The program tonight at the Idaho GOP’s election-night gathering started with a prayer offered by Lt. Gov. Brad Little, who said in part, “Please ask those that are here that are victors to be gracious in victory and ask those that are not victors to also be gracious. … We ask for your blessing as we go forward to do your work.”

After the pledge of allegiance, veterans were honored, Idaho Young Republicans Chair Tyler Hurst gave a fire-and-brimstone talk about how Republicans are right and Democrats are wrong, and then party Chairman Steve Yates took over.

“Our values are better than their values,” Yates said. “We will win.” He offered “a sense of what some of the stakes are tonight: We have 36 contested races in the Legislature, in the Republican primary tonight.” At that point, the low buzz in the room dropped to silence. “Just by comparison, Democrats have four contested races,” Yates continued. “You know, there’s a lot of talk in our state about divisions in parties, where the tide is going. Republicans are strong, Republicans are competitive, Republicans are contending for meaningful offices.”

Yates called for opposition to Hillary Clinton, saying if she becomes president, “I would say even in Idaho, life as we know it will be fundamentally different.” He made no mention of presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump. Yates also touted the upcoming state GOP convention, saying, “We’re going to celebrate faith, family, freedom and firearms, because for us, that’s always the four F’s.”