For months, Idaho’s social media screamers have railed against out-of-state groups “meddling” in Gem State politics.
This weekend? Some of their allies are collaborating with a political nonprofit that’s not based in Idaho.
On Thursday, the Idaho Freedom Caucus posted a photo of Reps. Heather Scott, Elaine Price, and Sen. Tammy Nichols at a pro-life conference hosted by Live Action—an Arlington, Virginia–based group—at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. “Our Idaho Freedom Caucus members out and about at a great event! Live Action,” the caption read.
The irony? These same lawmakers are cozying up to an out-of-state organization while being aligned with online attack dogs who blast outsiders for even breathing in Idaho’s political air. Take a look:
It gets better. Idaho Family Policy Alliance President Blaine Conzatti, a lobbyist, is speaking at the event—just days after those same critics called all lobbyists “whores,” including pro-life, gun rights, and limited-government advocates.
Live Action pulled in $14 million in 2023 and, according to its own IRS filings, engaged in lobbying that year. The group reportedly covered travel and lodging for lawmakers attending its Lawmaker Summit this weekend. Four of the event’s five sponsors are based outside Idaho.
And yet… silence from the screamers. No outrage. No lectures. Nothing.
Why? Because this was never about opposing out-of-state groups. Many of the 62 bills the Freedom Caucus brags about were written by organizations based elsewhere. That’s politics.
The truth: this is about power—and protecting House Speaker Mike Moyle. Groups like the State Freedom Caucus Network and American Action Fund won’t fall in line, so they’re smeared as “out-of-state agitators.”
Even the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, a group that has largely stayed out of the faction war, was targeted recently by Rep. Scott for using an out-of-state vendor to handle administrative work. Why? Because the group’s president (and fellow Freedom Bro), Greg Pruett, won’t fall in line behind Moyle.
I’ve worked in political nonprofits my entire career. I’m intimately familiar with this sector. I can tell you that Idaho would be worse off without partnerships with outside groups. There is so much conservative policy expertise outside of the state, and we are lucky when those parties assist us as we make Idaho more and more conservative.
This year alone, the Foundation for Government Accountability, the Freedom Foundation out of Washington, and several school choice organizations helped pass strong conservative bills.
Even some bills passed off as homegrown were written by out-of-state experts and handed to state lawmakers to advance in the Idaho Capitol.
Do we really want to shut that down and let only IACI and the teachers union call the shots? Didn’t think so.
The selective outrage is transparent. If Moyle’s allies truly cared about keeping outsiders out, they wouldn’t boast about awards from national conservative groups like American Conservative Union or FGA. Nor would they attend fancy summits put on by Virginia-based policy and advocacy groups.
This is, and always has been, about protecting Moyle’s feelings and career. Nothing more.
(For the record, Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld and Rep. Kent Marmon are also attending the Live Action Summit. They don’t engage in the dishonest anti–out-of-state rhetoric, so I’m not lumping them in here.)