BETHINE CHURCH LEADS IDAHO DEMOCRATS FOR JOHN KERRY
 
BOISE, ID. After stunning wins in Iowa and New Hampshire and increased momentum nationwide, presidential candidate John Kerry today announced his Idaho steering committee, including the addition of Bethine Church, wife of former U.S. Senator Frank Church, as the committee’s co-chair.

“I am so pleased to support John Kerry for President,” said Mrs. Church.  “He has the experience, judgment and maturity to lead this country from his first day in office.  His experience in the military and on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will serve us well in the country and the world.”  Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since he became a U.S. Senator in 1985.  Church’s late husband, Senator Frank Church, was Chairman of the same Committee in the late 70’s.

Comprised of twenty-five individuals from across Idaho, the steering committee represents the broad range of support Senator Kerry has garnered for his campaign in Idaho.  The Committee includes Church and co-chair Alan Blinken (Ketchum), as well as the following new members:  State Senator Bert Marley (McCammon), State Senator Fred Kennedy (Mountain Home), State Rep. Mike Naccarato (Lewiston), ISU professor Doug Nilson (Pocatello), Idaho Democratic Women’s Caucus President Sharon Van Slyke (Canyon County), Organized Labor leader Harry Guezlow (Rigby), Idaho Professional Firefighters President Dennis Doan (Meridian) and firefighter Karl Malott (Nampa).

The steering committee plans to work together to organize and increase the visibility of the Kerry campaign in Idaho leading up to the Idaho Democratic Presidential caucuses to be held in each Idaho County on the evening of February 24th.

(A complete list of the Idaho Steering Committee is attached.)

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Kerry for President Idaho Steering Committee

Bethine Church (Boise) Co-Chair
Ambassador Alan Blinken (Ketchum) Co-Chair
Melinda Blinken (Ketchum) Activist
Dennis Doan (Meridian) PFFI President
John Greenfield (Boise) Attorney
Harry Guelzow (Rigby) Retired United Transportation Union Member
Ryan Hill (Coeur d'Alene) Marketing Executive
Representative Wendy Jaquet (Ketchum) Minority Leader, State House
Rick Johnson  (Boise) Executive Director, Idaho Conservation League
Mike Kennedy (Hayden) Businessman
Senator Edgar Malepeai (Pocatello) Idaho Democratic Party Vice-Chair
Karl Malott (Nampa) PFFI 2nd District Vice-Chair
Senator Bert Marley (McCammon) State Senator, teacher
AK Minnick (Boise) Former State Democratic Party Chair
Walt Minnick (Boise) Businessman
Mike Naccarato (Lewiston) State Representative
Doug Nilson (Pocatello) ISU Professor
Esther Oppenheimer (Boise) Community Leader
Skip Oppenheimer (Boise) President, Oppenheimer Company
Hon. Mary Lou Reed (Coeur d'Alene) Former State Senator
Senator Clint Stennett (Ketchum) Minority Leader, State Senate
John Tait (Lewiston) Attorney
Sharon VanSlyke (Wilder) Idaho Democratic Women’s Caucus President
Dan Williams (Boise) Attorney
Darci Yarrington  (Boise) Executive Director, Voters for Outdoor Idaho

*Organizations listed for Identification Purposes Only