Meet the IDP

Leadership

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.

Hayden Paulsen was elected to the Pocatello City Council in 2023. A Pocatello native and Century High School graduate, he earned a master’s in Strategy from Johns Hopkins University. Initially pursuing a career in the U.S. Foreign Service, he shifted his focus to local public service after the COVID-19 pandemic led him back to Idaho.

Motivated by the rise of extremism in Idaho politics, Paulsen became active in civic engagement, knocking on over 1,000 doors to connect with voters. His passion for his hometown led him to run for City Council, where he now champions city revitalization, transparency, expanded housing, and consideration for all residents. He is committed to making Pocatello a place where young people can build their futures.

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.

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.

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

Dakota grew up in Payette, where he developed a deep appreciation for Idaho’s tight-knit communities and natural landscapes. His journey with the Idaho Democratic Party began as a high school intern. Over the past decade, he has worked on various campaigns in Idaho and Colorado, gaining extensive experience in fundraising, campaign strategy, and party operations. Dakota holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in American history from Boise State University. An outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys hiking and fishing in Idaho’s backcountry. He lives in Boise with his wife, Phaeren Sharette.

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.

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.

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.

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