As predicted, there will be a free-for-all for control of the Kootenai County GOP Central Committee this spring, as the county clerk's final list of contestants offers dozens of contested races. Also, there may be a struggle for control of the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee. On the Republican side, about 115 people have filed for 70 precinct seats, including challengers for three of the four key figures in the take over of the Central Committee by conservative hardliners -- Melanie Vander Feer, Tina Jacobson and John Cross. Cross will be challenged by Post Falls businessman Pat Whaley, who is also challenging state Sen. Bob Nonini in the Senate District 3 race. Bjorn Handeen in Precinct 52 is the only one of the current Central Committee leaders not being challenged. On the Democratic side, the number of individuals running for precinct committeeman jumped to 21 today. Huckleberries hears that a number of conservative hardliners signed up for Democratic precinct posts in an attempt to over the Democratic Central Committee. Complete lists here.