Hundreds attend Republican Rally in Madison County - East Idaho News
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Hundreds attend Republican Rally in Madison County

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REXBURG — Local, state and nationally elected Republican officials met with Upper Valley residents over the weekend.

U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson spoke at a Republican Rally along with Lt. Gov. Brad Little. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter was not in attendance.

David Taylor, vice chairman of the Madison County Republican Central Committee, said there was a successful turnout. About 360 people attended the rally.

“People there were astounded at how well it went off,” Taylor said. He said it was a chance for people to mingle directly with their leaders, which isn’t always an option in more populous states.

“It (was) an opportunity for people to shake hands and talk right to (leaders of their) government,” organizer Steve Pinther said.

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Guests at the Republican Rally inside the Madison Middle School Gym. | Photos courtesy David Taylor

Some of the topics discussed:

  • Steve Yates, state GOP Chairman moderated a roundtable discussion. Among the topics raised was the Environmental Protection Agency and its use of the state’s waterways.
  • Little spoke about Idaho’s balanced budget and how Idaho held one of the best credit ratings as a state in the nation.
  • Crapo spoke on electing new justices in the United States Supreme Court and has decided he won’t vote until a new president is elected.

Organizer Marsha Bjorrn said the event was more than she had hoped. She said six counties were able ban together with representatives from each county – Madison, Jefferson, Fremont, Clarke, Teton and Butte. The money raised — $20,000 from the corporate tables alone — will go to strengthening the GOP in each of the counties.

“It was a wonderful turnout of grassroots people. We felt like people got what they wanted to hear from the elected officials,” Bjorrn said.

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