Nampa, Idaho — Branden Durst has announced his candidacy for First Vice Chair of the Idaho Republican Party, citing the urgent need to protect the integrity of Republican nomination contests and bring proven, hands-on experience to state party leadership.
“Nominating candidates is one of the most sacred responsibilities of party membership,” said Durst. “Systematic crossover voting is undermining that process, and it’s time the Idaho Republican Party took back control.”
Durst is not a newcomer to party governance. He has led the rewriting of significant portions of the Idaho GOP platform and state party rules — including the very affiliation rules now at the center of the nomination integrity debate. He served on the special committee on the presidential caucus, was vice chair of Legislative District 22, chaired the state party redistricting committee, and was recently elected by his fellow Republicans as delegation chair for Legislative District 11 to the state convention. In the final two weeks of the 2024 election, he volunteered for President Trump on the ground in Pennsylvania. He knows how the party works, how elections are won, and what is at stake.
Durst has outlined two core priorities for his candidacy: enforcing existing party affiliation and deadline rules — through federal litigation if necessary — and working with the State Central Committee to adopt a new nomination method for federal and statewide offices that closes the door on outside interference once and for all.
Beyond ballot integrity, Durst points to a looming threat that demands experienced leadership: a radical pro-abortion initiative that could fundamentally alter Idaho law. He brings decades of high-level experience in campaigns, data science, and polling — skills he argues are critically needed on a state party executive committee facing a major ballot fight.
“I don’t want to wake up on November 4 with Idaho having some of the most extreme pro-abortion laws in the Republic,” Durst said. “The State Executive Committee needs leaders who bring a variety of real-world skillsets — not just conviction, but capability.”
Durst is asking for the support of Republicans across Idaho who believe the party should control its own nominations, defend its principles, and put experienced, battle-tested leadership in place for the fights ahead.
About Branden Durst
Branden Durst, MPA, EdS, is the chairman of Brabeion Academy. He is a former Idaho state representative and Idaho state senator and co-creator of the highly successful Advanced Opportunities program.
