúl Labrador is warning families to watch for travel scammers looking to steal their money before they ever leave home. Scammers often buy fake online ads that mimic well-known airlines and hotel chains, listing phony customer service numbers or linking to fraudulent booking websites designed to look legitimate. Before entering payment information or calling a number found online, Idahoans should verify they are on the business’s official website and never trust a phone number or link found in an advertisement.
“Scammers count on vacation excitement to cloud your judgment, and they’re getting more sophisticated every year,” said Attorney General Labrador. “A fake ad, a phishing text, or a too-good-to-be-true deal can drain your account before your trip ever starts. My office pursues these fraudsters and works to shut them down, but the best protection is a skeptical consumer. If a price looks too good or a payment method feels wrong, trust that instinct.”
Scammers have driving vacations covered, too, sending texts about fake unpaid tolls or traffic tickets and demanding immediate payment. Instead of reaching for your wallet, reach out to the agency directly using a phone number or website you know is right — not the info or link from the text. Idahoans are no strangers to those scams, and the Attorney General has issued scam alerts on those tactics as well.
Here are some other ways to avoid vacation scams:
Get all the details before you commit. If the organizer can’t or won’t give you more specific details (other than saying “you’ll stay at a ‘five-star’ resort”), walk away – quickly.
Do your research. Look up the names of travel companies, hotels, rentals, and agents with the words “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” See what others say independently about them before you commit. Don’t just rely on a website with beautiful pictures and promises of luxury.
Be wary of payment methods. Vacation scammers regularly request payment by wire transfer, gift card, payment app, or through cryptocurrency ATMs. Scammers prefer these methods because it’s nearly impossible to get your money back. Payment requested through these means are almost always red flags for fraud and scams.
Always read the small print. The fine details often contain critical refund limitations, exclusion dates, disclaimers about actual pricing, availability, third party vendors, and other important facts that could easily ruin a vacation.
If you think you’ve been the victim of a vacation scam, visit ReportScamsIdaho.com for scam prevention resources or to file an investigative complaint with the Idaho Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
June 22, 2026 (Cover Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)
The Future of the Idaho GOP Platform
What a weekend.
The 2026 Idaho GOP State Convention concluded on Saturday evening following three days packed with events, elections, discussion, and debate. As readers know, I proposed a refresh of the party platform that would shrink it from 20 pages of detailed policy positions into a two-page preamble followed by a short list of specific legislative priorities. It passed the Platform Committee on Thursday afternoon and had momentum heading into the general session of the convention.
To be honest, I wasn’t even sure my proposal would pass the committee. However, it soon took on a life of its own. Chairman Bjorn Handeen has spent considerable time studying the history of political platforms in general and the Idaho GOP Platform in particular, and he was enthusiastic about the proposal. We had a robust debate in committee not only about the nature of party platforms in general, but also about what specifically should be included in ours. Branden Durst made several thoughtful suggestions regarding the list of legislative priorities. For someone like me who enjoys discussions and debate, it was a great four hours.
By Friday evening, however, I could see that my proposal was being used as a weapon of division by a small but loud cadre of confrontational-politics enthusiasts. Greg Pruett resurrected his Idaho Second Amendment Alliance brand long enough to send an email blast to his subscribers accusing me of watering down the party’s position on gun rights, which was absurd, of course. The new proposal included the very words of the Second Amendment itself—”shall not be infringed”—but people will do anything for clicks these days. Ironically, just a few years ago Pruett was vice chair of the Constitution Party, whose platform plank on the Second Amendment consists of a single sentence.
Several delegates were preparing to dismantle the new platform on the floor Saturday morning, and I suspected that others were preparing to use it as a weapon against Chairwoman Dorothy Moon’s bid for reelection. I saw numerous comments suggesting that I was “destroying the platform” on her behalf, or on behalf of House Speaker Mike Moyle. That’s the sad thing about confrontational politics: eventually your positions are defined by nothing more than who you hate at any given moment.
