Idaho GOP Candidates Required To Sign Platform Pledge

Republican candidates running for office in Idaho have an additional hurdle to jump through this election season.

The Idaho Republican Party is requiring all candidates to complete a survey, showing voters their opinions on various issues important to the platform. Candidates can pledge their support to the party’s platform, or outline where they disagree and state why.

“I think it’s probably an eight- or 10-hour project for me,” said Greg Crockett, Republican candidate running for District 30.

For many Republican candidates, including Crockett, completing the Idaho Republican Party’s platform survey is no simple task. The 18-page platform outlines various topics the party stands behind.

“It talks about energy, economic policies and education and individual rights and liberties,” said Bart Davis, Idaho Senate majority leader. “All very appropriate subjects for a party, any party, to have positions on.”

Under the Idaho GOP rules, Republican legislators and office holders must adhere to the party’s platform. So far roughly 75 percent of all Republican politicians have submitted their surveys. For Crockett, his survey is still in the works.

“I adhere to much of the Republican Party platform,” said Crockett. “There are some aspects that I do disagree with. I attempted to spend the time necessary to go through their survey and respond, but I just flat ran out of time.”

Candidates were required to submit their survey 30 days before the primaries on May 15. However, GOP leaders say candidates who haven’t yet submitted their surveys can still run for office and turn them in later.