Prominent Republican leader Blake Hall is barred for a year from approaching the 37-year-old woman under a protection order issued by an Idaho Falls judge.

Seventh District Judge Penny Stanford's order prohibits Hall, 56, from going within 900 feet of the woman or her residence. A temporary order was issued at the woman's request Sept. 1. Stanford extended the order after a closed hearing Wednesday.

The order says Hall "represents an immediate and present danger of domestic violence" to the woman. Hall, who divorced in 2007 after a 33-year-marriage, is barred from contacting the woman by direct or indirect means. The Idaho Statesman is not naming the woman because the judge says she is a potential victim.

Hall is one of three Idahoans on the Republican National Committee and has been a major political force since becoming Idaho GOP chairman from 1985 to 1989. Hall did not respond to requests for comment.

"This is a personal, legal matter and we don't have a comment at this time," said Jonathan Parker, executive director of the Idaho GOP. The Republican National Committee did not respond to a request for comment.

Police are investigating the underlying circumstances that prompted the order. Idaho Falls police Sgt. Phil Grimes said Thursday that the department hopes to finish its investigation soon. "As far as our investigation looks right now, anything he would be charged with would be a misdemeanor," Grimes said.

Hall is employed by Bonneville County Prosecutor Dane Watkins Jr. as chief civil deputy, a job he's held since 1983 that earns him about $60,000 a year. Hall also has a private law practice that includes lobbying for the cleanup contractor at the Idaho National Lab and legal work for the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program and the state Catastrophic Health Care Program. His work for government agencies brings his firm about $600,000 annually.

Hall has been Idaho's national committeeman since 1990 and is second in longevity on the 148-member RNC. Earlier this year, he resigned as the national party's general counsel.

He also recently resigned after nine years from the Idaho State Board of Education, which sets statewide education policy.

Hall and his ex-wife, Laurel, divorced in 2007, after a fifth divorce filing. After one filing in August 1994, Laurel Hall told sheriff's deputies her husband struck her while she was at work in the office of then-Rep. Mike Crapo. She recanted three days later, according to a sheriff's report. No charges were filed, and the couple reconciled.

Dan Popkey: 377-6438