Over the last few months, I had the honor of attending nearly thirty Lincoln Day events across the State. As I talked with Republicans from every corner of Idaho, I was reminded again and again of what makes us all Republicans. 

We are in the midst of a season of competition, with candidates competing to be our nominees for many different offices. While each individual candidate is trying to differentiate themselves from one another, it is important to reflect on what unites us as Republicans . We are part of this party because we believe in our Republican values. These values are the base behind why we fight for freedom in Idaho, and we lose our way when we lose our why. 

The Preamble to the Idaho Republican Platform enumerates these values, and is, in my opinion, one of the finest pieces of political writing.  Over the next few weeks, I would like to look deeper into these values and focus on the core principles that unite us as Republicans. 

"We believe the strength of our nation lies with our faith and reliance on God our Creator, the individual, and the family, and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored." --Preamble, Idaho Republican Platform

We are proud to be a party whose core statement of beliefs begins, first, with a statement of faith and humility before God. It is an important reminder to all of us that there is a higher power to which we are ultimately accountable.

The themes of faith, family, and freedom are an integral part of our party's platform. In fact, these values are the theme we chose for the 2016 IDGOP Convention, because they are the values that unite us as Republicans, and are shared by the vast majority of Idahoans. 

With such strong support for these shared values, is is no surprise that Idahoans have continued to elect Republicans to lead our state.

We are the party that begins our meetings with a meaningful prayer and a meaningful pledge. For us, it is not controversial to acknowledge where our rights come from: our Creator. We won't hesitate to defend those freedoms when they are attacked. Republicans in Idaho have made it clear: we will defend religious freedom, and will continue to support candidates that uphold this inalienable right.

Unlike Democrats - who in their last national convention rejected any recognition of these values when they booed even the mere mention of a creator in their party platform - we are not ashamed to display these values. The Republican Party is an inclusive party, open to all belief systems, but we stand united against the idea that our rights come from the Church of Government.

Idaho Republicans also celebrate the positive outcomes that promoting the family unit has on society. Over the last eight years under President Obama, it's been families that have felt the brunt of increased taxes, health care costs, and the rising cost of doing business. As an essential consumer group and a driver of Idaho's economy, we must ensure that families have an advocate in government.

Institutions of faith and family are fundamental to preserving freedom and the sustainability of limited government. By highlighting the role of the family in our party, we are making a promise to Idaho's families that we intend to keep: whether it's onerous taxation, ever-increasing federal mandates, or infringement on the religious freedom of a family-owned business, we will fight for your family.

Why do these values matter? Because they matter to Idahoans and their families. We entrust our elected officials with the job of representing our values - and defending them - whether it's in Boise or Washington DC.

In 2016, your values will be on the ballot. Democrats have already made it clear: their candidates do not share these values.