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Idaho Republican State Convention kicks off Thursday in Coeur d’Alene • Idaho Capital Sun

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Idaho Republican State Convention kicks off Thursday in Coeur d’Alene • Idaho Capital Sun


Hundreds of Republican delegates from across the state will gather in Coeur d’Alene beginning Thursday to elect a party chairperson and vote on the Idaho Republican Party’s platform, rules and resolutions.

The Idaho Republican State Convention is scheduled to run Thursday through Sunday at the Coeur d’Alene Resort and North Idaho College.

The state convention is held every two years and is where delegates elected by Republican county central committees gather to elect the party’s leadership and approve rules, resolutions and a party platform that will guide the party moving forward. 

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“Our biennial convention will be where we do the work of the party and celebrate our conservative values with fellow Republicans from all across the Great State of Idaho,” Idaho Republican Party Chairwoman Dorothy Moon wrote in a letter to Idaho Republicans that is included in the convention program.

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While delegates have the power to approve party rules and resolutions, they do not have the power to pass laws. Only the Idaho Legislature and citizens, using the ballot initiative process, can pass laws. 

The state convention also serves as a major fundraiser for the Idaho Republican Party. In addition to delegates, alternates and guests selected by the county central committees will also attend. 

On Friday night Kari Lake, a former television news anchor who is running for the United States Senate in Arizona, will speak during the Idaho Republican Party’s convention gallery.  

At the Idaho GOP convention, news reporters will not be allowed inside business meetings during the convention and will be restricted to a designated area outside of meeting rooms, according to an email Idaho Republican Party officials sent the Idaho Capital Sun on June 7. 

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Idaho GOP chair candidates Moon and Souza have run against each other before

One of the closely watched agenda items this week will be the election of the Idaho Republican Party’s chair.

Last week, former state Sen. Mary Souza, R-Coeur d’Alene, announced that she is challenging Moon in the race for Idaho Republican Party chair. 

Moon is also a former Idaho legislator from Stanley. Moon and Souza  ran unsuccessfully in the 2022 Republican primary election for secretary of state, which got heated at times – including during the 2022 Idaho Debates.

In her announcement last week, Souza said she is running to unify the party under a conservative umbrella.

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“I am running to restore unity within our party and to reaffirm our dedication to the conservative values that have long defined the Republican spirit,” Souza wrote June 6 in a written statement. “Our party stands at a crossroads, and it is essential that we come together to support the robust agenda set forth by President Donald Trump, to secure our southern border and to protect Idaho from the scourge of drugs like marijuana and fentanyl. The future of our state and our nation depends on our ability to stand united against the threats that challenge our way of life,” Souza continued. “Together, we can achieve great things for Idaho. It’s time to come together, as one unified Republican Party, and secure a brighter future for our state.”

Souza is a former critical care registered nurse who served four terms in the Idaho Senate. Souza finished third in the 2022 Republican primary election for secretary of state, which current Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane won. 

Moon is a former public school special education director and gold miner who served three terms in the Idaho House of Representatives. Moon was elected chairwoman of the Idaho Republican Party during the 2022 Republican State Convention in Twin Falls, wresting control of the party away from former chairman and ex public schools chief Tom Luna. 

Efforts to reach Moon on Monday were unsuccessful. 

This biennial event unites representatives of the Republican grassroots to conduct party business and celebrate the values that bind us together. In a June 6 column Moon also wrote about the importance of unifying the party, writing that the convention itself offers Republicans across the state to unite heading into the Nov. 5 general election. 

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“Delegates and guests will have the chance to meet like-minded individuals from every corner of our great state and equip themselves with tools to become better voters, activists, and candidates,” Moon wrote. “Attendees will return home energized and ready to fight for faith, family and freedom in their communities.”

Idaho GOP to also vote on ranked choice voting, party affiliation

On top of the party leadership elections, Republican delegates will also vote on a proposed party platform and  rules resolutions. 

The party platform is a document that reflects the values and beliefs of the Idaho Republican Party.Proposed rules, resolutions and platform planks up for consideration during this week’s convention address an array of topics.

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Some of the proposed rules, resolutions and platforms deal with:

  • Adding a plank to the party platform expressing formal opposition to ranked to choice voting, a component of the open primary ballot initiative that supporters hope to qualify for the Nov. 5 general election
  • Various platform planks and resolutions addressing undocumented immigration and calling on the government to “secure” the U.S. southern border with Mexico.
  • A platform plank calling on support for Israel.
  • A platform plank calling on the state to abolish the income tax.
  • A resolution calling for the Idaho Republican Party to encourage the Idaho Legislature to make and pass bills that ban any vote by mail elections and voting center style polling places and reduce absentee voting. 
  • A proposed resolution calling for the chair of the Idaho Republican Party to file a lawsuit against the state in response to the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office not enforcing party affiliation deadlines that were not part of Idaho law, which the Sun has previously reported on
  • A proposed resolution establishing a committee to consider alternatives to primary elections.
  • A resolution directing the chairperson of the Idaho Republican Party to send copies of the updated party platform to Republican candidates for office and have them indicate whether they support the platform, or identify any areas where they disagree.
  • A resolution calling for the Idaho Republican Party to encourage the Idaho Legislature to make and pass bills that ban any vote by mail elections and voting center style polling places and reduce absentee voting. 

The proposed resolutions, rules and platform changes will first be considered during committee meetings on Thursday that will not be open to new reporters. 

The Idaho Democratic Party State Convention runs June 22 and June 23 at the University of Idaho in Moscow.

