MCCAMMON - Jim Guthrie believes that given the national financial crisis, now is the perfect time for the Republican Party to deliver its message of fiscal conservatism.
The newly selected chairman of the Bannock County Republicans said while the party has suffered setbacks in recent years, he thinks the tide is turning - especially locally. The Republicans took control of the Bannock County Commission last November with the election of Karl Anderson, and incumbent State Rep. Ken Andrus, of Lava Hot Springs, was re-elected to his seat.
Guthrie, who began his tenure as chairman last month, said the party's future success will require teamwork.
"We're going to approach it from the concept that it will take a lot of people doing a little bit rather than a few people doing a whole bunch," Guthrie said.
Guthrie, a former Bannock County commissioner from 2001-2007, replaces Leslie Romriell as the head of the party.
Romriell, of Pocatello, served in the position for a year. She nominated Guthrie for the job because she thinks he's the right person at the right time.
She said that after the 2006 election, Republicans were feeling "pretty beaten down."
"We are now on the mend and feeling more energized," she said.
Guthrie said he is still in the early stages of organizing the party. His goals are to work on a Web site and to recruit and develop future political candidates.
"We think a conservative approach in government never goes out of style, and we think we have a good message," he said.
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