Post Falls man to lead Democrats

POST FALLS - Larry Kenck wants to bring political balance back to Idaho.

The Post Falls man was voted chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party on Saturday in Boise during the Frank and Bethine Church Gala fundraiser for the party.

"We are a community of people who want the brightest possible future for our children and the beautiful state of Idaho," Kenck said. "Together, we will make our communities stronger, we will keep our families whole, we will make Idaho a place where businesses and families prosper together."

Kenck replaces Larry Grant, who stepped down after two years in the position.

"When I was asked to run for chairman, I said that I would be honored to do that," said Kenck, adding that Grant encouraged him to serve.

Kenck, 64 and the party's first chairman from Kootenai County in at least a decade, said the IDP's biggest challenge will be job creation.

"Our party will focus on the economy and jobs, jobs, jobs," he said.

Kenck, a fourth-generation Post Falls native and longtime labor organizer, has been around the Democrat block.

He ran for the state Senate in 1996 and 1998 and has served as Kootenai County Democratic Party chairman.

Kenck founded the North Idaho Democracy Dinner, which is in its 12th consecutive year. He served on campaigns for Larry LaRocco and Dan Williams.

Kenck was a business agent with the Teamsters Union representing North Idaho and Eastern Washington and did political work and trainings for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters around the country.

He was spokesman for the Repeal Right to Work effort and worked as a member of the Idaho State AFL-CIO. He currently sits on the Idaho State Industrial Commission Advisory Board.

After retiring from the Teamsters, Kenck worked around the country as a field director and lobbyist with the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks both federally and in 38 states.

Jeanne Buell of Worley serves as vice chairwoman of the IDP.