BOISE -- One of former U.S. Rep. Bill Sali's former aides has landed on his feet at the Idaho Republican Party.

Jonathan Parker, a district director and a campaign worker for Sali before the one-term GOP Congressman lost in November to Democrat Walt Minnick, is taking over as executive director of the state party.

Parker, who is also Young Republican state chairman, replaces former executive director Sid Smith, who took a job with new U.S. Sen. Jim Risch to run his Coeur d'Alene office.

Norm Semanko, the chairman of the state GOP, said on a party Web site that Parker started his new post on Monday and "will do a great job working with all Idaho Republicans."