Gov. Little issues statement after McGeachin participates in white nationalist conference

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Tuesday released a statement -- days after his lieutenant governor -- Janice McGeachin participated in a taped white nationalist conference in Florida.

Some had called for Little to condemn McGeachin's participation.

"It is extremely unfortunate anyone in elected office in Idaho must make statements like these, but let me be clear – I fully reject racism in all its forms," Little said on social media. "There is no place for racism and hate in the great State of Idaho. As Governor, I will continue to stand up for Idahoans’ values and work to make our state the place where our children and grandchildren choose to stay."

The Idaho Republican Party, too, on Tuesday released a statement.

“White supremacy, antisemitism, bigotry, and neo-Nazism are reprehensible and have no place in the Idaho Republican Party," the party stated. "We always have and will continue to stand against these divisive ideologies. We are the Party of Lincoln which stands for individual liberty, inclusion, and diversity of thought. The promotion of hatred, bigotry, or the anti-American values of Russia is fundamentally incompatible with our shared conservative ideals and values.”

McGeachin previously released a statement about the attention her participation in the conference had been receiving and blamed the media.

"The media wants us to play a guilt-by-association game where conservatives (and only conservatives) are accused of believing everything ever said by anyone with whom they share a stage," she said. "Don't tell me what I believe. Listen to my words."

McGeachin continued on social media...

"Make no mistake, the relentless attacks against me and my character are attacks on all true conservatives in Idaho...I’m just standing in their way."