OPINION: On The Horizon: NIR endorsements will put community first

Local control is not just a catch phrase; it’s the foundation of how communities thrive. That truth is echoed in the Idaho Republican Party Platform: “We believe the most effective, responsible, responsive government is the government closest to the people, and the sovereignty of the state must be protected. That government is best that governs least.”

North Idaho Republicans support this core Conservative principle.

This fall, voters across Kootenai County will again head to the polls for city and school board elections. These are officially nonpartisan races, and we wish they could stay that way. North Idaho Republicans (NIR) would rather not be in the business of endorsements here. But the reality is simple: political conditions in Kootenai County require it.

We’ve all seen what happens when politics turns into a culture war. North Idaho College is the clearest example. Partisan power plays put accreditation and jobs at risk, threatening an institution that serves thousands of students and supports $64 Million in the regional economy. Voters understood what was at stake when NIR stood up to protect our college, our schools, and even our fire departments and first responders.

Kootenai County is a conservative community. That’s not in dispute. What is at issue is whether our local races stay about service — or get hijacked by outside agendas that divide neighbors and weaken our local institutions. Some Republicans say no to everything, looking for ways to tear down. North Idaho Republicans believe in something better — the North Idaho Way.

The North Idaho Way means looking out for one another while honoring freedom. It means making sure schools, roads, and services keep pace with growth — so they remain accessible for everyone who calls this place home. It means recognizing that each community in Kootenai County is unique, with its own challenges and strengths.

We don’t just talk about community — we act on it.

NIR was instrumental in the community effort to save North Idaho College.

NIR endorsed school board trustees when it was wise and prudent.

NIR supported fire bond levies and proudly stood with our firefighters when it mattered.

Each time, voters saw what we are about: protecting schools, strengthening services, and keeping Kootenai County strong.

And we don’t do this from the sidelines. NIR has volunteers in every precinct. We are former elected leaders, current leaders, and business owners. We live here, work here, and raise our families here. We play here, and we want this to continue to be a destination community. That’s why we step up — because the future of Kootenai County matters to us.

We do this proudly, standing on core Republican principles. Our work is guided by the conviction that local government should reflect the people it serves. That’s why, even though we would prefer to stay out of nonpartisan elections, we cannot ignore what’s happening. Outside agendas are trying to reshape our communities. The best answer is steady, responsible leadership rooted in service.

So here’s what you can expect in the coming weeks: North Idaho Republicans will announce our endorsements for the November ballot. Voters in Post Falls, Rathdrum, Hayden, and Coeur d’Alene can expect to hear directly from us about the issues facing their communities. We truly believe voters in Coeur d’Alene face different challenges than those in Rathdrum, and our endorsements will reflect what is actually on the ballot in each city and school district.

As part of this process, NIR is seeking feedback from every candidate on their qualifications and vision for service. We are also seeking input from many in our community, relying on our membership and volunteers across every precinct. These endorsements are not handed down — they are built from the ground up, reflecting the voices of those who live here, work here, and raise their families here.

Since our founding in 2022, NIR has built a record of success because more Republicans — along with neighbors who share our values — see that we are conservative, committed to freedom, grounded in responsibility, and focused on building strong communities. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach for Kootenai County. Voters deserve to know who the serious candidates are — the ones who will help us thrive instead of let us down, as happened at NIC.

At the end of the day, it comes down to this: our government works best when it is closest to the people. That’s why we step forward — not to divide our communities with slogans, but to preserve the principles that make North Idaho strong: freedom, responsibility, and local control.

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Jim Pierce is a founding member of North Idaho Republicans, a former Vice Chair of the Idaho Republican Party, and past Chairman of Kootenai County Legislative District 4.