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Why It Matters
Idaho Republicans made history at their 2026 state convention by electing an entirely female executive committee — a first for the state party. The vote signals strong grassroots confidence in the party’s current leadership direction as Idaho heads into a consequential election cycle that includes a high-profile abortion ballot initiative.
What Happened
Delegates at the 2026 Idaho Republican State Convention re-elected Dorothy Moon as state chair, giving her a third consecutive term in the role. The full executive committee elected alongside Moon is made up entirely of women, a milestone in the party’s history.
Moon defeated two challengers to secure her position: Mark Fuller, who had been serving as incumbent first vice chair, and Steven Thayn, a former state senator. Moon collected enough support to avoid a runoff vote entirely.
With three consecutive terms now secured, Moon matches a benchmark set by Dennis Olsen, who won three terms as state chair in the early 1980s.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that the Republican base has confidence in the work that we’ve been doing in the office over the years,” Moon said following the vote.
The New Executive Committee
The newly elected leadership team is as follows:
- State Chair: Dorothy Moon (re-elected, third term)
- First Vice Chair: Viki Purdy
- Second Vice Chair: Julianne Young
- Treasurer: Sandra Eaton
- Secretary: Carla Mattare
By the Numbers
Key figures from the convention:
- 3 — consecutive terms Moon has now won as state chair
- 5 — members of the all-female executive committee
- 2 — challengers Moon defeated, including an incumbent officer and a former state senator
- 1 — previous chair (Dennis Olsen, early 1980s) to have won three consecutive terms
Abortion Initiative Looms Over 2026 Race
The convention also drew attention to a citizen-led ballot initiative that Idaho Republicans are preparing to oppose heading into November. The Idaho Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act Initiative, if it qualifies for the 2026 ballot, would legalize abortion in the state up to the point of fetal viability.
Party leaders wasted little time framing the measure as a threat. Newly elected Second Vice Chair Julianne Young called the initiative far-reaching in its scope, arguing it goes well beyond what supporters publicly acknowledge. “Folks need to know that this initiative is extreme. It is a pro abortion at any time initiative,” Young said.
The initiative represents one of the most direct challenges to Idaho’s existing abortion laws in years. Idaho Republicans are likely to make opposition to the measure a central organizing issue through the fall campaign season. Idaho has also joined more than a dozen other states asking the EPA to classify the abortion pill as a water contaminant, reflecting the party’s broader posture on abortion policy heading into the election year.
Zoom Out
Moon’s re-election and the elevation of an all-female leadership slate reflect a broader pattern in Mountain West Republican politics, where grassroots conservative activists have increasingly taken control of state party machinery away from establishment figures. Moon’s Idaho GOP has been among the more ideologically assertive state parties in the region, pushing conservative priorities on issues ranging from border security to parental rights in education.
The 2026 election cycle is shaping up to be a test of whether that approach energizes the base enough to defeat ballot measures backed by well-funded progressive organizations.
What’s Next
With the new executive committee in place, Idaho Republicans will turn their attention to candidate recruitment, fundraising, and building a campaign infrastructure to counter the abortion ballot initiative before November. The party’s ability to mobilize its base — particularly in rural counties where Moon’s support runs deepest — will likely determine whether the initiative advances or fails.
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