Happy New Year!
I hope you enjoyed the Christmas season. It has been a busy time here at Idaho GOP headquarters. After a successful 2008 election, we immediately turned our focus to 2009 and preparing for the 2010 elections.
Here are some highlights:
2008 Election Recap. As a State Party, we were able to contribute over $150,000 directly to State Legislative candidates and the House and Senate caucuses. We increased our majority in the House to 52-18 and maintained our 28-7 advantage in the Senate. By any measure, this is a vast improvement over 2006 when we lost seven seats in the House to the Democrats. We raised nearly $50,000 in support of independent expenditure radio ads for our U.S. Senate and Congressional candidates, as well as tens of thousands of dollars to support our absentee and get-out-the-vote efforts. John McCain and Idaho native Sarah Palin won Idaho by a huge 26-point margin. Comparing notes with my fellow State Chairmen across the country since the election, it is apparent that Idaho Republicans continue to lead the way as the reddest of the red States.
New Executive Director. We bid farewell to our Executive Director, Sid Smith, at the end of the year as he was given the opportunity to run U.S. Senator Jim Risch's Coeur d'Alene office. After reviewing numerous resumes and receiving advice from the State Executive Committee, State Officers and other Idaho Republicans, I was pleased to offer the position to Jonathan Parker, Young Republican State Chairman and District Director for Congressman Bill Sali. He started the job on January 5 and I know that he will do a great job working with all Idaho Republicans. He can be reached at jparker@idgop.org or (208) 343-6405.
Governor's Ball and Legislative Gala. Our highlight event of the year will be held at 8:00 pm on Friday, January 30 at the Grove Hotel in Boise. This is a great way to kick-off the new year, celebrating in style with friends, fellow Republicans and our elected officials. Invitations will go out soon and the cost is $25 per person or $40 per couple. For further information, including how to get tickets for the Ball, contact State GOP headquarters at (208) 343-6405 or email info@idgop.org.
State Central Committee Meeting. The semi-annual meeting of the State Party's governing body will be held on Saturday, January 31 at the Center on the Grove convention center in Boise. Consideration of proposed resolutions, rule changes, reports from elected officials, and other party business will be conducted, along with the presentation of special awards to deserving Republicans. We will also entertain proposals and select a site for the 2010 State Convention. If you are interested in attending, please contact State Party headquarters.
Standing Committees. Working with the seven Regional Chairs, I have completed the process of appointing members to our standing committees, including chairs and vice chairs. This is the team that will help lead us at the upcoming State Central Committee meeting. If you are interested in learning who represents your area of the State, please let us know.
Lincoln Day Banquets. We will again celebrate our first Republican President at dinner banquets, luncheons and breakfasts around the State in February, March and April. The Statewide schedule is currently in the process of being finalized. Contact your County GOP organization or the State GOP office for more information.
2008 has come and gone; another successful year for Idaho Republicans. We now have a great challenge before us -- upholding our core, Republican principles while working to elect our Republican candidates in 2010. The hard work has already begun. I know we are up to the challenge and I look forward to continuing our work together in the days and months to come.
As always, I value your thoughts, ideas and questions so please don't hesitate to contact us here at Idaho GOP headquarters.
Victory 2010
Norm Semanko, Chairman
Idaho Republican Party
Monday, January 5, 2009
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