KTRV Fox 12 Issue-Driven Battle Over Idaho Republican Chairman
Member Center:
Boise, Idaho -- Even though the primary election is finished in Idaho, there is still one major position up for grabs.
The chairman of the Republican Party is the person responsible for running the day to day operations, and that office is up for re-election during the upcoming GOP convention in Sand Point.
Whoever ends up in that position will likely do so based on one issue -- whether or not primary elections should be closed.
"That is an important issue because it has divided the lines pretty evenly -- those for an those against," said Kirk Sullivan, current Idaho Republican Party chairman.
Sullivan does not want closed primary elections, although he does understand why some in his party want it that way.
"The one thing I do agree with is Republicans should decide who their candidates will be, there's no doubt about that," said Sullivan.
But he says there's no proof that Democrats have meddled in GOP business to the point of affecting an outcome of any election. Rod beck disagrees and wants primary elections closed.
"Because I am tired of Democrats being able to participate in the selection of Republican candidates," said Beck.
He's already sued over this issue and lost, and so now he's attempting to change the system by running for Sullivan's position.
Beck also wants a number of other key leadership roles replaced, saying these people have lost touch.
According to him, Republican constituents in Idaho have voted several times in favor of closed primaries and still nothing happens.
"And still we have a governor who opposes it, we have a lieutenant governor who opposes it, we have most of the legislature who opposes it -- they ignore what the party says," said Beck.
He says the issue is also taking it's toll on the party's pocketbook.
"Grassroots contributions, people giving $5, people giving $50, people giving $100, they're way, way down. And that's part of the reason, because our leadership ignores the grass roots of the party," said Beck.
But no matter where the donations are coming, Sullivan believes the Republican Party is in fine shape, and to prove it, Idaho remains one of the reddest states in the nation.
And in terms of money, Sullivan says things couldn't be better.
"The party is in the best shape financially that it's ever been in. We have no bills and a few bucks in the bank," he said.
The delegates who will eventually choose the next chairman haven't even been chosen yet. This issue will likely get more heated has the June 14 convention gets closer.
