Convention Delivers Broad Policy Agenda

Idaho Republican Party delegates approved 18 resolutions at the party’s recent convention, covering topics ranging from property taxes and election integrity to nuclear energy and marijuana policy. The resolutions emerged from committee review and floor debate, representing the party’s formal position-taking process that occurs every two years at the convention level — separate from the State Central Committee’s semi-annual resolution cycle.

The convention, which also re-elected Dorothy Moon as party chair and seated an all-female executive committee, produced a wide-ranging slate of policy priorities that delegates expect to influence future legislative and electoral activity in Idaho.

Israel Resolution Fails After Committee Passage

The convention’s most notable setback for resolution supporters came when delegates voted down Resolution 2026-11, a measure expressing support for Israel and President Trump’s Middle East policy — despite the resolution having already cleared committee review.

Sen. Brian Lenney moved to strike the resolution from consideration, describing it as “globalist foreign policy w/a conservative paint job.” The floor vote sided with Lenney’s position, marking a rare instance of the full delegate body overturning a committee recommendation.

Two additional resolutions — both calling for caucus-based systems to select precinct committeemen and general election nominees — also failed to win approval from the full convention.

Election Integrity and Government Accountability

Several resolutions targeted the mechanics of Idaho elections and government transparency. Resolution 2026-01, presented by Nampa council member Sebastian Griffin, calls for partisan municipal elections. Resolution 2026-02, brought by Matthew Jensen, condemns the practice of legislative committee chairs blocking bills from receiving hearings — a tension that has surfaced repeatedly in recent Idaho legislative sessions.

Resolution 2026-05, carried by Sen. Tammy Nichols, urges Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require photo identification for federal elections. Nichols indicated she plans to keep pressing for congressional action on the measure.

Resolution 2026-16 targets a different election concern: it calls for restrictions preventing the secretary of state and county clerks from endorsing candidates — a measure submitted by Brent Regan and presented by Jeff Populous on the convention floor.

Resolution 2026-17, from Vince Rhundaug, would restrict elective office eligibility for individuals with certain criminal convictions, while Resolution 2026-15 would require voter approval before any government property valued above $500,000 could be conveyed to another entity. That last measure, presented by Glen Rimbey, appeared to respond directly to the transfer of the Ford Idaho Center to the College of Western Idaho.

Property Taxes, Nuclear Energy, and Social Policy

Property tax relief remained a prominent theme. Resolution 2026-20, from Pete Moyer, calls for an increase in the homeowner’s exemption and was amended on the floor to demand the eventual elimination of property taxes altogether — echoing a position that gained traction at the convention’s broader platform discussions. Moyer also brought Resolution 2026-21, which would require a two-thirds supermajority — rather than a simple majority — to approve new taxing districts.

Resolution 2026-13, submitted by Mike Colson, expresses support for nuclear energy research and development at the Idaho National Laboratory, aligning with a broader conservative push to expand domestic energy production.

On social issues, Resolution 2026-09 from Randy Rieken calls for a Traditional American Family Values Month to be observed between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Resolution 2026-12, brought by Karen Seibold, formally opposes an abortion initiative expected to appear on Idaho’s November ballot.

Resolution 2026-07 opposes marijuana rescheduling and legalization, while Resolution 2026-06 opposes legal indemnification for manufacturers of vaccines and pesticides — a measure presented by Gresham Bouma that drew on longstanding debates over liability protections granted to vaccine makers.

Agriculture and Local Control

Bruce Loertscher brought Resolution 2026-10 addressing the threat posed by the New World screwworm to Idaho’s beef supply, reflecting the state’s agricultural priorities. Resolution 2026-14, from Grace Bauer, calls for local government authority over the placement of wireless telecommunications equipment.

Resolution 2026-04, from Owyhee County delegates, addresses procedures for county commissioner appointments when filling prosecutor vacancies, and Resolution 2026-22, from Kelly Ann Gomes, pushes for expanded training programs for precinct committeemen.

Together, the 18 approved resolutions represent the party’s official platform positions heading into the November 2026 election cycle.