IPT: Legislature’s Loss, UI’s Gain

The Idaho Press-Tribune has only good things to say about state Sen. Joe Stegner, R-Lewiston, who has decided to leave the Legislature to become a lobbyist for the University of Idaho. The Nampa-Caldwell paper wonders if Far Right ideology drove Stegner out: “Perhaps Sen. Stegner’s stand against the so-called “loyalty oath” supported by the right wing of the Republican Party is what led to his decision to leave the Senate. Only a few months ago he spoke out against the oath: “It seems to be directed at purifying the party. It smacks of some rather heavy-handed party membership requirements that I think in the last century have certainly been abused in any number of nations, and I don’t think that’s the direction America should be going”/ Idaho Press Tribune . More here.

Question: Are party and legislative ideologues muzzling debate by driving off members who aren’t 100 percent behind current Idaho Republican leadership?