North Idaho PAC sparks questions, criticism

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Republican Party says a political action committee in northern Idaho is not associated with the party, even though the group is listed on the Idaho Secretary of State’s website as a GOP affiliate. The Coeur d’Alene Press (http://bit.ly/1VedUgf) reports that David Johnston, executive director of the state GOP, says the Kootenai County Republican Concerned Citizens PAC should not be listed as a party-affiliate because the group has endorsed candidates. “Not only do we not endorse candidates, we stay completely out of the primary campaigns altogether,” Johnston said.

The PAC’s treasurer declined to comment about the group’s endorsement process and did not return a request seeking further clarity. Brent Regan, who gave significant donations to the PAC in 2014, said he knows nothing about the group. “I just gave them money, I don’t have anything to say about them,” Regan said.

The group has the same acronym as Kootenai County Republican Central Committee PAC, leading some to question the group’s motives. A separate PAC called the Reagan Republican Victory Fund is also listed incorrectly as a party affiliate on the Secretary of State’s website.

Jeff Ward with the Reagan Republican Victory Fund, called the affiliation a mistake. Further, Ward criticized the Kootenai County Republican Concerned Citizens PAC. “The naming of that PAC is definitely deceptive,” said Ward. “And no one from the public knows who makes the decisions for that group, and nobody will talk about it.”