Leadership elections kick off; Yates called ‘the peacemaker’

As leadership elections begin at this afternoon’s session of the Idaho GOP state convention, Doug Pickett, Cassia County GOP chairman, has nominated Steve Yates to continue as state party chairman. “Steve Yates has proven by his own actions, voluntarily and involuntarily, that he is not beholden to any faction or elected official,” Pickett said. “He has done exactly as he promised when he ran first for this position: To work to unify the entire Republican body. To those who are looking for a chairman who will make up for their own perceived inability to persuade the body, who seek advantage by strategy, legal maneuvering or tactical ploy, I will remind you that we are a party of principles, not personalities.”

Seconding the nomination, Danielle Ahrens, legislative District 1 party chair, said, “A conservative in action is what a chairman should be. They should empower fellow Republicans from the grassroots up. … He is what a chairman needs to be, a conservative in action.” Dennis Mansfield, also seconding the nomination, lauded Yates for “bringing people together in the way that our state needs.”

Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, said, “I’m here in supporting Steve because I remember Moscow, I remember the fiasco that had gone on up there. … A lot of people say we didn’t accomplish anything, but I think we did. I think we accomplished the fact that we are here today working together. … Remember, blessed is the peacemaker.”