Today in the political rumor mill: state GOP chair steps down

Kevin Richert | 04/10/2017

Idaho Republican Party Chairman Steve Yates will step down later this month.

But it doesn’t look like he’s stepping away from politics.

Here’s a Yates quote from an Idaho GOP news release Monday. “While this transition has been on my mind for some time, in recent weeks many supporters have asked me to consider running for another office and I have decided to give that serious consideration.”

Last week, Chuck Malloy of Idaho Politics Weekly linked Yates to the open race for lieutenant governor. Three Republicans have already filed paperwork naming a campaign treasurer: Sen. Marv Hagedorn of Meridian; Rep. Kelley Packer of McCammon and former Rep. Janice McGeachin of Idaho Falls.

Yates has not named a campaign treasurer, a precursor to collecting contributions.

The part-time lieutenant governor’s post is up for grabs since GOP incumbent Brad Little is running for governor.

Yates’ resignation as GOP chair is effective April 24.

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at [email protected]