The IDGOP Summer Meeting Starts Today– Still Waiting for Answers
Hey Party Watchers,
The Idaho GOP Summer Meeting kicks off today, and, surprise, surprise, we’re still waiting for answers from Chair Dorothy Moon. Transparency and accountability are supposedly hallmarks of the Republican Party, yet here we are, still left in the dark. Let’s be clear: we’d be asking these questions no matter who was in charge, because sunlight is the best disinfectant—even if it’s uncomfortable for some.
One hot topic this weekend is the Financial Transparency Rule proposed by Jerome County. It’s a simple concept, really: let’s make sure our County Central Committees have access to the party’s financial statements. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to know if donor funds are actually being spent on electing Republicans instead of disappearing into a mystery black hole?
Michael Colson from Bonneville County tells us:
“I have been asking the State GOP since January if they had a Financial Review Committee (FRC) in place and if so, what were the results of their review(s) as required by State Party rules. They would not answer me. State GOP Treasurer Steve Bender finally admitted to me at our Lincoln Day Dinner on May 2nd they have not had a Financial Review Committee in place for two years! They finally convened an FRC after I raised the issue. This is why this rule needs to pass.”
Let that sink in: two years without a Financial Review Committee, something the party’s own rules require. And they only got around to forming one when someone made enough noise. Truly inspiring leadership, wouldn’t you agree?
Why This Matters
It’s a Party Rule
See ARTICLE XIV: FINANCIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The Spending Is Suspect
We don’t know how the money was spent.
Not One Dime Went to Support Idaho’s Candidates in 2024
Let that sink in.
Where is the Outrage?
We have counties and districts across the state repudiating their elected officials for not following the ever-changing “Party Platform.” But holding your BFFs Dorothy Moon and friends accountable for not following the literal party rules? Nah. Let totalitarianism rule!
Everyone engaged in censuring legislators for not complying with your nuanced view of the platform should be ashamed and take a good, long look in the mirror. What are you even doing here? If you're here to ensure compliance, then where is the censure for IDGOP leadership openly breaking party rules?
It’s Pathetic
Truth be told, Dorothy, this might be your biggest letdown yet. You were too busy running your off-book, secretive “investigative” Gestapo-esque committees about Ada County and others to follow your own party's rules and run your own required Financial Review Committee. We wouldn’t expect anything less, though. No one would dare hold you accountable for anything.
Thank You, Steve Bender (x2)
We’re not sure if Mr. Bender just got caught up with the wrong crowd or if he’s just leakier than a screen door on a submarine. But coupled with his accidental email to us regarding Bryan Smith’s legal hide-and-seek, we do appreciate you throwing the executive committee and the party leadership under the bus—again.
And then there’s the matter of excessive travel, mileage reimbursements, and all those office meals. None of this is going toward electing Republicans. Instead, it seems the party’s funds are being burned on operational perks rather than supporting candidates. To put it plainly, this kind of spending does nothing to advance Republican victories—it just raises questions about priorities.
The Financial Transparency Rule is attached for your review. It’s not revolutionary, just common sense: budgets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow reports. These are basic tools of accountability that any organization worth its salt should already have in place.
So, as we head into this weekend’s meeting, let’s remember that transparency isn’t just some lofty ideal—it’s a nonnegotiable requirement for trust! And if the party can’t even follow its own rules, why should donors and voters trust them?
Let’s hold leadership accountable and make sure these questions don’t get swept under the rug. After all, if there’s nothing to hide, transparency should be easy.
Sincerely,
Party Watch
Transparency Today, Victory Tomorrow