10 Days, 10 Questions —
Answers Needed Before the Summer Meeting
Dear Idaho GOP,
With the Summer Meeting just 10 days away, we figured now would be the perfect time to ask some very pointed questions about the state of our party’s leadership and finances. After all, many of you are probably wondering the same things we are but haven’t had the chance (or the nerve) to ask. So, consider this email your voice. We’re just saying what a lot of you are probably already thinking.
From questionable reimbursements to luxury travel expenses, secretive decision-making, and a fundraising record that makes the Democrats look like financial geniuses, there’s a lot here that doesn’t exactly scream “fiscal responsibility” or “party-building.” If we’re going to call ourselves the party of accountability and transparency, it’s time we start acting like it.
1. Why did Dorothy Moon request $19,481.26 in mileage reimbursements when party rules don’t allow it?
Background: According to ARTICLE XIX of the Idaho GOP bylaws, travel expenses are not listed as allowable operating costs. Yet, Dorothy Moon claimed over $143,000 in travel-related expenses. Is this responsible use of donor money, or just a donor-funded road trip?
2. Will you release mileage logs to justify the $19,481.26 reimbursement claim?
In 2024, Idaho Republican Party Chair Dorothy Moon was reimbursed $19,481.26 for mileage expenses. At the IRS’s 2024 standard business mileage rate of $0.655 to $0.67 per mile, that equates to more than 28,000 miles — or roughly the distance from Boise to Miami, Florida and back five times.
While political parties are allowed to reimburse mileage at the standard business rate under IRS rules, doing so requires strict adherence to the IRS’s accountable plan guidelines (Treas. Reg. § 1.62-2, IRS Publication 463). This includes maintaining detailed mileage logs documenting:Date of travel, Number of miles, Business purpose, Destination
When nearly $20,000 is spent on mileage reimbursements from donor dollars, documentation and transparency aren’t optional — they’re essential.
3. What’s on the Bank of Idaho Visa Card, and can we get a detailed breakdown of expenses?
Background: From 2023 to 2025, there were more than 185 credit card payments reported as paid to “Bank of Idaho Visa.” The total for these charges would blow your mind. Idaho law requires detailed reporting of payee names, amounts, and purposes. FEC rules (11 CFR § 104.3) require committees that pay credit cards to report the final vendor — not just the card issuer or staffer being reimbursed.
Why are these expenses being hidden behind vague descriptions?
4. How much of the party’s money actually went to elect Republicans in 2024?
Background: The Idaho GOP’s core mission is to help elect Republicans, yet there’s little evidence that any funds went to direct candidate support or independent expenditures. If donors’ money isn’t being used to win elections, what exactly is it being spent on?
The most ironic part about this is Dorothy Moon's criticism of former RSC chairman Ronna McDaniel in February 8, 2024 statement she said
“We learned this week that Ronna McDaniel, in her fourth term as chairwoman of the RNC, is rumored to soon be stepping down. Hopefully, the next leader of the national Republican party can restore confidence that the RNC will spend donor money wisely in pursuit of political victories rather than lavish indulgence.”
5. How many nights did Dorothy Moon spend at the new “office” location, and why wasn’t it disclosed that she would be living there?
Background: The IDGOP’s previous office space in the U.S. Bank building was a negotiated, professional lease that provided access to conference rooms and a solid downtown location. It cost $1,550/month—a reasonable expense for a party office.
Under Chairwoman Dorothy Moon, the party moved to a new location charging more than double the rent ($3,600/month) with an upstairs apartment advertised for legislators’ occasional use. However, it appears Dorothy Moon may have been living there, effectively turning the office into her personal residence.
This raises serious concerns about fiscal responsibility, especially since the party promotes financial prudence. Dorothy Moon accepted the role knowing its responsibilities—so why is party money covering what looks like her housing? If the apartment is genuinely for legislators, where is the documentation of payments? And did this arrangement include her husband and dog, Winston?
Or was this just a convenient cover story?
6. Why did the party spend what looks to be nearly $40,000 on RNC National Convention expenses, and how were delegates chosen?
Background: The 2024 RNC National Convention was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, necessitating long-distance travel for Idaho delegates. Historically, this has been a cost that delegates have had to bear on themselves.
Delegate selection rules were quietly changed after January 2024, resulting in questionable picks like non-party officials being sent while certain counties were completely excluded. Add to that $7,359.67 explicitly marked as “RNC Expenses” a $582 Uber ride for Steve Linden and more than $30,000 in “Bank Of Idaho” visa charges labeled “travel” in the time surrounding the RNC.
