Jonathan Parker (politician) explained

Jonathan Parker
Office:Chair of the Idaho Republican Party
Term Start:July 2017
Term End:February 2019
Predecessor:Stephen J. Yates
Successor:Raúl Labrador
Party:Republican

Jonathan Parker is an American politician. He is a former Idaho Republican Party Chairman and Executive Director.

Early life and education

Parker grew up in Spokane, Washington. He attended Joel E Ferris High School. Parker graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in political science. He then pursued a master's degree in Pastoral Ministries at Rhema Bible College in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1]

Career and personal life

Parker was with the Idaho Water Users Association in the early 2000s.[2] He served as Congressman Bill Sali District Director in 2007.[3]

Parker was with the Boise office of the Holland and Hart law firm from July 2012[4] [5] to 2018, Parker served as the Idaho director of government affairs for firm.[6]

On December 19, 2019, an Ada County judge sentenced former Idaho Republican Party Chairman Jonathan Parker to 14 days in jail, 5 years of probation and 100 hours of community service after he pleaded guilty to stalking his estranged wife and unlawfully entering the home of a female colleague. [7] He was arrested again in 2021 for using methamphetamine, a violation of his probation. [8]

Political career

Parker served as campaign manager for Joe Stegner’s successful reelection campaign for the Idaho State Senate and in Norm Semanko's campaign for Idaho's 1st congressional district election, 2006.[9]

Parker served as campaign strategist to Bill Sali re election campaign.[10]

Parked served as senior advisor to Donna Jones election to Idaho state controller in 2006.

Parker served as the Chairman, National Committeeman, and Secretary[11] of the Idaho Young Republican Federation.[12]

Idaho Republican Party

In 2009, Parker was selected by Chairman Norm Semanko to serve as executive director.[13] During his tenure, the Idaho Republican Party had its most successful election year (2010) up until that time. All Republicans were reelected to Statewide office, Walt Minnick, Democratic Congressman in the Idaho's 1st congressional district, was defeated,[14] and Republicans won an additional five seats in the Idaho Legislature.[15] For his work Parker was elected to the Idaho GOP Hall of Fame.

Parker was elected Idaho Republican Party chairman on July 22, 2017.[16] Parker was elected to fill the position when Steve Yates, the former chairman, stepped down in April, 2017.[17] Parker was re elected with unanimous consent on June 29, 2018.[18] Parker resigned February 20, 2019, citing a need to spend more time as a father.[19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: State Chairman Jonathan Parker . GOP . en . 2017-12-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171115225732/https://gop.com/leaders/state-chairman-steve-yates-id . 2017-11-15 . dead .
  2. Cynthia Sewell, Staff. “It's Been a Spring Break Only Farmers and Skiers Can Love.”Idaho Statesman, The (Boise, ID), 2006, p. 01.
  3. Staff. “Briefs.” Idaho Statesman, The (Boise, ID), 2007, p. 02.
  4. News: Parker to leave Idaho GOP for lobbyist position at Holland & Hart. Spokesman.com. 2018-06-14. en.
  5. Cynthia Sewell, Csewell@idahostatesman.com. “Idaho GOP Director Joins Law Firm.”Idaho Statesman, The (Boise, ID), 2012.
  6. News: Idaho GOP elects former executive director Jonathan Parker as chairman. Spokesman.com. 2018-06-14. en.
  7. News: Former Idaho GOP chairman receives 14 days in jail, probation in stalking case. eastidahonews.com. 2023-07-03. en.
  8. News: Former Idaho GOP chairman arrested for meth use. idahopress.com. 2023-07-03. en.
  9. Web site: GOP chairman's strategy for 2018: Win more. Contributor. Chuck Malloy, Idaho Politics Weekly. idahopoliticsweekly.com. en-gb. 2018-06-14.
  10. News: Facing Democratic Wave, Idaho Rep. Uses Congressional Staff On Campaign. Walls. Seth Colter. 2008-11-15. Huffington Post. 2018-06-14. en-US.
  11. “Notable Neighbors.” Idaho Statesman, The (Boise, ID), 2010.
  12. Web site: State Chairman Jonathan Parker . GOP . en . 2017-12-12.
  13. News: Parker to leave Idaho GOP for lobbyist position at Holland & Hart. en. Spokesman.com. 2017-12-05.
  14. Web site: 2010 General Results statewide. 2017-12-05. sos.idaho.gov.
  15. Web site: 2010 General Results legislative. 2017-12-05. sos.idaho.gov.
  16. News: Following Yates' resignation, Idaho GOP names new state party chairman. idahostatesman.com. 2017-11-29. en.
  17. News: Idaho Republican Party Chairman Steve Yates to step down as party chair. release. Idaho Republican Party press. Idaho State Journal. 2017-12-12. en.
  18. News: Idaho GOP re-elects Parker as chairman; Kealey beats Rod Beck for party treasurer. Betsy. Posted by. Idaho Press. 2018-07-01. en.
  19. News: Idaho GOP Chairman Steps Down, New Acting Chair in Place. 2019-02-19. en.