Political action committees spent more than $4.2 million on Idaho’s May 2026 primary elections, with the bulk of that money flowing into legislative contests that pitted mainstream Republicans against hardline conservative challengers. The spending underscores how the intra-party battle for the direction of the Idaho GOP has become increasingly well-funded.

Republican Primaries Drive PAC Activity

Because Idaho’s Republican primaries are effectively the most competitive races in the state, PAC strategists focused their resources almost entirely on legislative matchups between establishment-aligned incumbents and more ideologically rigid challengers. Nine Republican incumbents lost their primary elections this cycle.

Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane has noted a trend of rising “independent expenditures” in recent election cycles, a pattern this year’s figures reinforce. Unlike direct contributions to candidates — capped at $1,000 per election under Idaho law — there is no limit on what individuals or companies can donate to PACs, giving outside groups significant leverage in low-dollar legislative races.

Defend and Protect Idaho Leads All PACs in Spending

The single largest PAC spender was Defend and Protect Idaho, which deployed more than $752,800 across the primary season — backing 23 Republican candidates while actively opposing 14 others. The group was founded in 2022 by former Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney along with other retired law enforcement officials.

Of that total, the PAC directed roughly $270,000 toward supporting mainstream Republican incumbents and more than $480,000 toward defeating ultra-conservative challengers and nine sitting legislators it targeted for removal.

Results were mixed. Sen. Jim Guthrie of McCammon and Rep. Ben Fuhriman of Shelley both won their races after receiving roughly $18,000 and $19,000 in PAC support, respectively. Sen. Jim Woodward of North Idaho, however, lost to Scott Herndon despite more than $25,000 invested on his behalf.

The PAC’s opposition spending also produced uneven outcomes. Sen. Dan Foreman of Moscow survived nearly $97,874 in spending against him. Former Rep. Megan Blanksma, who received $27,234 in PAC backing while challenging Sen. Christy Zito, fell short in a three-way primary — even as Zito herself faced nearly $65,500 in opposition spending from the same group. Rep. Lori McCann of Lewiston received over $18,000 in support for her Senate bid and lost.

Five members of the so-called “Gang of Eight” — a bloc of conservative House members who drew establishment ire — lost their primary elections.

Funding Sources Behind the PACs

Defend and Protect Idaho drew significant backing from the private sector. Caleb Roope, president and CEO of Eagle-based Pacific Companies, contributed $90,000 to the PAC. Out-of-state money also played a role, with Way Back PAC, Article IV, and Unite America PAC listed among the top outside donors.

Hometown Heroes PAC spent over $150,000 in support of mainstream Republican candidates and contributed more than $65,000 directly to Defend and Protect Idaho. Rep. Britt Raybould of Rexburg and Sen. Van Burtenshaw of Terreton were among those who donated to Hometown Heroes.

Idaho First PAC received $45,000 from Hometown Heroes and an additional $6,000 from Take Back Idaho PAC, further illustrating how PAC networks funneled money through multiple layers of outside spending.

What It Means for Idaho Politics

The scale of PAC investment in down-ballot legislative primaries reflects the high stakes both factions of the Idaho Republican Party see in controlling the Legislature. With Gov. Brad Little leading all statewide candidates in 2026 fundraising, the governor’s allies and ideological opponents alike appear motivated to shape the composition of the Legislature that will work alongside — or against — his agenda.

Campaign finance data was drawn from Idaho’s Sunshine database, maintained by the Secretary of State’s office. Whether the level of outside spending this cycle marks a new baseline or a one-cycle surge will likely become clearer as filing deadlines and general election activity ramp up in the months ahead.