Each candidate for state party chair was given 3 minutes to speak. First up was Mike Duff, who said in the course of running for the position, “I’ve learned I was a lowlife. … It’s a wonder my own dog doesn’t bite me just out of principle.” He said, “When I see our party fail to live up to its potential, I take action. … I’m the only candidate with actual experience both defeating Democrats and uniting this party in times of difficulty.” He was cut off by convention vice-chair Melinda Smyser as his three minutes were up.

Kathy  Sims said, “I’ve learned first-hand how businesses struggle in and out of the years. … There’s nothing I like better than to hand my employees their whole paycheck. I know how business works. I also know all the government obstacles and the hurdles that businesses face every day, and that to achieve prosperity we must apply Republican values …. That was less government, and that’s also less taxes. … I remember when we were the minority. That wasn’t fun. … we grew to be the great and vibrant party we are today. Years of hard work starting where you start, at the precinct level, has carried us to many victories. But the challenge never ends… A full understanding can only come from serving and growing within our party.”

“Now the presidential primary election has tried the patience and the endurance of many of us. But never have the American people had so many choices. We can be proud of all of the 17 candidates that stepped up to serve. In contrast what did the opposition offer? A sad socialist and a real criminal.”

Steve Yates said, “Two years ago, the Idaho Republican Party took a risk on me. None of you knew who I was or where I came from. But ... you had arrived at a place where there was so much mistrust, so much dissension that business literally could not be conducted at a convention. … Since that time I’ve done everything that I could to make my service to the party not about me. Notice that there was no literature about me circulated at all for these proceedings. … I believe that we have worked together to raise the resources necessary to put on events like this.”