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
Friday, November 21, 2008
For "young" folks in Boise...
...I'll be at the Boise Young Professionals Happy Hour today at Chandler's Steakhouse downtown - it's part of Hotel 43. Runs from 5-7 pm. Swing by and say hello.
Sid Smith
Executive Director
Sid Smith
Executive Director
Obama Transition Team's Puzzling Gun Question
President-elect Obama's transition team is asking potential cabinet members about their gun ownership. Considering Obama's troubling views on Second Amendment rights, one has to wonder what the purpose of the question is...
Sid Smith
Executive Director
Sid Smith
Executive Director
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Don't Call It a Comeback
After several newspaper reports about his death had been published, Mark Twain famously said “Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.” Remember what the media said about the Idaho Republican Party this past summer? They said we were in “disarray” and hopelessly divided. They labeled us as out of touch. And they tried to overwhelm us with negative press coverage. Above all, they said Idaho Republicans had lost their edge and couldn't win. Funny thing is they forgot to check-in with the voters.
All the while, Idaho Republicans stuck to their traditional values: limited government, less spending, lower taxes and a basic respect for private property, personal liberty and the sanctity of life -- as well as a strong commitment to national security and our troops.
Nothing fancy. Nothing difficult to understand. Just time-honored, Constitutional principles that have kept our nation strong – and a lot of hard work out on the campaign trail. We believed in Idaho voters, instead of browbeating them or suggesting they were backward or behind the times, as some liberals did.
After a long, difficult campaign season, the win-loss record is certainly gratifying, especially given the media's gloom-and-doom predictions following the GOP State Convention in June. Turns out that competition is good. It actually strengthened our party. Rather than resting on our laurels, Idaho Republicans dared to be better. And it paid off this fall.
Bucking the national swoon over Barack Obama, Idahoans gave John McCain and Idaho native Sarah Palin a huge 26-point margin of victory in Idaho. Also, the Idaho GOP actually gained a state legislative seat this year – a vast improvement over the seven legislative seats lost to Democrats just two years ago.
The House totals are now 52 Republicans and 18 Democrats. In the Senate, the margin remains 28-7 in favor of Republicans. While we were unable to maintain an all-GOP Congressional delegation – the direct result of Congressman Bill Sali being heavily outspent by national Democrats and their liberal out-of-state allies – Jim Risch ran a nearly flawless campaign to become our next U.S. Senator and join Senator Mike Crapo in representing Idaho.
And don't forget the overwhelming re-election of Mike Simpson to Congress.
Aside from losing more ground in the State Legislature, Idaho Democrats also lost out in the courthouses. Most notably, the Democrats' much-trumpeted plan to take over the Ada County Courthouse was thwarted. Republican Sharon Ullman defeated incumbent Paul Woods, while incumbent Republican Rick Yzagguire easily fended off a challenge from David Langhorst, giving Ada County an all-Republican Commission.
Ada County voters knew where to go to keep their property taxes down, and traditional stronghold counties like Canyon, Kootenai and Bonneville all stayed in the hands of Republicans. Even more important than wins and losses, however, the Idaho Republican Party increased its strength and vitality, adapting to the needs and demands of the future. Change was the clarion call of this year's elections. Leading the way, Idaho's GOP was up to the challenge and all of Idaho will be the better for it.
Norm Semanko, Chairman
All the while, Idaho Republicans stuck to their traditional values: limited government, less spending, lower taxes and a basic respect for private property, personal liberty and the sanctity of life -- as well as a strong commitment to national security and our troops.
Nothing fancy. Nothing difficult to understand. Just time-honored, Constitutional principles that have kept our nation strong – and a lot of hard work out on the campaign trail. We believed in Idaho voters, instead of browbeating them or suggesting they were backward or behind the times, as some liberals did.
After a long, difficult campaign season, the win-loss record is certainly gratifying, especially given the media's gloom-and-doom predictions following the GOP State Convention in June. Turns out that competition is good. It actually strengthened our party. Rather than resting on our laurels, Idaho Republicans dared to be better. And it paid off this fall.
Bucking the national swoon over Barack Obama, Idahoans gave John McCain and Idaho native Sarah Palin a huge 26-point margin of victory in Idaho. Also, the Idaho GOP actually gained a state legislative seat this year – a vast improvement over the seven legislative seats lost to Democrats just two years ago.
The House totals are now 52 Republicans and 18 Democrats. In the Senate, the margin remains 28-7 in favor of Republicans. While we were unable to maintain an all-GOP Congressional delegation – the direct result of Congressman Bill Sali being heavily outspent by national Democrats and their liberal out-of-state allies – Jim Risch ran a nearly flawless campaign to become our next U.S. Senator and join Senator Mike Crapo in representing Idaho.
And don't forget the overwhelming re-election of Mike Simpson to Congress.
Aside from losing more ground in the State Legislature, Idaho Democrats also lost out in the courthouses. Most notably, the Democrats' much-trumpeted plan to take over the Ada County Courthouse was thwarted. Republican Sharon Ullman defeated incumbent Paul Woods, while incumbent Republican Rick Yzagguire easily fended off a challenge from David Langhorst, giving Ada County an all-Republican Commission.
Ada County voters knew where to go to keep their property taxes down, and traditional stronghold counties like Canyon, Kootenai and Bonneville all stayed in the hands of Republicans. Even more important than wins and losses, however, the Idaho Republican Party increased its strength and vitality, adapting to the needs and demands of the future. Change was the clarion call of this year's elections. Leading the way, Idaho's GOP was up to the challenge and all of Idaho will be the better for it.
