Resolve to be Involved
The New Year brings a sense that there are new opportunities. One of those opportunities could give you the ability to shape our local, state, and even national politics. Becoming an Idaho Republican Precinct Committeeman (PC) is one of the most accessible and impactful ways to engage in grassroots politics. Idaho is divided into 976 precincts serving about 600,000 Republican voters. Kootenai is the second largest Republican County in Idaho with 74,000 Republican voters and 74 precincts. Each precinct elects a Precinct Committeeman (PC) to serve on the Central Committee.
PCs serve as the link between grassroots everyday citizens and the party's leadership. PCs wield significant influence over the direction of the GOP at local, county, and even state levels. With Idaho's closed primary system, PCs play a key role in recommending candidates and shaping party platforms, making it a position ripe for those passionate about conservative values.
Ten years ago the Republican Central Committees were sleepy organizations who served as pamphleteers for the Republican candidates who won the Republican Primary election. Voter enthusiasm and turnout were low and the party was run by established “good old boy” networks. Since then the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) has drastically improved our situation.
There are over 230 elected offices with taxing authority in Kootenai County. Only one in ten of those are partisan positions with primary elections. Even though the remaining 90% are “non-partisan” they have a direct impact on your quality of life. As a committee dedicated to serving the community, the KCRCC voted to recruit, vet and recommend candidates for all elected offices, providing quality information directly to the voters so you can make an informed decision.
The KCRCC has been very successful in moving our local Republican Party from a passive to an active role in promoting the conservative Republican values of faith, freedom and family. The response has been dramatic. Voter engagement and turnout has risen dramatically, nearly threefold for some elections. Over 80 candidates recruited and recommended by the KCRCC now serve in taxing districts. Turnout at Republican Town Hall meeting has gone from a couple dozen to hundreds and the percentage of Republicans in Kootenai County has risen 10% so that now 63% of county voters affiliate with the Republican Party. The KCRCC is recognized as the best Central Committee in the state and is being successfully emulated by other counties in Idaho and even other states seeking to have a more effective Republican Party.
On a personal level, serving as a PC promotes growth and leadership skills. It an entry-level position with and a two-year term that doesn't require extensive campaigning or a huge time commitment. You'll learn about party operations, from vetting candidates to promoting the Republican platform on limited government, individual freedoms, and family values.
Many PCs advance to higher roles as party officers or even elected positions such as Trustee, Councilman, Mayor, Commissioner, County Clerk, Treasurer, Representative, Senator, or even Attorney General. Being a PC gives you invaluable experience and a new perspective. In a state like Idaho, where Republicans dominate but internal factions compete, your voice as a PC ensures your traditional conservative perspectives aren't drowned out by progressives seeking to turn Idaho blue. Idaho's GOP emphasizes self-reliance and local control, and PCs embody that by grassroots perspectives to government.
Amid national divisions, local action through precinct work rebuilds trust in our republican form of government. If you're a Republican voter tired of complaining from the sidelines, this is your chance to act. Go to KCRCC.com to find out more or email info@kcrcc.com if you are interested in being a Precinct Committeeman or volunteer.
It’s just common sense.
Jan. 10th, 2026