POST FALLS - Rep. Frank Henderson has joined forces with two former state senators from Post Falls to form a political action committee to support political candidates who are focused on economic development.

"We are not final on how we will function, but our goal is to identify those candidates we think can be effective in economic development - both in the Legislature and in Kootenai County working directly with Jobs Plus and city and county government," Henderson said in an email.

The new PAC is called the "Jobs Creators PAC." It will be led by Henderson, and former GOP senators Jim Hammond and Dick Compton.

"This is really Frank's brainchild," Hammond said. "And I have some leftover campaign funds that we can use, so I told him I would participate."

Hammond said leftover campaign funds can only be spent two ways: by helping other candidates or donating the money to charity. Hammond said he had about $19,000 left over when he retired from the Senate.

He has already spent $10,000 of that, but still has about $9,000 on hand. Henderson's campaign disclosures show that he has more than $16,000 in the bank.

Compton said Henderson called him a couple of weeks ago to talk about the concept, but Compton has been under the weather and hasn't had an opportunity to discuss details with Henderson.

Henderson is planning to retire after this legislative session to focus his attention on economic development in North Idaho.

He said he has talked with several people about participating in the evaluation process and so far the response has been positive.

"We think there will be many more members of the PAC," Henderson said. "No one has said no to participating in the evaluation of candidates."

So far the group has developed a questionnaire that will go out to all candidates in the upcoming primary election. The four questions are designed to gauge the candidates' interest and commitment to economic development.

Candidates can either fill out the questionnaire or request a face-to-face interview with five members of the selection committee.

Henderson said they have already come up with a slogan as well.

"Our slogan is: 'We've been there and done that,'" Henderson said, explaining that the PAC intends to use the experience of its members to support the candidates. "Our experience at all levels of economic development should be helpful."