In Idaho, we want political positions to be filled with people who embody the principles that define our state: individual liberty, limited government, parental rights, and the steadfast defense of our constitutional rights.
Five years ago, when Citizens Alliance of Idaho first set up shop, the goal was simple: fill each chamber of the state legislature with twenty-five percent of that type of people, and then hold them accountable. In order to do that, we’d need at least a public commitment to a set of values that we could measure their actions by. The Oath to uphold the U.S. and Idaho Constitutions that legislators took was not sufficient to know their values. Citizens Alliance of Idaho sat down with stakeholders in the legislature, candidates, and ordinary citizens to devise a public Idaho legislator Pledge that personified the values with these binding documents.
Here is the trajectory of that success, including the upcoming 2027 session:
The real accomplishment for the people is, of course, what kind of legislation we got out of having legislators who make this public Pledge. The list is long, but the highlights include many bills that never would have passed if the old-guard, establishment class was still in positions held by Pledge Signers. The Idaho Medical Freedom Act protects your medical freedom and privacy, and ensures that no government entity can force you (or force your employer to require you) to undergo any medical treatment or disclose your medical history. The battle over this bill was fierce and if it wasn’t for the steadfast commitment of your coalition of Pledge Signers, it never would have passed. In fact, Conservatives in other state legislators are using this legislation as a model for their state. For reference, here is what a signed copy of the Pledge looks like.
Other reforms in the health realm included bills that require Idaho’s health districts to base their policies on actual science, and not the whim of bureaucrats motivated by money, ideology, or power — including whims such as mandating that children and adults wear masks, which is now also prohibited. In fact, Idaho has barred the World Health Organization (WHO) from imposing mandates that control what happens in our state. Doctors too will not be forced to perform medical procedures that violate their conscience. Even the Nobel Prize-winning generic medicine ivermectin can now be sold over the counter at your local pharmacy.
Taxpayers are also no longer on the hook to pay for non-nutritious soda and candy bars as part of the SNAP benefits program, nor to pay for sex-change operations for men in prison. When the governor proposed a 100 million dollar tax cut, House leadership (each one a Pledge Signer at the time) came over the top with a 400 million dollar tax cut, including lowering the flat the income tax rate to 5.3 percent.
When it came to protecting children, Pledge Signers stepped up to ensure dangerous medical treatments and procedures such as genital-mutilation surgeries were banned for minors. They passed the heartbeat law and trigger law abortion, which was successfully defended in courts and most recently survived an attempt by Prop 1 to gut it. They sponsored bills to stop trans-ideology and gender confusion curriculum from being taught in our K-12 education system, making sure that parents and guardians have full control over how those topics are handled at home. Legislation to protect girls and women in private areas such as restrooms and locker rooms was made universal in Idaho. Men are not allowed to invade women and girls’ privacy.
Free speech was strengthened through new anti-SLAPP laws and stronger protections on university and college campuses. I would also include legislation that passed last year ensuring the Idaho courts will rely on American law and not anti-Western Civilization Sharia law. Islamic ideology shall have no place in Idaho law. The list of wins can meander on and on, and if you want to, you can take that journey on your own here.
While most of the nation was conquered by a blue wave of Democrat, Socialist, and Islamic activists on Nov 3rd, Idaho stood firm against the pro-Abortion lobby pouring over $5 million into a fight to expand their industry through Prop 1. The unification of the Republican Party with grassroots activists in the pro-life and anti-abortion communities, and with other conservative and liberty-oriented activists, was inspiring to take part in, as it required so many God-fearing people to thwart the Left’s big plans through a massive 50,000+ door knocking campaign.
As of today, every single Pledge Signer incumbent who came into the general election won their race. They bring with them four new signers (three in the House, one in the Senate) into the legislature. Pledge Signers will now make up a majority of House Republicans. The people have delivered a clear mandate. Five Pledge Signer candidates were defeated by Democrats in their swing districts, but not for lack of trying. Having them win would have been a huge victory, but not even they could withstand national sentiment and the incredible turnout that Democrats had for their pro-abortion dreams in those swing areas. So, while that is a sore spot, it is merely a bruise in an otherwise winning battle.
We at Citizens Alliance of Idaho have been noticing something that we feel must be pointed out. It’s not meant to be boastful or arrogant, but we would be remiss if we did not share our observations. The Pledge works. After five years of holding Pledge Signers politically accountable, legislators know we mean it. Just ask former Representative Julie Yamamoto or now two-time former Senator Jim Woodward. We will expose your record, share it with your constituents and work with our allies to defeat you. When someone like Josh Keyser decides to sign the Pledge and take on the most powerful man in the Senate, President Pro Tempore Chuck Winder, our PAC is there to ensure a victory and keep him there during re-election through massive door-knocking operations. Because of situations like these we have seen Pledge Signers remain committed to their promise, and because the coalition grows, we’ve seen their adversaries within the Party choose their battles more strategically – because they know what kind of target it puts on them come next primary. To sum it up, the Pledge has made the Idaho Legislature more conservative, hands down.
We’ve seen how other groups’ scorecards can fracture unity among principled leaders. When people start obsessing over percentages and points instead of the values that inform votes, you wind up just treating government like it’s Fantasy Football, and you just want to end up with the most points scored instead of actually governing. That’s not the Pledge’s purpose. While not a perfect system, it aims to unite people with the same values who have the courage to publicly sign on and vote with conviction to build a coalition that will keep the Left from turning Idaho into Colorado or California, or worse. We need Pledge Signers who are committed to the Constitutions, the sovereignty of Idaho, and want to keep the Left from control, and wean the state off its reliance on the federal government.
In speaking personally with each of our Pledge Signers, I have confidence they are committed to not allowing the worst to happen. They may differ on the strategy, but they are on the right course. And when they appear to deviate, we will call them out. Senator Dan Foreman’s mysterious attempts to derail a Pledge Signer-driven bill to stop taxpayers from subsidizing teachers’ unions were highlighted aggressively. Fortunately, Senator Brian Lenney initiated a “radiator cap” procedure to save that bill and deliver a blow to the uber-left teachers’ union.
Our accountability mechanisms are rigorous, principled, and designed to honor those who uphold their commitment while holding others accountable. To the legislators who’ve signed the Pledge, we offer our deepest respect. Your public stand for Idaho’s values inspires us, and the Pledge empowers voters to see your faithfulness. The growing number of signers maintaining Good Standing is a testament to Idaho’s strength. To those who continue to refuse to join this coalition, your days in office are numbered. With Dr. Samuel T. Lair on board as Director of Legislative Strategy and Affairs, Citizens Alliance of Idaho just unleashed a weapon that promises to put our Founders’ visions and first principles into practice. It will be Pledge Signers together who will build an Idaho that shines as a model of liberty, one step at a time. We ride together.
The number of Pledge Signers listed as entering the Jan 2027 session may change as new signers come aboard. Encourage your legislator to join this growing coalition today!