Reagan Republicans announce endorsements
Editor's note: This is the complete, unedited press announcement sent out by the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans a short time ago. The Press published Balance North Idaho PAC's endorsement press release similarly last week.
The Kootenai County Reagan Republicans officially announced endorsements today for six candidates in the November 5th Municipal Elections. The organization’s President Jeff Tyler said “The choices in this election have never been so clear cut and who to endorse has never been so obvious since KCRR began making endorsements four years ago. Considering the liberal-conservative divide in this community, our endorsements may come as no surprise.”
Tyler explained KCRR looked for qualified candidates who shared Ronald Reagan’s conservative stances of freedom, liberty, smaller government and traditional American values on major issues with KCRR and the majority of residents in each respective city. Tyler contended these are the values of two-thirds of our community who did not vote for President Obama.
In Coeur d’Alene, KCRR sought to endorse candidates who support the public’s right to vote on issues like McEuen Field, support holding accountable the elected officials who arrogantly denied that vote, believe city top salaries are excessive, and oppose the new special rights ordinance, widely believed to be a public relations stunt that ignored citizens’ First Amendment and property rights in creating a new protected class of citizens. “In Coeur d’Alene we have endorsed four great candidates who share those views and are the only candidates in their races who proudly share the Reagan Republicans conservative values and publically profess them by being registered Republicans,” Tyler explained.
In Post Falls, KCRR sought to endorse fiscal conservatives who have, and will continue, to hold the line on taxes. Tyler explained, “After years of explosive growth, Post Falls needs leadership that will spur economic growth and a major part of creating good jobs is holding the line on taxes, not just in election years but every year. Our endorsed candidates are Republicans and fiscal conservatives with great track records on opposing tax increases.”
The conservative organization’s Board of Directors unanimously recommended the following for election:
Coeur d’Alene Mayor: Mary Souza
Coeur d’Alene City Council #2: Chris Fillios
Coeur d’Alene City Council #4: Sharon Hebert
Coeur d’Alene City Council #6: Noel Adam
Post Falls Mayor: Kerri Thoreson
Post Falls City Council #2: Barry Rubin
The Kootenai County Reagan Republicans (KCRR) is one of largest Republican member organization in Idaho and has innumerable supporters and friends in North Idaho. KCRR endorsements are made by an elected 15 member Board of Directors who come from all parts of Kootenai County including multiple members from Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, and Hayden. Candidates must receive a 2/3rd vote from the KCRR board before they obtain the endorsement. This year all endorsements were the result of unanimous votes.
KCRR (unlike liberal PAC Balance North Idaho) is not a political action committee with no members and a tiny self-selecting board. KCRR represents its many members and Republicans at large in Kootenai County with an large elected board and public input. Tyler explained “Reagan Republicans is open, active, and ongoing member organization not a small collection of wealthy and powerful political donors seeking to exert their influence on local government with a Progressive agenda.”
KCRR has been highly successful in helping elect their endorsed candidates. In the last municipal election in November 2011, KCRR endorsed candidates won 7 out of 7 races.
The Kootenai County Reagan Republicans organization endorses candidates in primaries and non-partisan races in order to inform its members and all voters of candidates that share the conservative values of the Republican Party and the club’s namesake, President Ronald Reagan. The Kootenai County Reagan Republicans was founded in 2009 as an association of Republican activists in North Idaho. Tyler, a former candidate for public office himself closed with “I would like to thank all candidates for their willingness to step up and make the sacrifices needed in committing to a run for office.”