New candidate for Idaho GOP chair

An Idaho Falls businessman has announced his candidacy for Idaho Republican Party chairman. Steve Yates said three themes will be a guide for his candidacy; focus forward, linking grassroots and governance, and “coming home.”

Yates has served as deputy assistant to former Vice President Dick Cheney for national security affairs. He also started his own business before moving his company to Idaho Falls in 2011.

Eyewitness Newsasked him how he will attempt to bring what appears to be a fractured party together again.

“One of the assets that I can potentially bring is the ability to engage people on all sides. I’ve always been open and interested in talking to people with different points of view. A lot of my jobs in life have involved dealing with people who had different points of view and I’ve been straightforward and honest with the people I’ve interacted with,” said Yates.

A lot of controversy has surrounded the Idaho GOP lately. The party convention failed to choose a chairperson. Barry Peterson still claims the seat, but a lot of people disagree.

The next GOP meeting is scheduled for either Aug. 2 or Aug. 9.