MY TURN: Rightwing Republicans want to cut voters out

Dear, True Idaho Republican Voters,

Rightwing Republicans want to cut you out of choosing the Republican candidates who will be in the general election. They think the Republican precinct committeemen on the central committees should choose the candidates in the Republican primary, not you the voters.

Why rightwing Republicans want to defeat the Idaho Open Primaries Initiative

Certain chosen committeemen represent North Idaho on the Republican State Central Committee. Typically, a precinct committeeman on the Kootenai County Central Committee.

So, when it comes to attitudes and plans for voters in Idaho, we should pay attention to the words certain committeemen have used. Names have been removed as of late current events in respect, however these words have been spoken.

They, the KCRCC, has written and told people for some time that “The nomination of the Republican party? That is for the Republican party to decide. Who is the Republican party? … it is the precinct committeemen. It is their call to make. Too bad we are forced by statute to have a primary.” Read that last part again. A committeeman for the KCRCC said it is sad the law gives voters the right to vote in the primary election.

This attitude explains a lot about the orchestrated takeover of the Idaho Republican party by a highly focused group of extreme rightwing Republicans.

These are not Republicans as we know them. They do not believe in the rights of voters and they, the KCRCC, think you are too dumb to choose the people they want, so they have been changing the rules to get more control. Their latest change is the presidential primary. There was an effort by good legislators to combine the presidential primary with county, state and congressional primaries in Idaho, which are held in May. Having them all on one date would have increased voter turnout and saved taxpayers an estimated $2.7 million.

• • •

Tom Sanner is a lifelong Idaho resident.