Column: Idaho Party Politics

Diverse Group Will Represent Idaho Dems at Denver Convention

By Jill Kuraitis, 6-16-08

The bouncy buzz in the air never stopped from Thursday to Saturday nights as delegate hopefuls, legislators, candidates, party officials and “just Democrats” met at the Doubletree Riverside hotel.  Heavily-attended candidate training sessions, committee meetings, platform discussions, speeches from candidates and social events went back-to-back in the Party’s party atmosphere, all leading up to the lively election of 23 delegates and officials to represent Idaho at the August national convention in Denver.  They’re listed below.

The diversity of the group - and its relative youth - is remarkable coming from a state which is about 90% white, which may send a message which refutes Idaho’s reputation as a haven for prejudice.  Four are African-American, one is Native American and several are biracial Native American; several are multiracial, one is Latina; one is of East Indian heritage, and at least two are gay.

SUPERDELEGATES:
1. Keith Roark, Hailey, Attorney, IDP Chairman and Delegation Chairman
2. Jeanne Buell, St. Maries, Businesswoman, IDP Vice Chairwoman
3. Grant Burgoyne, Boise, Attorney, National Committeeman
4. Gail Bray, Boise, Law Office, National Committeewoman
5. Richard Stallings, Pocatello, Professor and past IDP state chairman

ELECTED DELEGATES
CD1 Obama:
6. Richard Hill II, Moscow, graduate student of neuroscience,
African-American
7. Estella O Zamora, Canyon County, Interpreter, Latina
8. T.J. Thompson, Boise, internal auditor, Idaho Power
9. Maj StormoGipson, Coeur dAlene, Pediatrician
10. Kassie Cerami, Boise, Obama for America, Native American/White

CD2 Obama
11. James A. Fletcher, Pocatello, Vice President of Finance and
Administration, African-American
12. Frances J. Jones, Boise, counselor, African-American
13. Rebecca A.B. Suits, Boise, philanthropist/business owner,
African-American
14. Steven Mercado, Twin Falls, student, multi-racial
15. Debu Majundar, Idaho Falls, Physicist, East Indian/Calcutta

CD1 Clinton
16. Ryan Robinson, Coeur d’Alene, Student, LGBT
CD2 Clinton
17. Jeanette Wolfley, Pocatello, Attorney, Native-American/Shoshone-Bannock
Tribes)

PLEOs (Pledged Elected Officials)
18. Rep. Nicole LeFavour, State Legislator, Boise, LGBT
19. Mayor Dave Bieter, Boise

AT-LARGE DELEGATES
20. Albert Wilkerson (additional information pending)
21. Matt Kopydowski (additional information pending)
22. Megan Nagel (additional information pending)
23. Paulette Jordon (additional information pending)

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