Take Back Idaho Condemns Election of Dorothy Moon to Idaho GOP Party Chair

Moon’s Chairmanship Represents a Dangerous Lurch to the Fringes of the Party

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (July 16, 2022) – Take Back Idaho’s board issued the following statement in response to Dorothy Moon’s election to Idaho Republican Party State Chair:

“Dorothy Moon’s election to Idaho GOP leadership is absolutely disturbing. Moon’s dangerous gallery of associations— including militant Ammon Bundy, militia leader Eric Parker, convicted rapist Aaron von Ehlinger, and white nationalists like Wendy Rogers—should be disqualifying for state party leadership.

But, fresh from their rightful rejection by Idaho voters just eight weeks ago, Moon and her powerful cronies are doing what they do best: changing the rules, courting extremists, and demanding allegiance to their dark vision for Idaho.

With Dorothy Moon’s election to leadership, the Idaho Republican Party has firmly lost all touch with the average Idahoan.”

During her run for Secretary of State in the recent Idaho Republican Primary, many of Moon’s past and present extremist associations came to light:

• Moon was a staunch defender of disgraced ex-legislator Aaron von Ehlinger, who was convicted this year of raping a teenaged intern. Moon was called as a witness by von Ehlinger’s defense team during his trial, and indicated that he was “a perfect gentleman.”
  
• Moon is an outspoken ally of Ammon Bundy, who is notably running against the Republican nominee for Idaho governor, Brad Little. Bundy spent time in federal prison for his role in the armed takeover of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Burns, Oregon in 2016. Moon was there when Bundy was released and he thanked her on camera for her advocacy. Moon has photos and a video of Bundy on her website calling the occasion a “fantastic day,” and thanking him for his praise of her, writing, “His kind words inspire me to continue working hard for my constituents.”
  
• Moon is also an ally of Eric Parker, the “Bundy Sniper,” who spent time in prison for his role in the 2014 Bunkerville, Nevada standoff. Parker is the leader of the paramilitary group Real Idaho 3%ers and has run for office on multiple occasions. In December of last year, both Moon and Parker held a joint campaign event in Idaho. Moon previously authored a letter to then Attorney General Jeff Sessions calling for Parker’s case to be dropped. In 2018, Moon introduced Parker on the House floor in a move that caused widespread condemnation.

• Moon regularly attends events with bigoted and paramilitary groups. Earlier this year, she attended an event put on by the Panhandle Patriots and was photographed with the group next to its leader, Mike Birdsong. Birdsong was at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, with Proud Boys who are on trial for the actions that day. He also routinely travels to the U.S./Mexico border to engage in vigilante patrols targeting migrants. Panhandle Patriots made national headlines earlier this year when its members were videoed saying about Coeur d’Alene Pride in the Park, “Good people need to stand up. We say, ‘Damn the repercussions, stand up, take it to the head. Go to the fight, if you can possibly.”
   
• Moon has also fostered relationships with a number of other far-right elected officials in other states. Moon is an ally of disgraced former Washington House member Matt Shea. Shea was removed from the House after a report found that he “participated in an act for terrorism against the United States” for his role in multiple standoffs with the federal government. Shea has praised Moon for her efforts to support those involved standoffs with the federal government.
  
• Moon is also a supporter of Arizona Sen. Wendy Rogers, who spoke at a white nationalist event earlier this year and has a long history of bigotry. Rogers traveled to Idaho in May to campaign for gubernatorial candidate Janice McGeachin. At the event, Moon referred to Rogers as “her new best friend,” and said, “We are sisters, sisters of the West.”

• Moon is closely allied with the John Birch Society, an anti-democracy, far-right group Long-regarded as too extreme for the mainstream Republican party, JBS was founded on fringe conspiracy theories and has gained a strong foothold amongst some Idaho electeds like Moon. Moon’s husband, Darr Moon, sits on the John Birch Society’s national council. 

ABOUT TAKE BACK IDAHO
The Take Back Idaho PAC and its members and supporters are determined to take Idaho back from the grip of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, its partner organizations, and their acolytes in the Statehouse. The PAC seeks to elect responsible candidates in the 2022 and subsequent primary elections and supports individuals dedicated to educating our children, working together to solve our chronic problems, and restoring a sense of community and common purpose in Idaho.