Three weeks ago, The Kootenai Journal published an article that shared an audio recording of Christa Hazel’s event with the North Idaho Republicans. That event was centered around a local group nationally known as “Groypers.” Hazel claims that the group has ties to Neo-nazi ideology and European supremacists.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, David Reilly took issue with the information shared in Hazel’s speech: “Do some research before sharing bogus research from social Justice orgs.” Reilly also shared a Tweet in which he called out self proclaimed conservatives: “So-called ‘Republicans’ who cite: • Political Research Associates • People for the American Way • Right Wing Watch • Institute for Strategic Dialogue • SPLC & ADL are REALLY far-left, anti-Christian, UN shills posing as ‘moderates’ to make their globalist b/s palatable.”
Local reporter Summer Bushnell also took umbrage with one of the main speaker’s allegations that she sent texts to people inviting them to the private event: “I did not text people asking them to go. That is why I asked publicly for north Idaho Republicans to show a screenshot. I am concerned that perhaps someone is claiming to be me and sending out texts.
Bushnell also responded to the accusations against alternative media by asking a question: “In response to the discussion at the meeting about alternative news/media. I would rather ask a question. Who determines what is news? Is it a person’s favorite new source that confirms their own personal bias? Every media outlet serves a purpose, even the ones that we don’t like.”
Erin Barnard had a similar response to claims made against alternative media sources: “If she and the NIR are saying negative things about my desire for the community to be well-informed, then I’m doing my job to bring light into the darkness surrounding the local establishment political sphere.”
Barnard called out Hazel directly for her ties to liberal causes: “Christa Hazel supported Joe Biden in the last presidential election. Any organization who supports her political opinion, North Idaho Republicans PAC, Save NIC, and the Kootenai County Democrats to name a few, obviously do not represent the conservative community of Kootenai County.”
In response to claims that the America First movement is embedded in the KCRCC, Chair Brent Regan said that KCRCC members are voted into office by the people who live in Kootenai County: “KCRCC members are elected by the Republican voters in their precincts. If there is a vacancy then a Republican in the precinct may be nominated by a sitting PC and then stand for election by the entire committee. We are not a self selected group like NIR. Our committee therefore represents a cross section of Republicans in Kootenai County.”
Regan said that the Idaho Republican Party Platform provides guidelines which members are supposed to stay within. According to Regan, that platform doesn’t necessarily line up with positions Hazel says the “Groypers” hold to.
Regan also pushed back on the claim that the America First involvement in a parade tied the KCRCC to the group: “There were democrats walking in the parade and we didn’t adopt what they believe either. In fact, I went to see Jaws and did not turn into a shark.”
I reached out to the North Idaho Republican’s official email address as well as the phone number provided by Hazel on a press release, but neither party chose to respond to my request for comment.
I also reached out to Vincent James Foxx and Jeff Tyler, but I have not received a response.
