TIME TO HONOR YOUR FIDUCIARY DUTY!
An open letter to the Executive Board of the Idaho Republican Party:
We’re writing to you not just as fellow Republicans, but as watchdogs for the integrity of our party. Frankly, recent events should have your full attention; and if they don’t, we have to wonder what it’ll take.
First, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Dorothy Moon unilaterally fired Anthony Tirino, without any meaningful consultation or approval from the Executive Board. In response, Anthony let the party know he’d hired a lawyer. After the lawyer’s letter landed, Andrew Mickelsen did what any responsible board member would do, he asked Dorothy to call a meeting, pronto.
But instead of transparency, we got spin. Some of Dorothy’s supporters tried to argue that responding to litigation isn’t the same as initiating it. Newsflash: in the real world, if you’re dealing with lawyers, you’re in legal trouble, no matter how you slice it.
Now, after enough pressure to crack concrete, Dorothy has finally agreed, very reluctantly, to hold a meeting. But, surprise surprise, you have to show up in person. We can’t help but wonder if Dorothy will be first in line to reimburse herself for mileage. Stranger things have happened, right?
You didn’t just wake up one morning and accidentally land on the Executive Board. Many of you actually put yourself out there and ran for precinct committeeman; which, whether anyone told you or not, is a pretty big deal. When you won, you didn’t just get a fancy title; you became the voice for every Republican in your precinct (congrats, by the way).
Then, as if that wasn’t enough responsibility, you all got together and picked your county central committee: chair, committeeman, committeewoman, and youth committee person. And just in case anyone forgot, those four from every county make up the State Central Committee, the ultimate governing body of the Idaho Republican Party. Yes, that means you actually run the show.
You have a fiduciary responsibility; that’s a legal and ethical obligation, to act in the best interests of the Idaho Republican Party and its members, not just one person. This isn’t a social club; it’s an organization with real rules and real consequences. Your duties include:
Duty of Care: Show up, pay attention, review the facts, ask hard questions, and actually think about the future of the party. If you’re just here to rubber-stamp the Chair’s whims, you’re in the wrong meeting.
Duty of Loyalty: Do what’s best for the party; not yourself, not your friends, and definitely not Dorothy Moon. No favor-trading, no personal gain, and please, no looking the other way when things get sketchy.
Duty of Obedience: Follow the bylaws, follow the law, and focus on helping Republicans get elected. Rules aren’t “suggestions” for when it’s convenient.
And here’s the kicker: your fiduciary duty doesn’t magically disappear when the Chair goes rogue. If Dorothy Moon isn’t exercising her duties with care and transparency; and let’s be honest, the headlines and bank statements aren’t exactly confidence-inspiring, it’s not just your right, but your obligation, to step in.
Look, this isn’t legal advice, but here’s some friendly reality: you should probably get your own legal counsel. Seriously. If you ignore your fiduciary duties, you can be personally liable. That means your own wallet could be on the line, not just the party’s. If you think that sounds dramatic, just ask anyone who’s ever been named in a lawsuit.
We get it, it’s tempting to keep your head down and hope the storm blows over. But you answer to the party and its members; not to Dorothy, not to her inner circle, and not to anyone who tells you to “just trust the process.” We call on you, the Executive Board and State Central Committee, to do your job: hold Dorothy Moon accountable, demand she fulfills her duties, or take the steps necessary to remove her if she won’t.
Remember: neglecting your fiduciary duties isn’t just bad politics; it’s potentially disastrous for you and for the party. The future of the Idaho GOP is in your hands. Use them wisely.
Sincerely,
Party Watch