COEUR d’ALENE — For the first time in a decade, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee has a new leader.

During Thursday night’s meeting at the Kootenai County Administration Building, the central committee voted to choose former Post Falls mayor Ron Jacobson as the KCRCC’s chair, picking him over precinct committeeman and state senator Ben Toews by a margin of 63-9. 

Before the vote, Jacobson told the assembled precinct committeemen that he believes division is harming the Republican Party and that they can find common ground on most issues. 

“I’m tired of infighting,” he said. “I’m tired of separation.” 

Jacobson served three terms on the Post Falls City Council and three more as mayor. In November, he lost his bid for a fourth mayoral term to Randy Westlund, who is a precinct committeeman and nominated Jacobson for chair. 

Thursday’s vote came a little more than a week after the Republican primary election that shook up the central committee. 

Longtime chair Brent Regan lost his precinct to Rick Montandon, opening the door to the possibility of new leadership. Though the party rules allow for Republicans who are not precinct committeemen to be placed in leadership positions, no one nominated Regan on Thursday night. 

The central committee also voted to make Tamara Bateson the KCRCC’s vice chair, choosing her over Altar Church pastor John Padula by 61-9. 

A 38-seat coalition is needed to take majority control of the local GOP. Candidates backed by Kootenai Freedom Caucus, a political action committee bankrolled by the KCRCC, secured 37 seats, while candidates supported by rival PAC North Idaho Republicans picked up 33 seats.  

The remaining four seats on the central committee were won by Republican candidates unaffiliated with either group. 

Jacobson said the central committee can achieve great things through cooperation. The group appeared to find some commonality Thursday, given the decisive votes for new leadership. 

“You’re much more successful when you play as a team as opposed to fighting with each other,” Jacobson said.