To be clear, this proposal did not come from Dorothy Moon. Many months ago, I let her know I wanted to explore the idea, and she said that was fine, but I did not share the text of the proposal itself until after I had submitted it to be part of the platform packet at the convention. The accusation that Moyle was involved is even more absurd. To be equally clear: I did not have a single conversation with the speaker regarding this idea to streamline the platform.
All that said, the vast majority of the feedback I received was positive. Numerous delegates from all across the state came up to me during the convention and told me they thought it was a great idea and thanked me for doing it. Almost every elected official I spoke with was in favor of some sort of streamlining as well. Critics could say that’s because they don’t want to be held accountable, but I don’t think that’s the case. I believe those who have served in the Legislature and participated in the lawmaking process have a different perspective than those who argue in the ivory towers of conventions and social media.
At conventions, we tend to debate ideals—that is, how things should be in a perfect world. We discuss questions such as precisely when life begins, whether property taxes or income taxes should be eliminated—of both!—or whether government itself should be reduced by 99 percent. Legislators, however, must operate in the real world of coalition-building, committee hearings, floor votes, and political constraints. Turning principles into law requires more than simply writing them on paper. It is a difficult process that involves compromise, strategy, and the practical realities of governing.
As I said, however, by Friday night this idea, rather than being carefully discussed and debated, had turned into a cudgel against me, but even more so against Chairwoman Moon. I called her that night and suggested it might calm things down if I made the motion myself to withdraw the new proposal. She said that, should she win reelection, she would appoint a committee to examine ideas regarding the platform over the next two years, and I thought that would be a great idea.
I want people to know that withdrawing the proposal was my idea. I wasn’t cajoled into it. On Saturday morning, I worked out a plan with Brent Regan in which he would move to replace the platform committee report with the 2024 document adopted in Coeur d’Alene, and I would second the motion and explain why I was doing it. Based on the applause I heard when Regan made the motion—clearly less than half the room—I suspect the new platform might have won a majority on the floor. But at what cost?
Even if it had won, it would have taken several hours of debate and parliamentary procedures, leading to more hurt feelings and bad blood. The fact that both Sen. Christy Zito and Rep. Lucas Cayler mentioned the platform fight in their nominating speeches for Mark Fuller for state chair gave the game away. I suspect Fuller was counting on using anger over the platform to drive votes against Dorothy Moon, and I could not allow that to happen.
I said from the beginning that the purpose of this proposal was to start a conversation, and in that I have succeeded. I don’t have an ego attachment to this project that requires me to win at all costs and without delay. Having a committee discuss the issue slowly and transparently between now and the next convention is an excellent idea, and I think it is the ideal outcome from all of this.
I don’t even need to be on the committee—I’ve already started the conversation, after all—though I will consider serving if asked. I would like to see a few sitting legislators there to bring a realistic perspective of what the platform really means in practice; otherwise, it simply continues the problems of the ivory tower.
I believe much of the passionate debate over this issue involved people talking past each other. The core question is: What is the platform? Is it a long and detailed document explaining the minutiae of every policy position held by party grassroots activists? Or should it be a set of specific and actionable instructions to our elected officials?
I came away from the convention with the understanding that many engaged activists absolutely see it the first way. I appreciate the reasoned debate over this issue from several critics, including Nicolas Gatejen, Hari Heath, and Rep. Dale Hawkins. Those who simply used this as a weapon for clicks and outrage need not be named.
Contrary to disingenuous critics who claim I’m acting as the hatchet man for whichever figures they hate most, I’ve been thinking about this issue for a long time. Yesterday I was reviewing my convention recaps from 2022 and 2024 and found this snippet that I wrote following the Twin Falls convention four years ago:
Ideology matters. Every two years the Idaho Republican Party passes a platform that is supposed be the philosophical mission statement of the party. I get the sense that those in leadership do not take the platform seriously. In observing and interacting with several old guard Republican leaders such as Senator Chuck Winder and future Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, I got the impression that they see this whole affair as a sideshow to placate the rank and file. Do they read the platform and make an effort to hold to it? Or do they give it lip service and then go back to work with their wealthy donors and powerful lobbyists? Do the PCs who make up the various central committees of the Idaho Republican Party have a role to play in educating voters about the platform and holding our candidates and elected officials to it?