This is starting to look less like party-building and more like a luxury vacation fund.
7. Why is the party issuing official statements without votes from the Central or Executive Committees?
Background:Time and again, the party has released statements that imply broad agreement among Republicans — despite there being no platform plank, no recorded vote or official process involving the Central Committee or even the Executive Committee.
Examples include:
A statement endorsing Rick Scott For US Senate Majority Leader
A press release criticizing Congressman Mike Simpson for not voting for Jim Jordan for Speaker
These statements have been posted publicly — on the party’s own blog — and framed as the official voice of the IDGOP. But were they ever debated? Voted on? Approved?
Political opinion and philosophy aside, Dorothy Moon is entitled to her own political opinions. But when she speaks as Chair, on official party platforms, she shouldn’t speak for all of us unless we’ve had a say.
Is this the Idaho GOP, or just Dorothy Moon’s personal PR channel?
8. Will the Idaho GOP cover Bryan Smith’s $82,000+ legal fees, and why was Dorothy Moon acting as his private client?
Background: Following a lengthy lawsuit between the Idaho GOP and the Bingham County Republican Central Committee (BCRCC), The BCRCC will not have to pay attorney fees to the state GOP.
Here’s a breakdown of the situation:
Background: The lawsuit originated from a contested election in June 2023, where the Idaho GOP alleged that the Bingham County Republicans did not adhere to party regulations.
Attorney Fees Request: The Idaho GOP’s attorney, Bryan Smith, submitted a memorandum requesting that the BCRCC cover his attorney fees, which were estimated to be approximately $82,000.
BCRCC’s Stance: The BCRCC stated they were surprised by the request for attorney fees, indicating they had been informed Smith was representing the party without charge.
Court Ruling: In an order issued on April 23, 2025, District Judge Darren Simpson ruled that each party would be responsible for their own attorney fees and costs. The BCRCC’s motion to disallow the fee request was granted.
Smith was overheard claiming he has a private agreement with Dorothy Moon regarding these fees. Why is the party on the hook for this, and how is Moon allowed to operate independently from the Central Committee?
9.Has the Financial Review Committee been formed, and will you commit to transparency going forward?
Background: ARTICLE XIV of the Idaho GOP bylaws requires the formation of a Financial Review Committee to ensure accountability. The formation of this committee has not been confirmed, despite repeated requests.
Furthermore, there is a proposed rule passed by multiple county central committees. It emphasizes increased transparency by mandating the Treasurer provide detailed financial reports to County Central Committees.
Will you explicitly commit to implementing the proposed rule to establish good-faith transparency measures and provide the financial disclosures that donors and party members rightfully expect? If not, what are you trying to hide from the party and its supporters?
10. Why has the Idaho Democrat Party out-fundraised the Idaho GOP by a 3-to-1 margin since Dorothy Moon took office?
Background: In her 2022 acceptance speech, Dorothy Moon promised to be the best fundraiser the party had ever seen.The Idaho GOP makes up more than 45% (approx 509,472) of the 1.125 million voters in the state. The Idaho Democrats registered voters are a mere 12% (approx 137,639). *as of October 2024.
Yet, Democrats—despite having less than a third of the registered voters—have out-fundraised the Idaho GOP significantly. What happened to Moon’s fundraising “magic wand”?
BONUS QUESTION: Dorothy, now that President Trump has endorsed Brad Little for Governor in 2026, will you also be endorsing Brad Little personally? Will you publicly support and push for a party endorsement of the Governor?
Or is this one of those times that you can unilaterally say the party also endorses Governor Little because you deemed it so?
If these questions seem harsh, it’s because the situation demands it. The Idaho Republican Party is supposed to be leading the charge to elect conservatives and uphold Republican principles—not burning donor dollars on road trips, personal crash pads, and Uber rides. Let’s be real: if these issues were happening under Democratic leadership, we’d be shouting about them from the rooftops. So why aren’t we holding ourselves to the same standard?
We’re sure Dorothy Moon and her team will have all kinds of explanations, but let’s put it this way: we’re not looking for excuses or spin. We want answers. And if you’ve been wondering about these same issues, maybe it’s time to speak up at the Summer Meeting. After all, it’s your party too.
Sincerely,
Party Watch
ps. We took a look at the late filed May 2025 IDGOP Sunshine report. As we suspected, Dorothy did not raise one dollar, there were only three “donations” to the party for the month of May. All three were from central committees.
Dorothy, why don’t people want to donate to you?