Embattled state GOP Chairman Barry Peterson announced today that he and six backers have filed a lawsuit in state district court in Twin Falls County, challenging the state GOP central committee meeting that's been set for Aug. 2 by petition of several counties' delegations to pick new state party leaders. The lawsuit targets Mike Mathews and Cindy Siddoway, whom Peterson termed "the two party members who illegally issued a call for a special meeting of the State Central Committee while unilaterally declaring that all state party offices were vacant."

"It is with great regret that we have had to take this legal action to enforce state party rules," Peterson said in a statement. "Since June 12, 2014, much effort has been put forth to sit down with Gov. Otter to resolve this issue. With no response from the governor, this action is necessary to uphold the integrity of the party and the party Rules." Click below for his full statement. Peterson called for a meeting of the same body on Aug. 9. While he maintains he's still the state party chairman, others say his term ended after two years when this year's state party convention ended in disarray, without any votes on leaders, resolutions or a party platform. Instead, factions within the party spent the entire convention fighting over whether or not to allow several counties' delegations to participate. The Idaho Statesman has posted Peterson's complaint here.

PRESS RELEASE July 17th, 2014 For Immediate Release Contact: Chairman Barry Peterson 208-343-6405 Idaho Republican Party

For Immediate Release: Suit filed to Enjoin unauthorized call of Central Committee Meeting for August 2, 2014 in violation of State Party Rules TWIN FALLS, ID -- Today, State Chairman, Barry Peterson, and six members of the Idaho Republican Party Executive Committee, LeeAnn Callear, Vicky Purdy, Bryan Smith, Todd Hatfield, Marla Lawson and John Cross, filed a lawsuit in the District Court in Twin Falls against Mike Mathews and Cindy Siddoway, the two party members who illegally issued a call for a special meeting of the State Central Committee while unilaterally declaring that all state party offices were vacant.                   "It is with great regret that we have had to take this legal action to enforce State Party Rules. Since June 12, 2014, much effort has been put forth to sit down with Governor Otter to resolve this issue. With no response from the Governor, this action is necessary to uphold the integrity of the Party and the Party Rules."                    "The power of the Governor's office reaches every nook and cranny of the state's political realm. Yet, the Republican Party is self-governing and has over the years established Rules to operate under. When some feel they are not bound by the Rules, does that mean that power makes right and we can set the Rules aside? For some it does. But I believe for the majority it is still important to operate within the Rules."                   "With communication and cooperation, a reasonable solution to this issue can be found. Contrary to some opinions, this dispute is not because I wish to remain Chairman. The objective is to work with and respect the Rules of the Party. With the support of the Governor, we can find an answer."           # # #

Paid for by the Idaho Republican Party