Dorothy Moon, who has served as chairwoman of the Idaho Republican Party since 2022, announced Monday that she is running for a third consecutive term leading the state party organization. The announcement comes roughly two weeks before the 2026 Idaho GOP State Convention, scheduled for June 18-20 in Meridian.

Four Years at the Helm

Moon, a former three-term member of the Idaho House of Representatives, has led the party through a period of significant internal restructuring. In the summer of 2022, the Idaho GOP adopted a revised party platform that leadership described as a reaffirmation of conservative principles, along with updated party rules that have since been amended multiple times.

One of the more consequential rule changes came in 2023 with the adoption of Article XX, which gives county, central, and legislative district committees the authority to censure lawmakers who are found to have strayed from the party platform. The provision has been used against at least one sitting legislator.

Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen, who fended off a primary challenge in her District 32 race, was among those censured under the rule. In 2024, the party went further, voting to withdraw official support from Mickelsen and barring her from appearing on the ballot as a Republican. Mickelsen has been critical of the direction Moon’s leadership has taken the party, saying the organization should “reflect the people instead of a faction of the party.”

Moon’s Case for Continuity

In her June 1 announcement, Moon pointed to several accomplishments she attributed to her tenure. “Together, we have worked to keep Idaho the conservative leader of the nation, defend election integrity, support our county parties and grassroots volunteers, and elect Republicans who stand firmly for the values of faith, family, freedom, and limited government,” she said.

Moon also cited stronger volunteer engagement, improved coordination among county parties, and the successful effort to defeat a ranked-choice voting ballot initiative in 2024 as evidence of the party’s momentum under her leadership. She said maintaining party cohesion will be a priority as the 2026 election cycle advances.

Convention and What Comes Next

The question of whether Moon will face a challenger for the chairmanship remains open. No opposition has been publicly announced as of her filing.

Republican delegates gathering at the Meridian convention later this month will have the opportunity to weigh in on the party’s direction. Convention rules allow delegates to submit up to two proposals for changes to party rules, regulations, and the platform — a process that has historically generated debate under Moon’s tenure.

The convention takes place against a busy Idaho political backdrop. Voters have already seen competitive primary races up and down the ballot this cycle, including contested county-level races in Bingham County, and the outcome of the chairmanship election will signal whether the party’s current ideological direction retains broad delegate support heading into the general election season.