Meet WITH State and Local Candidates
There are candidates who are running for statewide office who will be visiting Coeur d’Alene next weekend and we are excited to welcome them. They are Shelby Rognstad, Terri Pickens-Manweiler, David Roth, and Tom Stroshein. They will join local candidates Teresa Borrenpohl, Larry Bieber, Shawn Keenan, and Megan Dardis-Kunz, at various social and campaign events in our area.
There are four opportunities to meet with these candidates. So, plan to attend.
Reception for Precinct Captains and Candidates
Friday, April 22 at 6:30 PM
Coeur d’Alene Conservatory of Music
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 23 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
at the Coeur d’Alene Library
Corn Hole Tournament Fundraiser
Saturday, April 23 from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM
at The Filling Station in Post Falls
Local Union Workers Memorial Gathering
Thursday, April 28 at 6:00 PM
Coeur d’Alene City Park
Central Committee Meeting and County Caucus
The Idaho Democratic Party holds its quadrennial convention from June 17-18 in Boise. Accordingly, the Kootenai County Democrats are authorized to send thirty-four delegates to represent us. As a registered Democrat, you can stand for consideration to be one of these delegates. The County Caucus occurs during the monthly Central Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 20. I urge anyone who is the least bit interested to put your name forward. Just fill out an online declaration form. As an alternative, you can declare your intention by notifying the Idaho Democrats’ Operations and Training Director Morgan Hines at Morgan@idahodems.org.
Good luck, and thanks for serving Idaho Democrats.
Dealing with Republican Dirty Tricks
As you surely know by now, the situation in the Kootenai County Republican Party is dreadful. A faction of far-right radicals controls its’ central committee and seems willing to employ extreme measures to eliminate all opposition. Based on the evidence, imposing one party rule in Kootenai County is the goal.
The latest example occurred in March, when the CDA Press exposed KCRCC Youth Chair Dan Bell’s campaign to orchestrate a GOP takeover of the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee. The scheme enlisted willing Republicans to change party affiliation and run as Democrats in open Precinct Captain races.
Based on a captured audio recording and reporting by the CDA Press, KCRCC Chair Brent Regan was “fully on board” with this plot. Yet when asked directly about his involvement, Regan denies it. However, his actions contradict his assertions. The fact is he has done nothing to condemn it or curtail it.
As stated in the Press article, the Kootenai Democrats learned of the KCRCC plot as the story broke.
Our Response to the Plot
In response, we quickly enlisted dozens of people to run for precinct captain. Fortunately, all were eager to run and serve KCDCC and protect it from the KCRCC’s fraud and dishonesty.
As a result, the KCRCC’s disgraceful plot will fail to achieve its goal of attaining a majority on our Democratic Central Committee. Yet, fake Democrats (Democrats in Name Only) could succeed in being elected as Precinct Captains.
Democracy depends on the rule of law. Moreover, our bylaws establish that elected candidates can serve. So, the question becomes what should we do about these DINO’s?
Democracy depends on upholding certain norms of behavior, with honesty being foremost among them. These Republicans have demonstrated through their actions, a pattern of dishonesty and impropriety. Consequently, a moral assessment of their actions would disqualify them from joining our central committee.
Consequently, these Fake Democrats should recognize the futility of their actions and publicly withdraw now. Or if elected, they should immediately resign.
For the Real Democrats and Real Republicans in our county, we must not forget this appalling event unfolding in front of us right now. What the KCRCC attempted is immoral and dishonest. To make matters worse, the Idaho Republican Party is choosing to ignore the situation and has taken no action to condemn these acts. Until they do, no Republican candidate in Kootenai County deserves a vote.
For the record, the Kootenai County Democratic Party has never urged its members to change party affiliation for any reason. Democrats should remain Democrats. Plan to vote in the May 17 Primary. Check our Election Info and Candidate Info pages for details about how to vote and for whom to vote. That is how we protect Kootenai County from the deviousness of the fake Democrats and their coconspirators in the KCRCC.
More Republican Meddling
There is a secondary issue stemming from this aborted takeover plot. The antisemitic troll David Reilly, a participant in the coup attempt, has succeeded in registering as a Democrat and is running as a Gubernatorial candidate. Consequently, his name will appear as a candidate for governor on the Democratic May 17 Primary ballot. DO NOT VOTE FOR HIM.
To make matters worse, one of the real Democrats running for Governor did not get listed. His name is Shelby Rognstad. You may recognize him as the current Mayor of Sandpoint. Because of a candidate filing issue, he is now running for Governor as a write-in candidate. If you wish to support him, please write-in his name (spelled correctly) and mark the oval next to his name on your ballot.
The other real Democrat who is running for Governor is Stephen Heidt. He is a former educator.
