House Speaker Paul Ryan visits Idaho to fundraise for GOP

BOISE – House Speaker Paul Ryan has made his first official visit to Idaho as sitting speaker to host a GOP joint fundraiser.

Ryan’s brief appearance in downtown Boise on Tuesday included a $10,000-per-person VIP roundtable discussion, a $5,000-per-person photo opportunity and a $2,500-per-person or $1,000-per-person luncheon. Idaho’s top Republican officials were in attendance, including Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and Idaho Republican Party Chairman Jonathan Parker.

Ryan was raising funds for his re-election campaign, Ryan’s political-action-committee Prosperity for Action and the National Republican Congressional Committee.

A handful of protesters gathered outside of the Zions Bank building before the fundraiser began, chanting “out of touch, out of office” and holding signs encouraging Republicans in Congress to protect Idahoans’ access to health care.