You’re Not Invited!

Who is Christa Hazel? Why was I asked to leave?

On November 29th, while I was getting my hair cut, I received a text inviting me to an event where guest speaker Christa Hazel would speak on the America First Movement. The event was scheduled for that evening at 6 pm at the Twin Falls Farm Bureau office. Since I was in town, I thought I would stop by and see what I could learn.

As I walked in, I saw the usual Republican members I see at most events. There was LD 24 Chair Gretchen Cleland, LD 26 Chair Laurie Lickley, Twin Falls Republican Central Committee Chair Suzy Hawkins, Jerome County Republican Central Committee Chair Nic Wittman, Vice Chair of the Gooding County Republican Central Committee Mike Elliot, and other precinct committee members present, including Andrew Mix and Larry Hollifield, the Farm Bureau President of Twin Falls who organized it. Also present were Tom Wangeman, former House Representative Clark Kauffman and Debbie Kauffman, House Representative Chenelle Dixon and Mike Dixon, Mike Matthew who is U.S. Senator Risch’s area representative, and Samantha Marshall, who is U.S. Senator Crapo’s area representative. Additionally, CSI President Dean Fisher and Twin Falls Superintendent Brady Dickenson were in attendance.

It is always a bit awkward attending these events because I know I am merely tolerated, so I didn’t pay much attention to the awkward looks. I walked over to talk with Suzy Hawkins, who is always approachable since we both graduated from Jerome High School in the '80s. After making small talk, I sat down next to my husband, Tom, waiting for the speaker to begin, when Larry Hollifield approached me and told me, "This is an invite-only event, and you are not invited." Sitting there, looking up at him, I thought he was being sarcastic. Then I realized he was serious, so I asked him why and if it was a secret meeting, to which he replied, yes. I then asked if this was hosted by the Farm Bureau, and he told me no. At this point, I proceeded to leave and made a Facebook Live video right outside the doors, which received immediate responses from many people who knew who Christa Hazel was. As I learned more about her, I must say I was surprised, yet not surprised, that they had her as a guest speaker. I will include all the information sent to me below, so you can form your own opinions.

I later called Suzy Hawkins to ask what was discussed, but she said she couldn't share as she had sworn confidentiality. She told me that it wasn't a Republican event, even though many Republicans who hold chairmanships in three different counties were there. The lack of transparency and the secretive nature of the meeting, the speaker, and the presence of elected precinct members and officials who were invited and allowed to stay, causes me to question the motivation and agenda. Maybe you the people will have better luck at finding out what was so secret.

I will continue to show up where invited, I will not be intimidated to silence and I will expose corruption where ever it reveals itself.