My 2 Cents: Is local GOP broken?

The lopsided vote that elevated Brent Regan to the chairmanship of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee raises the question: Is the local GOP broken beyond repair? Regan deserves credit for maneuvering into his positions as chairman of the Idaho Freedom Foundation and the local GOP. Obviously, he’s a man on a mission. But I’m not sure that mission is consistent with mainstream Republican values. Idaho Freedom Action, the nonprofit wing of Idaho Freedom Foundation, supported a list of Hard Right candidates during the recent primary legislative races. I doubt that Regan is going to moderate any time soon. So that means that the local Central Commitee won’t either. Which raises the question: Is it time for the majority of us in Coeur d’Alene — the ones who have fought successfully to free the School Board, City Council and now 2 of the 3 legislative spots, from Hard Right control — to give up on the local Republican Party? Is it time to form a standing political group in town that backs the best candidate — and not the one with an “R” after his/her name. In off years, Balance North Idaho has accomplished much in restoring balance to our nonpartisan races. In the recent primary, active moderates helped save the day from the Hard Right in Coeur d’Alene. Here’s the question:

Question: Is the local Republican Party officially broken? Should centrist Republicans and Independents seek other solutions to help good candidates win office, especially in purplish Coeur d’Alene?