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Fans celebrate potatoes and football at the Idaho Potato Bowl

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Fans celebrate potatoes and football at the Idaho Potato Bowl


BOISE, Idaho — I’m your Boise State neighborhood reporter Jessica Davis at Albertsons Stadium at the Idaho Potato Bowl. People are here for the game, but a lot of people are also here for the potatoes — fans can take pictures with the world-famous potato and play potato games.

  • The Idaho Potato Bowl is a staple event in Boise, featuring post-season college football.
  • Simplot provided about 1,800 servings of tater tots, cooked on-site for the fans.
  • Despite the rainy weather, attendees enjoyed spending time with family ahead of the holidays.

(The following is a transcription of the full broadcast story.)

We spoke with fans about their favorite potatoes, and how they like popular veggies cooked — so, of course, we asked fans what brought them to the bowl game.

“The Potato Bowl, as well as some French fries, we came out here to have some food, but of course, the game also and to celebrate,” says Fanny Reyes, a Boise fan supporting the Potato Bowl.

A bowl game dedicated to the starchy vegetable — the Potato Bowl is a Boise staple for post-season college football.

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Joey Mellow, says he came to support his family members who work at BSU we asked him if he came for the game or potatoes he says “Both!”

Before I arrived I expected a variety of potatoes, but the only delicious potato-themed snack was tater tots provided by Simplot.

Eric Simplot, is a Regional Raw Manager at Simplot, he says “we bring out mobile fryer out today we’re doing some tater gyms, tater tots for some fans to warm up this morning and show off what we do and what we’re proud of here in Idaho potatoes and the products that we make with them.”

Simplot cooked up and served about 1,800 servings of tater tots heating them up with 360-degree oil.

And in about two minutes, you get crispy yet fluffy tater tots.

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Fanny Reyes describes the tots, she says “They’re good, nice, and warm keeping us warm on this nice chilly day.”

With a rainy start, many fans are just glad to be spending the day with family ahead of the holidays.

James Ossman says, “I’m just happy to spend the day with my kids watching football and eating some fresh tater tots.”

Fanny Reyes adds, “Spending some time with family right before Christmas so you know I had to be out here celebrating Fresno State and northern Illinois so we’ll see may the best team win I guess.”

Coming up on New Years Eve, Idaho News 6 will bring you team coverage of the Fiesta Bowl from Phoenix.

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Idaho Potato Bowl honors Nampa's K9 Riddick who died in a police pursuit in September

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Idaho Potato Bowl honors Nampa's K9 Riddick who died in a police pursuit in September


BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Potato Bowl, which was held at Albertsons Stadium on Monday, took a moment to celebrate two local heroes — Nampa Officer Cody Huss and his K9 Riddick. They were both honored with the SERVPRO First Responder Award.

Officer Huss was presented the award in honor of his and his late dog’s work for the community — Huss’ dog K9 Riddick died in a police pursuit in Septmeber.

Nampa Police K-9 ‘Riddick’ killed in rollover crash, two suspects in custody.

Nampa Police Department

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Nampa Police K-9 Riddick. Photo: Nampa Police Department

“Officer Cody Huss and his K-9 partner, Riddick, demonstrated extraordinary dedication to their community, working tirelessly to ensure safety and security,” the announcer said at the Idaho Potato Bowl. “K-9 Riddick, a steadfast and loyal partner, made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty…”





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Idaho's top Democrat shares wishlist for new DNC chair

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Idaho's top Democrat shares wishlist for new DNC chair


After substantial losses in the 2024 election, Democrats are searching for new leadership across the country.

Republicans took back the White House and Senate, along with retaining control of the House.

Party officials, including Idaho’s state Democratic Party Chair, Lauren Necochea, will vote for the new head of the Democratic National Committee early next year.

The race has several candidates across the political spectrum, including former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Ken Martin, who heads Minnesota’s version of the Democratic Party and Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ken Wikler.

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Where the next chairperson lands ideologically, Necochea said, isn’t as important as being able to unify the different coalitions making up the party.

“To come together across our minor policy disagreements we might hold to advance the agenda of electing more Democrats so that we can implement more of these policies that lift up working families,” she said.

Progressive members of the party have long criticized moderates for compromising their liberal values on issues like healthcare and support for large corporations.

Necochea said she’s not hearing a steady drumbeat of party officials trying to upend the status quo.

“[Republicans are] coming after Social Security. They’re coming after Medicare. They’re coming after our health care,” she said.

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“So I just hear from my colleagues across the nation that we want to get back to work and roll up our sleeves and be ready to make a big comeback in the midterms.”

Experience managing large and complex organizations is a must. But another important necessity is having a communication plan to reach voters who actively tune out news and vote Republican, even if liberal policies would benefit them more.

“It’s both a challenge to deliver education and information to people who are kind of trying to avoid it, but it’s also an opportunity because it means that a lot of people who came out and voted for Republicans didn’t know what they were voting for,” Necochea said.

Increasing face-to-face communication is vital and something she said Idaho Democrats have already been doing, though the party lost three legislative seats this year.

“If you only try a door a few times during an election cycle and you don’t catch them when they’re home, then you never get to have that conversation,” she said.

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Another item on her wishlist is for the next DNC chair to continue supporting a 50-state strategy – meaning the national party invests in local candidates across the country to help break up GOP supermajorities.

All major offices in Idaho are held by Republicans and the GOP holds 86% of all legislative seats here.

Necochea will join other party officials at the DNC’s winter meeting on Feb. 1 outside of Washington, D.C.

Copyright 2024 Boise State Public Radio

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