I still believe that most elected officials see the convention and the platform as a sideshow. It’s too long, too complex, and not relevant to what they see as their real legislative work. My goal here was not to water it down, but to make it matter—to take a dull instrument and make it sharper.
The concept of using the platform to hold elected officials accountable is, in many ways, a tautological mirage, because words don’t hold people accountable; people hold people accountable. If a central committee censures a politician using the platform as a guide, then voters must respond by rejecting that politician. That only happens if voters are on board in the first place.
Voters in District 6 rejected Rep. Lori McCann’s Senate bid not because they read all 20 pages of the platform and concluded she was out of step, but because they themselves held positions from which McCann had drifted. Conversely, voters in District 32 reelected Sen. Kevin Cook and Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen despite their censure because those legislators remained in step with their constituents. Voters throughout Idaho each have different ideas about what it means to be conservative, and they will only see the platform—assuming they even read it at all—as authoritative if it reflects what they already believe.
One interesting idea that numerous people brought up over the weekend was to have two documents: a longer platform containing all the specific positions we have now, along with a shorter list of legislative priorities for the upcoming session. That is something Branden Durst proposed at the 2024 convention, which was the moment I began thinking about how to make it possible.
If we had two documents, we could have the best of both worlds. Grassroots activists could have their long list of positions, with as much detail as they want, while legislators and candidates could have a much shorter and more specific list of priorities on which they could campaign and then be held accountable.
The danger of a legislative priority list is that it could become too vague. Just this morning, Tommy Payne at Current Revolt evaluated the legislative priorities that came out of the Republican Party of Texas state convention earlier this month and noted how many of them were too vague to be enforceable:
It’s a beautiful list. It’s also, with one exception, a list of feelings.
And that’s the scam. It’s the master key to every other scam in Texas. Get this one and you get all of it.
The Legislature makes laws. That’s the whole job. They’re wordsmiths. Lawyers, mostly. And like a chatbot, the only thing they produce is words on a page. In their world, language isn’t the most important thing, it’s the only thing.
So a priority written as a feeling can’t be measured. It can’t be failed. It never has to actually happen. The scam lives in the wording. It always does.
I still firmly believe that a smaller, sharper platform would benefit voters and candidates alike. I have also come to realize how important our current detailed policy document is to grassroots activists. I look forward to continuing the conversation over the next two years about how best to translate our values into policies that protect the liberties we enjoy here in Idaho.
Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the Gem State Chronicle. I encourage our readers to visit their website and consider subscribing. Find this and other informative articles at the Gem State Chronicle here: About – Gem State Chronicle
(Idaho Secretary of State’s Office, June 22, 2026)
Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of men signed their names to a document that changed the world.
This Fourth of July, we get to celebrate what came next.
In less than two weeks, Idahoans will gather in downtown Boise for the Idaho America250 Capitol Celebration. It’s a free, all-day event marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and a milestone none of us will see again. I invite you to join us and make it one to remember.
The day begins with the Veterans Entrepreneur Alliance Pancake Breakfast, followed by the Fourth of July Parade and an A-10 flyover. Throughout the day, the Capitol grounds will be filled with activities, exhibits, food vendors, and live entertainment showcasing incredible talent from Idaho.
I’m especially excited that Idaho’s own Josh Ritter will headline a free afternoon concert alongside a terrific lineup of Idaho musicians. The Idaho State Museum will also offer free admission, and the Capitol will be open with special displays and exhibits highlighting Idaho’s role in our nation’s story.
