Peterson Hires Fulcher Aide

The lights will stay on a the Idaho Republican Party, as Chairman Barry Peterson hired Judy Gowen as executive director Thursday. Gowen, 25, was political director for Sen. Russ Fulcher’s primary challenge to GOP Gov. Butch Otter. She took the job after consulting with Fulcher, who got 44 percent of the vote to Otter’s 51 percent. Otter allies are pressing to force Peterson out as chairman, with a State Central Committee meeting set for Aug. 2. “I’m making sure the lights aren’t turned off until then so we can elect Republicans in November,” Gowen told the Statesman Thursday afternoon. “Someone needed to fill the hole”/ Dan Popkey , Idaho Statesman. More here. (Facebook photo of Judy Gowen)

Question: Doesn’t Peterson have to be chairman in order to hire an executive director?