If you are concerned about RINOs in the Republican Party, support the Open Primaries Initiative

Many of our fellow Republicans, including our current state party leadership, are concerned that other Republicans, particularly some of those holding elected positions, are not Republican enough.

They call them RINOs, support party rules allowing the party to discipline elected officials or even to prevent those deemed insufficiently Republican from running in general elections as Republicans. Their consistent argument is that the Republican Party is a “private club” that can make and enforce any rules it likes regarding its internal affairs.

There is some truth to their assertions. In 2008, the leadership of the Idaho Republican Party successfully sued the state to close the Republican Party primary. Since that time, in many parts of the state, only registered Republicans have been able to vote in meaningful elections. As a result, some people who might prefer to identify as independents register as Republicans — because they want some input into who represents them. Similarly, some who might otherwise register with one of Idaho’s other three political parties (Constitution, Democratic, Libertarian) instead register as Republicans.

While our party should be a “big tent” party, the closed primary has made it larger than it would be otherwise. Some of its members don’t even want to be in the club, they just want to vote, and the Republican primary is often the only election available.

The Open Primaries Initiative solves this problem. If it passes, no one who wants to be a Democrat, Constitutionalist, Libertarian or Independent will have any incentive to register as a Republican. They can join whatever party they prefer, or no party at all, and still vote in both primaries and general elections.

Those of us who remain as Republicans can stay and determine how to run our party without the participation of those who prefer to be elsewhere.

If the Open Primaries Initiative would get RINOs out of the party, why is the current state leadership opposing it? Some in leadership are less focused on the long-term health of the party and state, and more focused on the short-term goal of getting candidates that agree with them elected. That is easier with a closed Republican primary, even with some RINOs participating. It is more difficult for party leaders to get their candidates elected if every Idahoan can vote. They don’t want to give up that advantage, even if it harms the state and our party.

Recently former Gov. Butch Otter and over 100 other prominent Republicans announced their support for the Open Primaries Initiative. This is a bipartisan reform that will make Idaho better. The best thing that can happen for the long-term health of the Idaho Republican Party is the passage of the Open Primaries Initiative.

Randy Sutton Republican Precinct Committeeman, chair of Madison County Republican Central Committee

Eric Erickson, Republican precinct committeeman

Hyrum Erickson, Republican precinct committeeman