Events like this don’t happen without the support of dedicated volunteers. If you’d like to help out and be part of this historic celebration, I encourage you to sign up through our volunteer interest form below. Volunteers will receive a complimentary event t-shirt and play a critical role in helping make the day a success.
Fourth of July Parade featuring an A-10 flyover (10:00 a.m.)
Free admission to the Idaho State Museum
Capitol tours and special exhibits
Food trucks and family activities
Free concert featuring Josh Ritter and other Idaho artists
Free and open to the public
Concert Schedule
11:30 a.m. – 25th Army Band
12:00 p.m. – Chad Marvin & EllieMae
12:30 p.m. – Jeff Crosby
1:30 p.m. – Afrosonics
2:15 p.m. – Josh Ritter
If you can’t make it to Boise, Idaho Public Television will broadcast the concert live statewide so Idahoans everywhere can join the celebration.
And if you’re spending the holiday closer to home, communities across Idaho are hosting America250 events and commemorations throughout the year. You can find a full calendar of activities at america250.idaho.gov.
Thank you to the many community partners, volunteers, artists, and organizations helping bring this celebration to life. We look forward to commemorating this historic anniversary and celebrating with Idahoans from every corner of our great state.
See you on the Fourth!
Phil McGrane
ABOUT SECRETARY PHIL McGRANE
Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022.McGrane holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.
BOISE, Idaho — Governor Brad Little today signed Executive Order 2026-06, granting state employees two additional days of paid leave surrounding the Independence Day holiday in recognition of America250, the nationwide celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Under the executive order, eligible executive branch employees will receive paid leave on Thursday, July 2, 2026, and Monday, July 6, 2026, in addition to the state-observed Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 3, 2026.
“America’s 250th anniversary is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate the enduring ideals of freedom, self-government, and opportunity that have made our nation the greatest in the world. Idaho’s public servants work hard every day on behalf of their fellow citizens, and this additional time off allows them to celebrate this historic milestone with family and friends, participate in community events, and reflect on the sacrifices of the generations who secured and preserved our liberty,” Governor Little said.
The executive order recognizes the significance of July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, and highlights Idaho’s participation in the nationwide America250 commemoration. The order also acknowledges the contributions of Idaho’s state employees, whose service helps keep Idaho strong, prosperous, and free.
Agency directors will ensure the continued operation of essential government functions and public safety services. Employees required to work on the designated leave days will be compensated in accordance with applicable state laws, rules, and agency policies.
Governor Little encouraged all Idahoans to take part in America250 activities throughout the year, honor veterans and service members, celebrate the nation’s founding principles, and reflect on the values that have guided the United States for two and a half centuries.
“America’s story is one of courage, perseverance, innovation, and faith in the promise of freedom. As we celebrate this historic anniversary, may we honor our nation’s remarkable past and look confidently toward its future,” Governor Little said.
MORE INFORMATION ON ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE AMERICA250
In addition, Idahoans are invited to a FREE community celebration on the Capitol steps and Cecil Andrus Park in downtown Boise on July 4. Additional details on the America250 Capitol celebration are available at https://america250.idaho.gov/events-calendar/capitol-celebration/.
There are many other great community events going on across Idaho for America 250. The full list of events happening in the state is available at https://america250.idaho.gov/.
(Department of the Interior Press Release, June 22, 2026)
WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior today announced two coordinated regulatory actions aimed at modernizing federal onshore oil and gas policy, eliminating unnecessary administrative barriers, and strengthening the nation’s long-term energy leadership. The proposals revise both the Bureau of Land Management’s oil and gas leasing rule and the waste prevention rule, reinforcing the Trump administration’s commitment to responsible development, lower energy costs for families, and the continued expansion of American Energy Dominance.
These rules will advance two key changes for oil and gas development. First, the Department is ending the Biden-era state-wide bonding requirement that raised costs to $500,000 and replacing it with the previous $25,000 standard while gathering public input on a fair long-term approach. Making it so this rule is no longer being weaponized to penalize energy development. Second, updates to the waste prevention rule are expected to cut compliance costs by nearly $17 million annually, reduce red tape, and bring greater transparency for taxpayers.
