Leadership
IDP CHAIR
Rep. Lauren Necochea
Rep. Lauren Necochea is chair of the Idaho Democratic Party and represents District 19 in the Idaho Legislature. Rep. Necochea spent a decade leading nonprofit programs dedicated to research and advocacy in tax policy, health care, and children’s issues. She sat on the steering committee for Idahoans for Healthcare, the ballot initiative campaign that successfully expanded Medicaid in Idaho.
Rep. Necochea previously oversaw and evaluated projects addressing children’s safety and health hazards for the Baltimore City Health Department. Rep. Necochea earned her Masters in Public Affairs at Princeton University and a B.A. in Economics from Pomona College. She was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to study micro-finance in Peru.
TREASURER
Nan Cluss
Nan’s versatile work life culminated with a 16-year position as manager of a non-profit association with 1300+ members throughout the Pacific Northwest. Responsibilities of that role included handling all financial day-to-day aspects of the organization, budget development and oversight, and preparing monthly reports for the 12-member board. As an Idaho Democrat, Nan has served as secretary of the Twin Falls County Dems, as Hansen precinct captain, and as a legislative district chair in the area. She has been a member of the IDP Finance and Compliance Committee since 2021.
1ST VICE CHAIR
Evan Koch
Evan Koch is from a family of Baltimore Democrats. He knocked on doors for JFK with his Dad. Evan practices anesthesia as a nurse anesthetist and is married to Loree Peery, an Idaho native. They raised two children, Taylor & Andy, and then moved to Spirit Lake in 2006 to live closer to the Peery family.
Barack Obama’s entry into politics inspired Evan to have greater involvement with Democrats. Donald Trump’s entry lit a fire that prompted his run for county chair and then state-wide involvement Evan knows that Democrats face an uphill battle in Idaho, but relishes that challenge.
2ND VICE CHAIR
Elle Casner
Elle is a third-generation Idahoan from Boise. After graduating from Boise State University in 2013 with degrees in Accounting and Finance Elle began working in Idaho Democratic politics. Elle has since worked on numerous campaigns at every level and spent 6 years working for the Idaho Democratic Party, including 3 years as Executive Director. She also volunteers as a Precinct Captain and District Chair for District 19 and serves as the current 2nd Vice Chair for the Idaho Democratic Party. Elle currently lives in Boise and works as a Democratic political consultant.
SECRETARY
Carol Richel
Carol is a life-long Idahoan and has been actively involved in Democratic Party politics for more than 40 years, including serving two terms on the Lewiston City Council. She retired from Social Work in 2017 and moved to Eagle where she because a Precinct Captain and District Chair. In addition to serving as the Chair of District 14 and working on numerous campaigns, Carol is the secretary of both the Ada County Democrats and the state party. She has a passion for community organizing and enjoys traveling, hiking, and bicycling with her husband. She has two adult children, two grandsons, and the world’s cutest dog.
IDP Staff
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jared DeLoof
Jared DeLoof is a native of Central Pennsylvania where he got his organizing start with rural voters in red counties. He has spent the last 15 years working to grow the Democratic Party in the places that need it most. Most recently he was the National States Program Director for NextGen America where he focused on registering and turning our voters 18-35. He lives in Boise and enjoys camping, hiking, and skiing on Idaho’s public lands.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE
Dakota Sharette
Dakota is the Director of Development and Finance for the Idaho Democratic Party. He was raised in Payette but moved to Boise to attend Boise State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Dakota is committed to building strength for the Idaho Democratic Party through fundraising and financial planning and has served in his current role since 2019. In his free time, Dakota enjoys hiking, fly fishing, snowboarding, and reading the news.
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Avery Roberts
Avery is passionate about sharing Democratic values. Named after a small community nestled in the St. Joe River Valley, she is a lifelong Idahoan. Avery became involved in politics when she served as a campaign manager for a state legislative race in competitive West Boise. Since then, she has dedicated her professional career to engaging and working with Idahoans to bring about positive change in our state. Avery lives in Boise with her elderly cat Ruth Bader Kittensburg. In her free time, she enjoys playing softball, restoring vintage furniture, and getting outside.
POLITICAL DIRECTOR
Anthony Porto
Anthony, over the last 5 years, has worked in politics across the country. A Metro Detroit native he moved around the country joining campaigns and initiatives from Iowa to Arizona leading outreach and volunteer recruitment. More recently he worked in Canyon County building up Democratic support and infrastructure. At IDP, Anthony has focused on getting all 44 counties organized for the first time in the state party’s history and engaging young people in rural areas and on college campuses. In his free time, he is an avid history reader, hiker, and traveler.
FINANCE COORDINATOR
Katie Meyer
Katie was born and raised in Boise and graduated from Boise State with a degree in political science in the spring of 2023. She started working at the Idaho Democratic Party as an intern and became passionate about raising funds to help Idaho prosper. Katie plans to attend law school in the near future and hopes to one day sit on the United States Supreme Court. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer and thrifting.
PROJECT MANAGER
Brook Kelley
Brook, an Eagle resident, is a student at Boise State University. She studies political science and English and is expected to graduate in 2025. Brook works as an intern in the fundraising department and helps with auctions. She plans to attend graduate school and then law school in the future. In her spare time, Brook enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time with friends and family.
Executive Committee
Secretary
Carol Richel
National Committeewoman
Terri Pickens
National Committeeman
David Roth
Region 1 Representative
Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone
Kathy Judson
Region 2 Representative
Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce
Archie George
Region 3 Representative
Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington
Linda Strain
Region 4 Representative (CD1)
Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley
Bill Thomas
Region 4 Representative (CD2)
Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley
Erik Berg
Region 5 Representative
Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls
Bev Robinson
Region 6 Representative
Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Power
Tracie Roberts
Region 7 Representative
Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton
Janice Brown