BOISE -- Idaho Republican Party Chairman Norm Semanko won't run for another four-year term, marking the end of his tenure that included the closing of the GOP primary and this week's redistricting turmoil.
Semanko said Friday he'll hand over leadership of Idaho's dominant political party this summer at the GOP convention in Twin Falls.
Writing in a newspaper editorial, Semanko sought to clarify why he tried to fire Randy Hansen, his appointee to the redistricting commission that agreed to new maps Friday.
Semanko says he'd yielded to pressure from party loyalists who felt Hansen helped gerrymander the previous maps, in a bid to protect special interests.
The 44-year-old lawyer also disputed suggestions his leadership could result in Idaho Republicans losing influence, a charge levied by former GOP Gov. Phil Batt this week.
