Hundreds Attend Sen. Zuiderveld’s ‘Backyard Bash’ for Guest Speaker Sheriff Richard Mack and Q & A Session

By Greg Pruett • September 30, 2024

Senator Glenneda Zuiderveld (R-Twin Falls) held her third annual “Backyard Bash” last Friday with hundreds of attendees for a Question and Answer session and remarks from guest Speaker Sheriff Richard Mack.

Zuiderveld told the crowd the annual event is part of her husband’s vision. The main goal is to bring their community together, the Zuiderveld’s say. While Idaho Dispatch did not do a crowd count for the event, one of Zuiderveld’s sons said they had guided 200 vehicles to the pasture for parking and that many other cars were parked in front of the house and along the street.

Some of the attendees included Republican lawmakers such as Steve Miller (Fairfield), Rep. Doug Pickett (Oakley), and House Speaker Mike Moyle (Star). Republican legislative candidates Kent Marmon, Lucas Cayler, Faye Thompson, Steve Tanner, Clint Hostetler, Josh Kohl, and David Leavitt were also in attendance. Many of these legislative candidates have Democrat candidates in November but are in races that are not historically competitive.

While attendees were fed and listened to music, Zuiderveld said one of the main things she wanted to do this year was allow constituents to ask questions of her and other potential future lawmakers who were also in attendance. She said people often feel they do not have a real voice with lawmakers and never get to ask the questions they want.

Kohl, Leavitt, and Hostetler joined Zuiderveld on her porch, which served as the stage for the event, to answer questions from the crowd. Some of the topics of the questions included illegal immigration, taxes, life at conception, school choice, and more.

Idaho Dispatch also asked about the Leads Online program, a story originating in the Twin Falls area, and its current status after Zuiderveld asked Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador’s office to investigate the issue. Zuiderveld responded, saying she believes an investigator from the AG’s office was in Twin Falls recently to look into the program and how it was being used in Twin Falls.

Mack, who was a sheriff in Arizona and served as a lobbyist for Gun Owners of America founded the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officer’s Association. He travels the country to give speeches about constitutional issues.

Idaho Dispatch had the opportunity to interview Zuiderveld about her event before it started. You can watch the interview below. (Due to technical difficulties, the interview is not on Rumble and YouTube at this time.)

https://www.facebook.com/idahodispatch/videos/2002112563581750