Money and campaign finance
The KCRCC and Idaho candidates paid more than $200,000 to McShane LLC, a Las Vegas political texting firm. In 2022 a text told North Idaho College voters that "KC Democrats" supported three longtime Republicans.
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The record
- Christa Hazel wrote that McShane LLC received over $215,000 since 2021 from Idaho candidates and the KCRCC, based on the Secretary of State's database.1
- Her list includes Scott Herndon at $80,771, Art Macomber at $74,482 and the KCRCC at $20,009.36.1
- Sunshine records show the KCRCC paid McShane LLC $45,876.03 between April 2022 and October 2023.2
- Hazel wrote that a 2022 text said "KC Democrats support" three NIC trustee candidates, all longtime registered Republicans.1
- A text headed "KCRCC ALERT" described a "Friend of NIC burning effigy of Republicans downtown," which she wrote was a British-themed pub's holiday event.1
- McShane LLC hired Bjorn Handeen, a longtime Regan ally and Idaho GOP Region 1 chair, as its Idaho representative.3
- Handeen now chairs the Idaho Republican Party's Platform Committee and works for RMC Strategy, the McShane LLC rebrand.4
- McShane and RMC Strategy billed Idaho political committees $1.65 million in the 2025-2026 cycle.4
- Idaho Extremism counted 25 losses in 42 contested races that cycle.4
Who
- Brent ReganChaired the KCRCC during the payments.
- Bjorn HandeenMcShane's Idaho representative and Platform Committee chair.
- Scott HerndonThe largest payer on Hazel's list.
Sources
- OPINION: KCRCC requires Nevada astroturf to fight Idaho's grassrootsCoeur d'Alene Press, guest opinion by Christa Hazel · April 2023
- Idaho Secretary of State Sunshine campaign finance database: KCRCC payments to McShane LLCIdaho Secretary of State · 2022 to 2023 records
- Las Vegas Hired Guns Deployed in Idaho Legislative CampaignsPolitical Potatoes · April 2024 (archive)
- Millions Spent. 25 of 42 Contested Races Lost.Idaho Extremism · June 2026 (archive)
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