Judge: Idaho GOP chairman no longer controls party

TWIN FALLS (AP) - A judge ruled Tuesday that the chairman of the Idaho Republican Party, who sued to maintain control of a divided state GOP, is no longer in charge because his term ended a month ago.

Barry Peterson's two-year term expired when the chaotic state GOP convention adjourned earlier this year without electing a new leader, Fifth District Judge Randy Stoker said.

Peterson sued two party officers to keep his position after a meeting to elect new officers was called. He argued that Republican delegates voted to adjourn the convention in June with the understanding they were choosing to keep him, along with the rest of the officers, for another two years.

In an example of the rift between far-right conservatives and centrist Republicans in Idaho, various officials planned dueling meetings next month to elect new party officers, including a new chairman, an issue the judge took up.

An Aug. 2 meeting can go on as scheduled rather than the Aug. 9 meeting Peterson planned, Stoker ruled.

The judge voided a June meeting of party officers held by Peterson's opponents to appoint an interim chairman, but he said the Aug. 2 meeting is valid because it was called by the Central Committee, the governing board made up of legislative and county Republicans that establishes policy organizes party-building efforts and elects the chairman.

"You are a party without direction, it's pretty clear," Stoker said. "We have the political maneuvering here as to whether we meet on the 9th or the 2nd. And the objective of the rules is to put in place a mechanism for party officials who have the authority to elect their officers, and there is no question in my mind, that that rests with the central committee."

The head of the state GOP is typically appointed during the party's convention, but political infighting resulted in a failure to vote on leaders, resolutions or party platforms. It was the first time in more than 50 years that Republicans failed to accomplish anything at a convention.

Peterson's attorney, Christ Troupis, argued that the judge should rule for his client because it would show he was following GOP rules, adding that "the party is in trouble."

"Well, that's not something I can fix," Stoker replied.

C. Timothy Hopkins, representing party officers Mike Mathews and Cindy Siddoway, countered that the judge should not interfere with the Aug. 2 meeting because it was a political, not legal, matter.

"This is not a question of Idaho law," Hopkins said. "This is a question of the rules of the party."

After Stoker's ruling, Peterson - who had served one term - said he will not run again for chairman.