KCRCC Meeting Recap March 2026

Here’s a quick summary (with the help of AI to get it done QUICK) of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee meeting held on March 24, 2026:

🏛️ Overall Tone & Priorities

The meeting focused on fundraising success, legislative updates, internal governance issues, and upcoming political efforts, with some procedural disputes and debates over transparency and messaging.

💰 Financial Overview

• Strong financial position overall, bolstered by major fundraising:

  • Lincoln Day event grossed ~$363,000, with an estimated net over $200,000

• Treasurer reported:

  • Beginning balance: ~$209,000

  • Ending total funds: ~$147,369 (general)

  • Legal Defense Fund: ~$17,406

• Expenses included:

  • Legislative efforts, communications, events (Lincoln Day, Christmas), admin, and volunteer support

• Additional allocations:

  • $3,000 approved to support the Idaho Republican Party which come from 50% of the proceeds of the coins auctioned off at the Lincoln Day dinner. A motion was passed to send the other 50% of the proceeds to the state IDGOP party.

🏛️ Legislative Update (via Jamie Hass)

• Idaho legislative session is past the halfway point.

• Key issues:

  • Budget reductions are the biggest challenge

  • Immigration bills are stalling in the Senate

• Notable legislation discussed:

  • State personnel reductions (H836)

  • Housing (starter homes, ADUs, manufactured homes)

  • School policies (moment of silence, parental notification)

  • Criminal justice (no profit from crimes, human trafficking reporting)

  • Miscellaneous:

    • No vehicle registration stickers

    • Hunting designated as the state sport

    • Church disturbance protections

🎉 Lincoln Day Event (via Beverly Guenette & Rob Barrans)

• Described as “incredibly successful”

• Key highlights:

  • Dessert dash alone raised $22,175

  • Additional fundraising efforts (e.g., auctions)

• Motion passed to share a portion of proceeds ($3,000) with the state GOP

🗳️ Campaign & Voter Guide Controversy (via David Stoltz)

• Ongoing debate over:

  • Spending ~$98,000 on campaign-related efforts

  • Lack of transparency → discussion moved toward executive session

  • After executive session the ~$98,000 was approved without exact understanding of what it will be spent on.

• Tensions included:

  • Questions about who can participate in the voter guide

  • Decision to stop supporting the People’s Pen

  • Motion to postpone decisions until the executive session passed so topic was tabled until then

📢 Ballot Initiative (Abortion)

• Committee believes an abortion-related initiative is likely to succeed in gathering enough signatures to be put on the November general election ballot.

• Approved funding to spend additional ~3,300 to print “rack cards” for outreach (low-budget informational materials to be included in the door hanging bags.)

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Committee & Local Business

• Precinct Committeeman (PCT 316):

  • Paul Trouette appointed (41–14 vote)

• Logo Use Policy:

  • New rule passed: Candidates for PC cannot use the KCRCC logo in campaign materials

• Fair Budget:

  • Additional $1,000 approved due to rising costs to acquire fair booth and miscellaneous expenses.

📅 Events & Announcements

Upcoming political and community events include:

• Candlelight Christian Fellowship having Legislative Wrap Up on Friday, April 10 at 6pm.

• KCRCC having town hall at The Altar Church on Saturday, April 11 at 10am.

• KCRCC having a stuffing party later on Saturday, April 11.

• Republican Women Federated forum (April 2) Sign up on their website https://www.kcrwf.com/event

• North Idaho Pachyderms Friday, March 27 at 8am Speaker: John Padula running for County Commissioner

• Reagan Republicans Tuesday, March 31 at 12pm Speaker: John Green speaking about his time in the Idaho Legislature.

• Regional Lincoln Day events:

  • April 11 - Benewah County Lincoln Day dinner

  • April 18 - Clearwater County Lincoln Day dinner

  • April 25 - Shoshone County Lincoln Day dinner

⚖️ Other Notes

• Clarified that absences must be excused by the committee, not solely the chair

• Absence of Ryan Davis excused due to medical treatment

• Ballot samples expected to be available on the Kootenai County Elections page by end of next week

🧾 Key Takeaways

• The KCRCC is financially strong and highly active in fundraising

• Legislative engagement remains a major focus, especially around budget and social policy

• Internal divisions exist around spending transparency and campaign strategy

• The committee is actively preparing for upcoming elections and ballot initiatives