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Eye On Boise

Yates wins second term as state GOP chairman

Idaho GOP Chairman Steve Yates speaks to delegates during the afternoon session of the third day of Idaho GOP Party Convention in Nampa, Idaho, Saturday, June 4, 2016. (AP / Otto Kitsinger)
Idaho GOP Chairman Steve Yates speaks to delegates during the afternoon session of the third day of Idaho GOP Party Convention in Nampa, Idaho, Saturday, June 4, 2016. (AP / Otto Kitsinger)

Steve Yates has won a second term as chairman of the Idaho Republican Party, defeating challenges from Kathy Sims and Mike Duff. The vote was reportedly lopsidedly in favor of Yates; just after his victory was announced, Sims took the microphone and said, “I would like to move that the record will reflect a unanimous vote for the new chairman.”

Melinda Smyser, convention vice-chair, told Sims, “Thank you for your statesmanship and for your service in the Legislature.” The convention then passed the motion to make the vote unanimous on a voice vote, and greeted Yates with a standing ovation.



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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