Winter Meeting Day 2, Part 1: The Special Meeting

Jan 7

The long-simmering Damond Watkins drama concluded this morning.

The second day of the 2023 Idaho GOP Winter Meeting began with the special meeting regarding the residency of National Committeeman Damond Watkins’ residency. Click here to read about the background to this issue.

It was finally time to dispense with the innuendo and settle the issue once and for all. Legislative District 2 Chairman Scott Hill presented the case that Watkins had vacated his position by moving out of state and therefore the Central Committee had the authority to appoint someone to fill the position until the next State Convention. Watkins defended himself, claiming that the case was misleading, and that he remains a qualified elector - that is, a legal voter - in Idaho as defined by law. He broke down into tears as he lamented the ordeal, saying that his family’s privacy had been invaded.

Damond Watkins (right) listens to Region 1 Chair Bjorn Handeen Friday evening

There were some very good arguments made by the complainants: Senator Scott Herndon, who is also Chairman of the Bonner County GOP, said that it is imperative for elected officials to live with the people they represent. Watkins cannot represent the people of Idaho in the Republican National Committee if he is spending most of his time on the East Coast. David Worley of Pocatello, who ran for State Senate last year, argued that the issue was simply about whether or not one of our officers resided in this state or not, and the evidence showed he did not. Finally, Nina Beesley of Kootenai County suggested that if Watkins resided in North Carolina then he should get involved in Republican politics there rather than continuing to represent Idaho.

There were some good arguments in defense of Damond Watkins as well. Ben Fuhriman of Idaho Falls pointed out that, even if everything the complainants said was true, party rules did not give the committee the authority to remove an officer from his position. Since Watkins remains a qualified elector in the state, and due to the simple fact that he was present and checked in for this very meeting, the position was clearly not vacant.

1st Vice Chair Daniel Silver championed Watkins’ cause all morning, arguing that rules not only prohibited this very meeting, but that the committee had no authority to simply declare the position vacant. Most of his motions were ruled out of order by the chairman of the special meeting, Kootenai County GOP Chairman Brent Regan, or overruled by the body. It was clear that a majority of delegates were prepared to remove Watkins one way or another.

To be honest, that troubled me. As I said in my previous essay on the subject, while I believe Damond Watkins should have resigned when he moved out of state, I did not, and still do not believe that there is sufficient foundation in our rules to either remove him or declare the seat vacant. I felt uncomfortable throughout the meeting, as details of a man’s personal life were argued by political opponents in open committee. I worried that if the committee voted that Watkins had vacated his seat, then it would not only open them up to issues of liability, but would set an unfortunate precedent.

I was pleased, therefore, when State Treasurer Steve Bender moved to remand the issue to an investigative committee, to be appointed by the State Chair. Daniel Silver seconded the motion, and it passed overwhelmingly.

I am glad that the committee was able to come to an agreement that satisfied both sides of the issue. Hopefully the committee will conclude its investigation and rule properly, but Watkins can obviate most of the complaints simply by resuming his duties. I heard from several people who were less upset by the residency issue than by the fact that Watkins had missed several RNC meetings in the past year. (Correction: Watkins missed one RNC meeting and two Idaho GOP meetings.) With the election of the chair and preparation for the 2024 presidential election cycle at hand in this month’s RNC meeting, it is imperative that the Idaho GOP has its full representation.

I believe this was the best possible outcome of this ordeal. Everyone felt like they accomplished something. The complainants were able to air their grievances, reminding the body of the importance of elected representatives residing with the people they represent, while Watkins and his defenders staved off a vote that would surely have gone against them, one that would likely have caused unforeseen consequences down the road.

It was a great start to the day. The General Session began immediately, and Attorney General Raúl Labrador took the podium to remind us that we were all Republicans and all on the same side.