COEUR d'ALENE - The North Idaho Political Action Committee is planning to hold a meet-and-greet luncheon for all of the Republican candidates running for office during the upcoming primary elections.

"All Republican candidates are invited," said NIPAC President Brad Corkill. "It's still a little premature, and we are still getting things in place, but it will be an informal meet-and-greet."

Corkill said NIPAC is selling tickets for the event as a part of a fundraiser for the May 20 primary election. The fundraiser is not for any one candidate, but rather the PAC itself.

The lunch event falls on the same day the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee will hold its annual Lincoln Day Dinner fundraiser.

Corkill said he probably "ruffled a few feathers" by holding the event on the same day, but that wasn't the intent of the NIPAC when it scheduled that date.

Jim Pierce, who also sits on the NIPAC board, said the event was scheduled for the same day to take advantage of the fact that all of the candidates will be in town that day for the Lincoln Day Dinner.

"This is a complimentary event, not a competitive event," Pierce said. "The last few years, outside speakers have been brought in to speak at the Lincoln Day Dinner, and we just want to provide a different venue where we can hear from as many candidates as we can."

The event will be held at The Hagadone Event Center at The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course on April 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Tickets for the event are priced at $45 per individual, or $500 for a table of eight.

Corkill said there will be a variety of heavy hors d'oeuvres instead of a sit-down meal because they want attendees to have as much time as possible for mingling with the candidates.

For more information on how to obtain tickets, contact Pierce at (208) 770-2576.