Norm Semanko, Chairman
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Idaho Republican Party Independent Expenditure
Check out our new radio ad!
http://www.idgop.org/Player.aspx?guid=5e4d47b2-2276-4648-9759-13833eece995
*This ad was paid for by the Idaho Republican Party and is not authorized by any candidate or committee.
http://www.idgop.org/Player.aspx?guid=5e4d47b2-2276-4648-9759-13833eece995
*This ad was paid for by the Idaho Republican Party and is not authorized by any candidate or committee.
Monday, October 27, 2008
In Case You Missed It- Statesman calls Idaho Republicans "Old and Lazy"
Dear Idaho Republicans,
In case you missed it, the Idaho Statesman reported today that Idaho Republicans are getting "old" and "lazy".
It is time to show them once again what Idaho Republicans can do.
After discussing Republican efforts in Canyon County and elsewhere in Idaho, the article quotes College of Idaho professor Jasper LiCalzi as saying: "They get lazy and they get old. . .This will be a real test of the Republican organization."
The Democrats' old reliable friend, the Idaho Statesman, is trying desperately to help carry them across the finish line. But these attempts to discourage Idaho Republicans will fail -- just as they always do.
The Idaho Republican Team is organized, energized and ready for victory on November 4.
What the Idaho Statesman and other liberal media outlets don't understand is that the Idaho Republican Party is not about one person; and we are definitely not a top-down organization. Our strength has always come from the grassroots -- rank-and-file Republicans. From the precinct and county level up; that is where our strength lies; garnering one vote at a time.
As Republicans, our drive and determination comes from within. Our belief is in a calling greater than ourselves.
Our motivation stems from a deep concern and conviction about the future of our great nation. That is why we win; because we have no choice but to fight for our children and our grandchildren; to protect what generations before us have fought and died for. That is what drives us as Republicans.
Democrats continue to field candidates that believe the answer is more government, more taxes and more spending.
They say they support the 2nd Amendment, but they support gun control measures. They say they are for balance on natural resource issues, but they support radical, out-of-state environmental groups. They say they are concerned about the economy, but they want to take more money out of our pockets.
The choice for Idahoans in this election is stark: GOP candidates that support core, conservative Republican principlies against the Democrat Party of Barack Obama and his plan to redistribute wealth and grow government; the Republican Party of bold ideas and innovative solutions vs.
the Democrat party with the same old, tired plans to tax and
spend.
It is no mistake that Walt Minnick has publicly support Barack Obama since January; they believe in the same things, and they will both do all they can to help further the liberal agenda of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. While Walt Minnick may be ashamed to admit that he is a Democrat -- or find it politically expedient to pretend to be something else -- he is definitely not a Republican. Let's make sure we get the vote out for Republicans!
The challenge has been issued. They say that we are "old"
and "lazy"; that we are doomed to failure as the coming tide of Barrack Obama and his liberal, "spread the wealth"
Democrats descends upon Idaho. As the reddest-of-the-red states, it is time to once again show that we are up to the test.
I know that each and everyone of us is up to the challenge.
Let us now re-double our efforts and make sure that every Idahoan gets out to vote -- and vote Republican -- on November 4.
Thank you.
Victory 2008
Norm Semanko, Chairman
Idaho Republican Party
In case you missed it, the Idaho Statesman reported today that Idaho Republicans are getting "old" and "lazy".
It is time to show them once again what Idaho Republicans can do.
After discussing Republican efforts in Canyon County and elsewhere in Idaho, the article quotes College of Idaho professor Jasper LiCalzi as saying: "They get lazy and they get old. . .This will be a real test of the Republican organization."
The Democrats' old reliable friend, the Idaho Statesman, is trying desperately to help carry them across the finish line. But these attempts to discourage Idaho Republicans will fail -- just as they always do.
The Idaho Republican Team is organized, energized and ready for victory on November 4.
What the Idaho Statesman and other liberal media outlets don't understand is that the Idaho Republican Party is not about one person; and we are definitely not a top-down organization. Our strength has always come from the grassroots -- rank-and-file Republicans. From the precinct and county level up; that is where our strength lies; garnering one vote at a time.
As Republicans, our drive and determination comes from within. Our belief is in a calling greater than ourselves.
Our motivation stems from a deep concern and conviction about the future of our great nation. That is why we win; because we have no choice but to fight for our children and our grandchildren; to protect what generations before us have fought and died for. That is what drives us as Republicans.
Democrats continue to field candidates that believe the answer is more government, more taxes and more spending.
They say they support the 2nd Amendment, but they support gun control measures. They say they are for balance on natural resource issues, but they support radical, out-of-state environmental groups. They say they are concerned about the economy, but they want to take more money out of our pockets.
The choice for Idahoans in this election is stark: GOP candidates that support core, conservative Republican principlies against the Democrat Party of Barack Obama and his plan to redistribute wealth and grow government; the Republican Party of bold ideas and innovative solutions vs.
the Democrat party with the same old, tired plans to tax and
spend.
It is no mistake that Walt Minnick has publicly support Barack Obama since January; they believe in the same things, and they will both do all they can to help further the liberal agenda of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. While Walt Minnick may be ashamed to admit that he is a Democrat -- or find it politically expedient to pretend to be something else -- he is definitely not a Republican. Let's make sure we get the vote out for Republicans!
The challenge has been issued. They say that we are "old"
and "lazy"; that we are doomed to failure as the coming tide of Barrack Obama and his liberal, "spread the wealth"
Democrats descends upon Idaho. As the reddest-of-the-red states, it is time to once again show that we are up to the test.
I know that each and everyone of us is up to the challenge.
Let us now re-double our efforts and make sure that every Idahoan gets out to vote -- and vote Republican -- on November 4.
Thank you.
Victory 2008
Norm Semanko, Chairman
Idaho Republican Party
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