Documented Record
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Kootenai County Republicans split over decision to bring Matt Gaetz in as keynote speaker at Lincoln Day Dinner
Spokesman-Review · February 2026 (archive)
- Eberlein, attending the Lincoln Day Dinner, dismissed KCRCC members who chose not to attend over the Gaetz invitation: "You want me to be blunt? They're liberals."
- Said he had no knowledge of the sexual misconduct allegations against Gaetz and "doesn't stick his nose into that area."
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Opt-out tossed out
Coeur d'Alene Press · March 2019 (archive)
- Commissioners voted 2-1 to repeal the opt-out ordinance Eberlein championed; both who voted for it "did not win re-election bids."
- Eberlein disclosed at the hearing that he had personal building projects under the provision he created.
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Building code opt-out may be on way out
Coeur d'Alene Press · September 2018 (archive)
- Eberlein lost his Republican primary to challenger Bill Brooks.
- Brooks called the opt-out "an incredibly bad idea" put forward by people who "don't really understand what building codes are for."
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No construction rules in Kootenai County? What could go wrong?
Inlander · March 2018 (archive)
- Initially proposed making all Kootenai County building codes entirely voluntary: "Many folks moving to Idaho expected to escape California's excessive rules."
- After a contentious public hearing, backed a compromise allowing homebuilders to opt out of state-approved safety codes.