Republican candidates visit IFRW barbecue
(Courtesy photo) Attendees at the recent summer barbecue.
(Courtesy photo) Kootenai County Republican Women member Teri Duke talks to Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden.
(Courtesy photo) IFRW President Charlene Matheson, right, gets her picture taken with North Idaho Federated Republican Women member Helen Williams Baker.
(Courtesy photo) Members staff a booth at the recent barbecue.
The Idaho Federation of Republican Women’s Red, White & Blue Barbecue — the conclusion of the Idaho Republican summer meeting — provided an opportunity for 120-plus guests to hear from 2018 Republican primary candidates for state and congressional district offices.
Gubernatorial candidates Congressman Raul Labrador and Lt. Governor Brad Little launched the evening of campaign speeches. Following them, lieutenant governor candidates Janice McGeachin and Steve Yates addressed the assembly.
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and Controller Brandon Woolf followed, with Congressional District 1 candidates Russ Fulcher and David Leroy concluding the evening.
The sold-out event took place on lawn of the Coeur d’Alene White House, which was decorated with red, white and blue bunting, balloons and flowers. Yard games and a life-sized Donald Trump poster surrounded tables covered with black tablecloths and topped with red and blue bandanas.
Centerpieces of flowers in vases filled with organic black beans decorated tables. Photos of all Republican candidates running for office greeted guests when they arrived. At the evening’s end, folks went home with Idaho Spud candy bars.
IFRW President Charlene Matheson introduced each candidate with a few humorous warm-up questions, then invited them to speak for three minutes. Tracey Wasden, wife of Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, served as time keeper, letting candidates know they had exhausted their time by raising a sign with a red cowboy boot.
Newly elected ID GOP Chairman Jonathan Parker was honored at the meal, but was unable to attend.
IFRW members, donning red, white and blue cowboy hats, came from around the state to help with the celebration. Kootenai President Teri Duke assisted Matheson throughout the two-day meeting.
The Idaho Federation of Republican Women promotes Republican principles and educates Republican women in the governmental process. The federation provides assistance to local Republican women’s clubs.