OPINION: Why does KCRCC oppose Republican Gov. Brad Little?

The May election is here, and as lifelong, active Republicans, we urge you to vote. When only a small fraction of voters participate, representation is weakened — often resulting in the election of officials unsuited for public office. The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) has recommended several such candidates over the years.

At the top of the May 19 primary ballot is the race for Idaho governor. The choice is clear. Brad Little has served honorably as our Republican governor for eight years, helping make Idaho one of the most desirable states in America. He is fiscally responsible, deeply rooted in Idaho and the only candidate in the race endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Yet KCRCC has endorsed one of Little's little-known opponents, saloon owner Mark Fitzpatrick, who’s only lived in Idaho eight years. These are not headlines from the National Enquirer. They are Fitzpatrick's own tweets:

On the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster (Sept. 8, 2022): “People were starting to get suspicious of NASA and were seeing that it was a bunch of bull. So, NASA decided they'd blow up the Challenger so they could effectively shut down their program, wait 15 years, then instead of picking it back up, they prop up billionaires.”

On Jewish Americans (Nov. 9, 2025): “Things you can never talk about: 1. The ‘Jews' are actually not the Jews they are the Khazars aka Synagogue of Satan. 2. The earth is flat.”

On members of the LDS faith (Sept. 28, 2025): “Dear @realDonaldTrump, Mormons aren't Christian. Stop saying otherwise.” — and “I'm here to stay. And perhaps expose the evil of the LDS church while I do it.”

This is the KCRCC’s “rated and vetted” pick for governor — a candidate whose own words speak for themselves. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist, Jewish or LDS to understand Idaho needs steady leadership focused on real challenges, not distractions rooted in conspiracy and division. We can’t afford to get this one wrong.

Which raises an obvious question about KCRCC chairman Brent Regan. In a 2018 essay, Regan movingly described helping his father electroform the heat shield for the Lunar Module's antenna — the one that transmitted Neil Armstrong's “one small step for man” to the world. He wrote that the moon landing is “deeply personal” to him and that American exceptionalism is “the real reason for our success.” Why, then, is Regan lending his reputation to a candidate who calls the space program “a bunch of bull” and the earth flat?

As the third-largest central committee in the state, representing more than 74,000 Republicans, KCRCC uses a biased rating process that falls nothing short of a sham. It lacks transparency and produces endorsements that raise serious concerns. In the recent vote, only 29 KCRCC members supported Fitzpatrick over Gov. Little — enough to land the endorsement while at least 40 precinct committeemen were not present.

This is not an isolated lapse. Four years ago, KCRCC endorsed another candidate over Gov. Little. Little won that five-way primary with 53% of the Republican vote. Even after he secured the Republican nomination, KCRCC refused to recommend him, and many members backed anti-government Independent candidate Ammon Bundy. Idaho voters re-elected Little with more than 60%.

Which is why we must ask: is the current KCRCC majority even Republican?

Elections are a chance to make your voice heard — and the only way to change KCRCC is to elect precinct committeemen who will restore its transparency and credibility. Take a close look at the candidates supported by North Idaho Republicans. End the chaos.

Above all, VOTE. You can vote now or on May 19.

Sandy Patano, Jack Riggs, Luke Russell, Becky Funk, Deb Russell, Jim Pierce

All co-founders of North Idaho Republicans