By Idaho GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon
Nothing lifts my spirits like spending time with our great Republican volunteers. This job is not for the faint of heart, let me tell you. From flying across the country for RNC meetings to logging onto social media and seeing people calling for my head—it can be quite the whirlwind!
But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The other night, I drove down to Marsing for an event with the High Desert Republican Women, and it was fantastic. Our republican system of government isn’t built on political parties or elected officials; it’s built on the people. The first three words of both our U.S. Constitution and our Idaho Constitution are “We the people…”
People are the engine of the Idaho Republican Party. Nothing we do would be possible without the time, energy, and money of Idahoans who care deeply about faith, family, and freedom. It’s people giving of their time to volunteer at events, their energy to knock on doors during campaign season, and their money to help us fund operations across the state.
Unlike the government, we can’t just levy taxes. Every dollar we spend in support of conservative values comes from voluntary donations.
Let me tell you about just a few of the people who give selflessly to the cause of freedom in Idaho.
Ronalee Linsenmann has been volunteering for the Idaho GOP for a long time. She regularly makes the trek to Boise to answer phones and handle paperwork in our office. This month, she once again organized our award-winning float in the Boise 4th of July parade. It’s obvious why she received the Idaho GOP Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
Steve Bender is another key part of our team. As treasurer, he keeps our books accurate and transparent, but he does much more than that. Steve travels to Lincoln Day Dinners and county fairs, helps train precinct committeemen, and empowers our volunteers to better serve their communities. He, too, was honored by the Idaho GOP in 2024 as our Most Valuable Person.
Vicki Keen, our national committeewoman, attends those RNC meetings I mentioned earlier, but she also leads the GOP’s outreach to local volunteers. She’s working hard to bring them the tools, resources, and training they need to connect with neighbors and strengthen our grassroots.
None of these volunteers receive compensation. They give of themselves not for recognition, but for a higher purpose. They are committed to the Idaho Republican Party, but more than that, they are committed to their neighbors, their state, and their God-given freedom.
I invite you to stop by the Idaho GOP booth at your local county fair over the next couple of months. Not only can you pick up important information, but you’ll get to meet some of our fantastic volunteers—the beating heart of our movement.
About Dorothy Moon
Dorothy Moon was elected to serve as the chairwoman of the Idaho Republican Party in July of 2022, and reelected in 2024. Moon served three terms in the Idaho Legislature as State Representative for District 8. Moon’s career in public service has focused on the advancement of individual liberties and reducing the size and scope of government.
