The Idaho Republican Party has hired Lindsay Hemmer, a consultant and marketing specialist previously based in Arizona, to the post of “victory director,” where she will work primarily on the congressional campaign of Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle.
“She’ll be our key contact with the 1st Congressional District race,” Idaho GOP executive director Jonathan Parker told IdahoReporter.com. Labrador is trying to defeat first-term Democrat Walt Minnick. Parker said the state GOP, not Labrador’s campaign, picked Hemmer, and that Labrador has the backing of Republicans. “The state party and the national party, we’re going to do everything we can to reclaim the 1st Congressional District for the Republican Party.” Labrador defeated Vaughn Ward in the May 25 primary. Ward had a sizable fundraising advantage over Labrador and received the support of national Republican organizations.
Hemmer has worked for the Arizona Republican Party and co-founded a communications company in Arizona. “I am honored to be chosen for this position and I am very excited to join the Idaho Republican Party in their efforts to ensure that Idaho remains the most Republican State in the Nation,” Hemmer said in a party news release.
Parker said Hemmer would also assist other Republican candidates in this year’s general election. The “victory director” title has been used by various state and national Republican Party organizations.
The new party staffer comes as Labrador’s campaign regroups after the primary victory. Labrador’s spokesman, Dennis Mansfield, told The Associated Press that he signed onto help through the primary election, but not the general election.