I still remember the day Dorothy Moon won election as chair of the Idaho Republican Party. Having lost the race for secretary of state by only 1.66%, she announced her candidacy for party leadership and was immediately met with nasty attacks from all sides. Nevertheless, the feeling at the convention in Twin Falls was electric. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a standing ovation like the one that followed Brent Regan nominating her for party chair.
Despite near-constant attacks and attempts to undermine her from those who preferred previous leadership, Moon tirelessly worked to carry out the will of Republican grassroots activists and advance conservative values in Idaho. She was rewarded with a landslide reelection at the 2024 state convention in Coeur d’Alene, winning 62.3% of the vote, and followed that up by leading the victorious fight against ranked choice voting, which lost 70-30 on the November ballot.
As far as I know, no Idaho GOP chair has run for and won a third term in at least four decades, yet this week Dorothy Moon announced her intention to do just that:
Moon emphasized the importance of party unity heading into the 2026 election cycle, especially in opposing the radical pro-abortion initiative expected to appear on the November ballot.
“Idaho Republicans share a common commitment to protecting our state from the failed policies we see spreading across the country,” she said. “Now is the time to continue building a strong, unified organization capable of winning elections, protecting our most vulnerable, and preserving Idaho’s unique way of life for future generations.”
As a delegate to the 2026 convention, I am proud to support Dorothy Moon in her quest for a third term as chair.
I can’t claim to be unbiased here, of course. I’ve had the privilege of working with Chairwoman Moon for quite a while now. Over the past year, I’ve taken on multiple responsibilities within the Idaho GOP as a paid consultant, all of which require close coordination with the chair and staff. I know some have found Dorothy difficult to work with, but I believe that is because she has high expectations for those who commit themselves to this cause.
I have never seen a more tenacious worker, and as high as her expectations are for staff and volunteers, Dorothy’s highest expectations are for herself. She has spent tremendous time and treasure in service to the Idaho GOP and the conservative cause for four years now, following six years in the Legislature, spending far too many days away from her husband, family, and home on the mountain.
Under Dorothy Moon’s leadership, the Idaho GOP has grown from 550,000 registered voters to more than 631,000. Its share of registered voters in Idaho has increased from 55% to nearly 62%. The last legislative session had more Republican senators and representatives than at any point in the past twenty years, and our statewide and federal offices have remained firmly red. Under Moon’s leadership, the Idaho GOP led the charge against ranked choice voting in 2024 and is preparing to lead the charge against the radical abortion initiative this year.
Over the past four years, Dorothy Moon has built a strong coalition of elected officials, party officers, and volunteers within the Idaho GOP. While some on the more populist/libertarian side of things seem frustrated that Moon hasn’t snapped her fingers and unilaterally ejected all the “RINOs” from the party, I know quite a few people who once opposed her but have now come alongside her to work together for the good of Idaho. Once people get past the caricature that has grown up around her, they often find that there is no one more dedicated to the cause of liberty than Dorothy Moon.
Running the Idaho Republican Party takes more than conservative bona fides, it takes more than charisma, and it takes more than organizational talent—though Dorothy Moon has all of those things. The state chair must know all the players and be able to tell who is sincere and who has a hidden agenda. The state chair must be strong enough to do what needs to be done, but humble enough to serve the state central committee and the Republican voters of Idaho. The state chair must have the time and resources to travel to every corner of the state, supporting local committees and candidates, talking to voters where they are, and equipping them to be leaders in their communities.
Later this month, I will attend my fourth Idaho GOP state convention. As an alternate, I did not vote in 2020, but watched and learned. I voted for Dorothy in 2022 and again in 2024, and I look forward to casting my vote for her again in just over two weeks. She’s the hardest-working person I know, and the Idaho GOP has been blessed by her leadership. I hope my fellow delegates will join me in supporting Dorothy Moon one more time.
About Brian Almon
Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.