“Energy Dominance requires regulatory clarity,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “These targeted updates cut through the red tape that has historically deterred investment, ensuring our public lands remain a reliable engine for economic growth and innovation.”
The proposed revisions to the oil and gas leasing rule streamline outdated procedures that have slowed development and deterred investment. They update processes in line with Executive Order 14154, “Unleashing American Energy,” and Secretary’s Order 3418, helping improve predictability for operators while maintaining responsible resource management. The rule would:
Authorize noncompetitive leases after competitive auctions.
Remove the expression of interest leasing preference review.
Shorten public participation time frames from 90 days to 10 days
Seek input on current bond amounts.
Modernize filing fees.
Provide replacement lease sales when previous offerings are canceled or delayed.
Limit lease suspension approvals to one year with improved timing requirements.
The revisions to BLM’s waste prevention rule are designed to remove litigation risk, reduce operational uncertainty, and offer clear, objective standards. The proposed rule would:
Eliminate requirements for waste minimization plans and self‑certification statements with applications for permit to drill.
Replace subjective sundry-notice evaluations with defined royalty standards.
Establish firm definitions for avoidable and unavoidable losses, authorized venting and flaring, emergencies, and measurement standards.
Consolidating updates into a single rulemaking provides greater clarity for operators and supports the Administration’s goal of efficient, responsible energy production. The rule will be renamed “Royalty for Oil and Gas Lost from Onshore Federal and Indian Leases.”
Together, these regulatory steps reflect a broader strategy, supported by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, Secretary’s Order 3418, and Executive Order 14154, to eliminate unnecessary obstacles to domestic energy production, modernize resource management, and strengthen the nation’s long-term energy resilience. These reforms will further accelerate development, enhance clarity for operators, expand economic opportunity, and reinforce the nation’s enduring commitment to responsible stewardship and American energy leadership.
The publication of Federal Register notices for each proposed rule will open a 60‑day public comment period.
June 20, 2026 (Cover Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)
Idaho GOP Convention Concludes With Leadership Election
By: Gem State Chronicle Publisher Brian Almon
The Idaho GOP State Convention concluded Saturday with officer elections. Delegates voted on the positions of chair, first vice chair, second vice chair, treasurer, and secretary of the state party. Despite the usual rhetoric that accompanies contested elections, the results were not very close. Dorothy Moon became the first Idaho GOP state chair to win a third term since Dennis Olsen in the early 1980s, prevailing in a three-way contest against former state senator Steven Thayn and incumbent first vice chair Mark Fuller.
According to party rules, winning candidates must receive a majority of the total votes, which would have required a runoff had none of the three achieved 50 percent plus one. Moon won 306 votes, or 51.4%, barely avoiding a runoff against Thayn, who finished second with 155 votes, or 26.1%. Fuller came in third with 134 votes, or 22.5%.
By way of disclosure, Moon’s victory means I will continue in my role as communications consultant for the Idaho GOP. I’ve been accused of supporting Dorothy Moon out of self-interest, but that’s actually backwards. I’ve been proud to work with her because I believe in what she is doing for the party and for Idaho.
Incumbent second vice chair Viki Purdy, an Adams County commissioner, won the election for first vice chair in a landslide over former state senator Branden Durst, 497 votes to 91. After incumbent treasurer Steve Bender vowed not to run again if Dorothy Moon were reelected state chair, Sandra Eaton defeated Greg Graf 383 votes to 185. In an all-Kootenai County contest, Carla Mattare defeated Kellie Palm in the race for secretary, 431 to 154.
Former state representative Julianne Young was the only nominee for second vice chair and won election by acclamation.
Interestingly enough, all five officers elected on Saturday afternoon are women. I won’t hold my breath waiting for the local media to celebrate this accomplishment. It certainly creates a unique dynamic as the Idaho GOP prepares to lead the fight against the abortion initiative that is likely headed for the November ballot.
