COEUR d’ALENE — As he spoke in front of tall glass windows that offered views of Lake Coeur d’Alene, Steve Yates said he was deeply honored to compete with such a beautiful backdrop.

“You can all easily pretend you’re enthralled,” Yates, chairman of the Idaho Republican Party, told about 150 people with a chuckle on one of the first sunny days of the year.

Yates, as well as other Republican officials, spoke during the North Idaho Political Action Committee fundraiser luncheon Saturday afternoon at the Hagadone Events Center in Coeur d’Alene. Sandy Patano, chair of NIPAC, told The Press the group typically hosts a fundraiser each year in an effort to keep people engaged in the political process throughout the year.

“We’re just constantly trying to raise that level of awareness so even more people get involved and become active participants,” Patano added. “We want people to know that, at every level of government, they have something to offer that’s needed.”

Yates provided attendees with a message that the landscape of the Republican Party in Idaho has changed since 2014. In particular, Yates spoke of getting the party back to the basics in its campaigning and messaging.

“There’s a lot more buy in now,” Yates added. “We must do the fundamentals if we want the luxury of advocating for the good ideas we all have.”

Moving forward, Yates said, will require that the Republican Party in Idaho deliver results and get things done. But he added that, with the support of people like those in attendance, the party is poised for success in 2018 and beyond.

“You invested in the values and you invested in the work,” Yates said. “Thank you so much.”

Lt. Governor Brad Little, who recently announced he will be running for governor in 2018, told attendees there is significant political change taking place across the country. Times are exciting in Idaho as well, Little added, and it is important for the state to be involved in what’s happening on the national stage.

When the entire country was hit by recession more than eight years ago, Little said Idaho politicians “rolled up their sleeves” and got to work. Now, Little said Idaho leads the nation in job growth and is the best place, by “many classifications,” to start a small business.

“Today, we are the masters of our own destiny,” Little said. “Why? Because of people like you.”

Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene, began his remarks by thanking NIPAC for its support during his successful campaign to unseat an incumbent representative during the primaries on his way to a first term in the legislature. Amador said it was a unique experience serving in Boise for the first time, and added that the upcoming birth of his first child has solidified why he ran in the first place.

“I truly believe we have the fundamental responsibility to build a better state, better economy, and better public education system for our children,” Amador said.

Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, began his remarks by commenting on just how long it has been since North Idaho had seen the sun.

“And as we look at the sunshine today, I can’t help but think ‘What’s wrong with all of you,’” Malek added, garnering a chorus of laughter from the crowd.

Malek echoed the sentiments of Yates, stressing that what Idaho Republicans do is of “extreme importance.” Now that Republicans are in control of government at both state and federal levels, Malek said it’s time to act.

“The success we’ve had is a testament to the work of the party,” Malek said. “But it’s also a message from those who elected us that they want us to put forth an effort to make the lives of people in Idaho better.”