Press Release from Kootenai County Republican Central Committee
February 27, 2025 — The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) wishes to set the record straight regarding the events at our legislative townhall on February 22, 2025, a private event held to foster civil discourse among constituents and elected representatives. The KCRCC is a Political Action Committee registered as a private organization with the Secretary of State. The facts are as follows:
This event, held in a facility rented from the Coeur d’Alene School District for $500, required us to secure $1 million in private event insurance. Lear Asset Management graciously volunteered their licensed and insured security services, with no contract needed as advised by the Coeur d’Alene Police, given the security team was unarmed. The assembly of 450 attendees was informed twice that this was a private event, and any disruptors would be asked to leave—a right upheld under Idaho law.
Prior to the townhall, a credible death threat was made against Representative Jordan Redman, with the perpetrator now detained in county jail on a $500,000 bond. Both the Kootenai County Sheriff and Coeur d’Alene Police were fully aware of this threat, necessitating heightened security measures. Despite this, the event faced immediate disruption, beginning during the invocation prayer, led by known agitator Teresa Borrenpohl.
Video shows Borrenpohl interrupted the speaker at least seven times, shouting insults and preventing 450 attendees from participating—a tactic known as the “heckler’s veto,” where one individual’s actions infringe upon the speaker’s rights and the assembly’s ability to engage. The First Amendment does not protect the right to interfere with others’ freedoms, and Borrenpohl’s behavior crossed this line. She was warned at least three times to cease her disruptions and was directly asked to leave by the Sheriff—Idaho’s supreme law enforcement authority—at least five times. She refused.
The Sheriff directed event security to assist him in removing her (Idaho code 19-205). Borrenpohl chose defiance over compliance with the Sheriff’s lawful order, biting and kicking a security team member. She was apparently unharmed during the removal, suffering no recorded injuries. According to a Coeur d’Alene Police Department report, she was cited for battery under Idaho Code 18-903, though the city prosecutor has declined to pursue charges.
Borrenpohl is no stranger to such tactics—she is a prime suspect in a prior North Idaho College fire alarm incident that caused a college board of trustees meeting to be evacuated and has disrupted multiple meetings. Her actions align with a broader pattern, as reports emerge nationally of Democrats targeting similar gatherings.
The KCRCC acted wholly within our legal rights and Idaho law to ensure the peace, safety, and rights of those in attendance. Borrenpohl is recorded ignoring a lawful order from the Sheriff (Idaho Code 18-705) and her removal ensued. We remain committed to providing a platform for civil engagement and will not allow such disruptions to undermine public discourse.
UPDATE: Our liaison and coordinator with the Coeur d’Alene School District was Marc Stewart. Mr. Stewart was recently elected committeeman after being endorsed by the North Idaho Republicans. The North Idaho Republicans is a PAC, not the official Republican Party and has been previously fined by the Secretary of State for campaign finance violations. The Legislative Subcommittee met the evening of the 26th and relieved Mr. Stewart of his position on that subcommittee.
For further inquiries, contact: info@kootenaigop.org