Dorothy Moon saw her vote count decrease from her victories in 2022 and 2024 but still managed to win a majority on the first ballot. Her challengers came from very different angles.
Steven Thayn took an intellectual approach, emphasizing big ideas about how to unite Republicans and address issues such as education, healthcare, and poverty. He distributed a book he had written called The Freedom Blue Print, which was intended to address these issues and give the Idaho GOP something to rally around. I’ll have more to say about these ideas in the future because I believe they have merit.
Thayn was nominated by Leah Vickery, a fellow delegate from Gem County, and seconded by Bruce Loertscher from Bonneville County, demonstrating support from the eastern Idaho faction.
Moon’s other challenger was Mark Fuller, who has been a leader in the conservative faction within the Idaho GOP for a long time. At the 2020 state convention in Nampa, which was my first Idaho GOP experience, Fuller lost the chair race to Tom Luna by a mere twelve votes. He ran for second vice chair in 2022 and first vice chair in 2024 and surely expected to be Moon’s heir apparent following her two terms.
Yet friction developed over the past two years, following the same factional divide between those aligned with the Gang of 8, the Idaho Freedom Foundation, Young Americans for Liberty, and others, and the rest of Idaho’s conservative legislators and activists. Fuller’s choice to be nominated by Sen. Christy Zito and seconded by Rep. Lucas Cayler, both members of the Gang of 8 Caucus, demonstrated his close connection to that faction. Frankly, I was surprised he didn’t have an unaligned delegate lined up as either nominator or seconder.
Dorothy Moon was once again nominated by Brent Regan, longtime chair of the Kootenai County GOP who transitioned this year to chairing Region II of the party. Her husband, Darr, seconded the nomination, giving a heartfelt speech in support of Dorothy’s work for the party.
Sitting in the front row, I was amused by the game of chicken played between Regan and Zito over who would nominate first. There is a certain strategy to being the last to speak, but if the nominators wait too long, the chair could rule nominations closed and both would be left out. Eventually, Regan bit the bullet and made his nomination.
All three candidates emphasized their commitment to fighting the abortion initiative, which will be the defining battle of this electoral cycle in Idaho.
This convention marked a change in the factional divides that have existed within the Idaho GOP for many years. As I wrote last month, members of each faction within the Idaho GOP would describe themselves as “conservative,” making it difficult to choose appropriate labels. I often refer to my own side, with its power base in the west and north and its emphasis on individual liberty, as conservatives, while I have referred to the other side, based mostly in the south and east and more concerned with community institutions, as moderates or the establishment. Out of charity, I’ll refer to the factions as western and eastern for now, though as you’ll soon see, even this is inadequate.
In 2019, the Idaho GOP State Central Committee met to elect a new chair following the resignation of Jonathan Parker. Raúl Labrador, recently retired from Congress and coming off a very close loss in the 2018 gubernatorial primary, defeated former state superintendent Tom Luna 111–109. The following year, with Labrador declining to run for a full term, Luna defeated Mark Fuller 274–262. There was a clear factional divide in the party, and it was fairly evenly balanced.
2022 was a turning point. Many people became involved in politics following the COVID-19 lockdowns and were looking for strong leaders who would fight on their behalf. The eastern faction, with its focus on community institutions and maintaining tradition, seemed unprepared for the backlash against the lockdowns. Following a very close loss in the 2022 secretary of state primary, former state representative Dorothy Moon came into the 2022 convention like a wrecking ball, defeating Luna 434–287. She won reelection in 2024 over former state senator—and fellow secretary of state candidate—Mary Souza by an even larger percentage, 376–228.
The 2024 victory was even more impactful considering the statewide campaign by the Gem State Conservatives against Moon and the precinct committeemen who supported her. GSC (not to be confused with the Gem State Chronicle!) was originally organized by two former state chairmen, Tom Luna and Trent Clark, and supported eastern-faction candidates throughout the state. While successful in taking over the Bonneville County GOP, and with its allies in the North Idaho Republicans gaining ground in Kootenai County, GSC struggled to make headway elsewhere. As you can see in the charts, the western faction maintained a strong hold on the party.
