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Changes coming for Idaho Democrats

by Judd Wilson Staff Writer
| December 26, 2018 12:00 AM

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Marley

COEUR d’ALENE — The Idaho Democratic Party will come under new management next spring.

Bert Marley, who served for three years as party chairman after running for lieutenant governor in 2014, will step down March 16, 2019. The State Central Committee will meet on that date to elect its new chair, said party spokesman Lindsey Snider.

The party’s executive director, Elle Casner, will also step down in March. Casner worked for the party since 2015, and as its executive director since 2017. Snider said the IDP will announce the hiring process for its next executive director in early 2019.

Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee chairman Shem Hanks said he’s thankful for Marley’s and Casner’s work. Marley’s leadership and good humor got the state party through contentious moments at its conventions, Hanks said. Casner built a strong staff that helped elect Democrats.

Hanks said he was surprised that Casner will be leaving, but appreciated her contributions.

Kootenai Democrats will make up seven voting members at the state central committee meeting in March, said Hanks. He said he’ll keep an open mind about who should next lead the state party.

“I am hoping there will be a flood of qualified candidates that put their names out there for both positions,” he said. “I hope to see a variety of ideas, ages, genders, ethnicities and economic backgrounds apply for these two roles. Both roles are going to need individuals with strong leadership skills, willingness to work with others, an understanding of Idaho politics and a clear vision of where they want the party to go.”

Marley and Casner made the following statement: “We are proud to leave the Idaho Democratic Party stronger than it has been in years and are confident that the IDP is in a position to continue to be successful for years to come.”