For the second year in a row, the Republican Lincoln Day event made its return to Malad.  

The event was sponsored by the Republican Central Committee, and Chaired by Matt Wray, whose committee included Dave Colton, Karen Kerr, Paula Romrell, Jane Ann Ward, and Travis Whipple.  The night featured Idaho GOP Chair Dorothy Moon and 2nd District Congressman Chris Stewart from Utah.  The event was held on April 14, and was well-attended by many members of the public, as well as public figures.  Dinner was catered by the Iron Door Smokehouse.

The evening was opened by a flag ceremony from Boy Scout Troop 1776, as well as members of the NW Liberty Academy.  

Following the flag ceremony, Toni Werk of the Interfaith Council provided the invocation, which invited the spirit of goodwill and collegiality.  

David Teeples sang “Proud to be an American.”

Matt Wray, who emceed the event, read a selection of cowboy poetry to the audience, including “The Scent of the Sage,” a poem about his mission in Oklahoma and missing Idaho.  The poem was inspired by a sprig of sagebrush his mother had sent him while on his mission.  As he explained, “That smell is so unique to our part of the world.”   

Before the primary speakers for the evening, dinner was provided by the Iron Door Smokehouse, and served by the Boy Scouts and academy members.  Dinner featured spaghetti, salad, and dinner rolls, as well as a strawberry dessert. 

Proceeds from the evening, including the concurrent silent auction, will go to send members to state meetings and pay for media/advertising and other expenses incurred by the event, as well as the committee’s operational costs.

Following an introduction by Matt Wray, Idaho GOP Chairman Dorothy Moon briefly addressed the crowd.  Dorothy Moon was first elected to the Idaho State House of Representatives in 2016 to represent District 8B, which includes Boise, Custer, Gem, Lemhi and Valley Counties.  She was elected to serve in 2022 as chairman of State Republican party in a contest against Tom Luna.  In 2022 she lost an election against Phil McCrane to serve as Secretary of State.  

Moon recounted some of what she saw as successes of the Idaho Legislature over the last several years, including the recent bill restricting access to gender-confirming surgery for minors.  Moon also announced the appointment of a Hispanic outreach administrator.  “We have a crazy guy in the office,” Moon said.  “But make no mistake, I work for you, and your voices have to be heard.”  

Matt Wray introduced U.S. Congressman Chris Stewart from Utah as a representative of the event.  Stewart was then introduced by his brother-in-law Anton Jensen, who took the opportunity to poke some fun at his relative, but also sing his praises.

Chris Stewart, representing Utah’s Second Congressional District, began his remarks by noting “If you don’t like what I say, that’s okay because you can’t do anything about it.  You don’t get to vote for me.”  Stewart is primarily noted for his career in the Air Force, specifically piloting B-1 Bombers, and his extensive writing career.  His books Seven Miracles that Saved America and his series The Great and Terrible are bestsellers.  Stewart’s career in public speaking was evident, as he used a mix of self-deprecation, humor, and earnestness to captivate the crowd.

“What’s it like to be in congress?  Go home and bang your head against the wall and then go home and get yelled at,” Stewart said.  “They all tell you you’re a bad congressman—and that’s just my family.”  He recounted some of his experiences in Congress over the years, as well as a number of stories from his time in the Air Force.  

“It can certainly be frustrating,” he said. “One thing I can tell you is that the state legislatures are the people who are going to save our country, and Idaho has got to be one of those lights on the hill.  It has to be a place where people feel they can move, and safely put their kids in school.”

Stewart used the experience of a another pilot who had terrible luck.  “When I was flying the B-1 we had a guy named Vern.  He was 100% cursed.  Whenever there was a crisis you knew that Vern was involved.  There was only one time when the B-1 couldn’t get its landing gear down.  Who was the pilot? Vern.”  Stewart explained that he felt the country was currently being piloted by Vern, and needed to course correct.  

Stewart stayed afterward to answer questions from the audience, who was very engaged with the exchange.  

The event was a fundraiser for the Republican Central Committee.  Secretary Jane Ann Ward stated that “we were astounded by how much was raised.  The community really came out to support the event.  We’ve been very pleased by the feedback we’ve received from those who attended.”