Precinct 52 Republicans: You're invited

COEUR d'ALENE - The noon Thursday luncheon calendar might get crowded next week for local Republicans.

Bjorn Handeen, Precinct No. 52 committeeman for the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, has scheduled what he hopes will become a recurring luncheon for that time and day of the week starting Jan. 30 at IHOP at 2301 N. Fourth St. in Coeur d'Alene.

However, the time and day overlap with the regular luncheons at Fedora Pub and Grille organized by the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans.

Handeen, 39, said he's not starting a new Republican group. But, whatever it is, it does have a name: Republican Party of Kootenai County, Precinct 52.

He also hopes it becomes authorized by the central committee.

"I'm starting it because there's a lot of disunity in the party," he said Friday. "I hope we can move beyond these unofficial groups that have been proliferating."

Among the so-called unofficial groups, he named the Reagan Republicans.

Handeen said the Reagan Republicans haven't been a welcoming group.

"Everyone is welcome to attend (Reagan Republican luncheons) and even Mr. Handeen has been warmly welcomed at our meetings in the past," said Jeff Ward, of the Reagan Republicans. "But I understand their attempt to subvert a group they are unable to control, unlike the central committee."

Ward said the Reagan Republicans believe in a broad-based conservative majority Republican Party.

Handeen said the Precinct 52 luncheon will welcome a variety of Republicans, providing a place and time they can come together to exchange ideas and collaborate.

Handeen is widely regarded as a so-called "Ron Pauler," who identifies with the views of now former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, a Texas Republican, and former presidential candidate.

"But he's retired," Handeen said. "So, in that sense, there's no such thing" as a Ron Pauler anymore.

The Press last reported about Handeen when he ran for election to the Coeur d'Alene school board, and when he sought an appointment to replace Kootenai County Clerk Cliff Hayes when Hayes died unexpectedly.

Handeen said there has been both positive and negative feedback on Precinct 52's planned luncheons.

He anticipates a decent turnout at the first one.

"I'm a little worried that we picked too small of a venue," he said.

Neil Oliver, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee chairman, is scheduled to be the first luncheon speaker for Precinct 52.

Oliver couldn't immediately be reached for comment Friday.

The Feb. 13 speaker is scheduled to be Jim Brannon, the new Kootenai County clerk, and Feb. 20 it is to be Bruce Maddux, Republican Party Precinct No. 12 committeeman.