This year’s three-way race shows that the factional divide has become more complicated. Whereas Dorothy Moon and Mark Fuller shared the stage in 2024 following a conservative sweep of the officer elections, they faced off this year as rivals. Fuller’s faction consisted of those loyal to the Gang of 8, IFF, YAL, and others, but also several who had become personally frustrated with Moon over the years. Then-Treasurer Steve Bender, for example, had a dustup with Moon following Friday’s general session, in which Bender’s credentials committee report turned into more than two hours of tedious back-and-forth on the floor. In frustration, he threw his support behind Fuller, pledging not to run again if Moon were reelected.
On the other side, Steven Thayn is not exactly a member of the eastern Gem State Conservatives faction—his rhetoric and ideas are very different from those of Tom Luna or Trent Clark. Yet he was their candidate in this race.
As you can see, the Moon and Fuller vote totals combine for nearly 77.5% of the ballots cast, substantially higher than Moon’s 62.25% share in 2024. Yet the three-way race confounds the data a bit. A more accurate gauge of the ideological factions might be somewhere between Sandra Eaton’s mark of 67.4% in the treasurer race and Carla Mattare’s 72.8% in the secretary race. It’s clear in any case that western-style conservatism is in control of the Idaho GOP, yet differences in strategy, rhetoric, and style have created a new divide just as tangible as any ideological disagreement.
My day-after interpretation of these results is that, in voting for Dorothy Moon, a majority of delegates expressed support for a pragmatic firebrand. Moon is outspoken and does not mince words about her beliefs on any subject. However, she has demonstrated both a willingness and an ability to work with figures throughout the party. For example, her partnership with Sen. Jim Risch and his team has grown substantially over the past year as Risch prepared for this year’s reelection campaign. She has also shown an ability to get things done, such as the presidential caucus, two conventions, the fight against ranked-choice voting, and more. Even those who might have been critical in the past know what they’re getting with Moon, while Fuller and Thayn both represented unknowns.
Dorothy Moon represents the core majority of the Idaho GOP grassroots, with both the eastern establishment faction and the confrontational-politics faction now left in the minority. Perhaps she really can unite the party by bringing together the best of all sides. We need a certain pragmatism in understanding how politics works and how to actually get things done. We also need a bold vision for how things should be.
Of course, more happened at the convention than the election of officers. On Saturday morning, I worked with Brent Regan to withdraw my proposal to create a more concise Idaho GOP Platform. I still believe this is the direction we should go, but two years of slow and deliberate discussion will be better for everyone. I’ll have more to say on that issue in a future article.
The convention also adopted a slate of resolutions, not including one regarding support for Israel, which was stricken on the floor by Sen. Brian Lenney, a delegate from Canyon County. I’ll cover the resolutions in a future article as well.
All in all, my fourth Idaho GOP state convention was another amazing experience. Volunteers from the Ada County GOP did a great job hosting the event. I always enjoy seeing my friends—and adversaries—from across the Gem State together in one room. I believe the party emerges from this convention stronger and more unified, ready to fight the abortion initiative and not only keep Idaho red, but make it more conservative than before.
Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the Gem State Chronicle. I encourage our readers to visit their website and consider subscribing. Find this and other informative articles at the Gem State Chronicle here: About – Gem State Chronicle
(Bannock County Coroner’s Office Press Release, June 22, 2026)
The Bannock County Coroner’s Office, in cooperation with Pocatello Police and Idaho State Police, has confirmed the identity of the deceased following the vehicle collision near the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and East Cedar Street in Pocatello on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Deceased: Rayne Rose-Marie Singer, 26, of Fort Hall
Next of kin has been notified.
The incident remains under investigation by Pocatello Police and Idaho State Police.
