Idaho Dems build party platform

MOSCOW — The Idaho Democratic Party spent the first day of its state convention building the party platform detailing its priorities.

Hundreds of Democrats from across Idaho traveled to Moscow for the 2024 Idaho Democratic Party State Convention.

More than 300 delegates elected at the May 23 Democratic presidential caucus gathered at the University of Idaho for the two-day conference, and will choose delegates to attend the Democratic National Convention and approve the party platform, according to the party website.

The convention was kicked off Saturday with a breakfast hosted by the LGBTQ Democratic Caucus of Idaho. Many workshops and committee hearings were held, including a platform committee hearing and presentations on economic messaging and fundraising.

Events will continue today, such as a state central committee meeting, service project and others. The party platform will be accepted and delegates will be selected that evening.

Officials workshopped the party platform Saturday afternoon. Guided by Sen. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, a session was held to receive input from Idaho Democrats on the party’s values.

Ada County Democrat Terri Pickens, a member of the party platform committee, said the Democratic Party believes in expanding access to affordable healthcare, tackling climate change and fostering an economy that works for everyone.

The party, Pickens said, aspires to raise the minimum wage and promote workers’ rights. It’s dedicated to protecting and expanding civil rights and social justice, supporting LGBTQ rights, women’s reproductive rights and criminal justice reform, she added.

Democratics also advocate for sensible gun control measures and comprehensive immigration reform, Pickens said, while also providing Idaho students with a quality education, protecting natural resources and strengthening the nation’s democracy.

Honor Harris, of Ada County, said the party should focus on defending the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which is “really under fire right now.” She noted there are people working to rewrite documents quintessential to democracy.

“Let’s face it,” Harris said. “There’s a possibility we could lose it.”

Jim Fabe, of Blaine County, said democracy is dependent on people having sufficient income, basic housing, and access to food, energy and healthcare. He said the country should work toward supporting citizens’ basic needs so they can become educated voters.

“They need this so that they can avoid desperation forcing them into drugs, homelessness and criminal activity,” Fabe said.

Many spoke to restoring women’s reproductive rights and protecting those who work in the medical field.

Nancy Hanks, of Shoshone County, said laws restricting reproductive care and emergency medical treatment are flying in the face of doctors who took the Hippocratic Oath.

“We’ve lost (a number of) doctors in Idaho already,” Hanks said, “because they’re afraid they’ll go to prison.”

She called for protections of doctors who provide treatment in Idaho.

Sally Toone, a former Idaho State representative, said the party should recognize the impact agriculture has on the economy. She said 90% of Idaho’s economy is driven by agriculture, and 144,000 acres of farmland have been lost in the past five years.

“We have more people with fewer farms feeding all of us,” Toone said. “We need to strengthen and protect our rural and agricultural communities with science, fairness and equity.”

Alejandro Necochea, of Ada County, said the climate must be discussed because change is happening today. He said there’s already been a few deaths from the recent heat wave in Idaho, and farmers with no protections are working in triple-digit temperatures.

“We have to focus on mitigating the health impacts of climate change happening in Idaho right now,” Necochea said.

Aimèe Christensen, of Blaine County, concurred with Necochea.

“Climate change is science, not Santa Claus,” Christensen said. “We must act now and invest in renewable energy and resilient food systems.”

Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com