A Democratic attorney and a former Idaho Supreme Court justice are both mounting active campaigns for governor this fall, setting up a multicandidate challenge to Republican incumbent Brad Little as he pursues a third term.

Democrat Terri Pickens and independent John Stegner have each pledged to campaign across all 44 Idaho counties before the general election, distinguishing themselves from other challengers in the race who have taken a less active approach.

The Challengers

Stegner spent 25 years on the Idaho bench, including a stint on the Idaho Supreme Court. If elected, it would mark his first time holding statewide elected political office. He told the Idaho Capital Sun he entered the contest because he felt no one else was prepared to take on the challenge of running against a well-funded incumbent. “I got into this race because I think Idaho is worth fighting for, and I didn’t see anybody else willing to take up the mantle,” Stegner said. His campaign is planning events in each of Idaho’s 44 counties.

Pickens, an attorney who runs her own firm, secured the Democratic nomination in the spring primary. She previously ran for lieutenant governor in 2022, losing to Republican Scott Bedke. Despite that defeat, she says her earlier run built meaningful name recognition. “I can’t go anywhere in the state of Idaho without people recognizing me, and that is really huge for a candidate going in,” Pickens told the Idaho Capital Sun. She has already campaigned in 30 counties and intends to reach all 44 before Election Day.

A Steep Historical Climb

Idaho has not elected a Democratic governor since 1990, when former Gov. Cecil Andrus won his fourth and final term. That 36-year drought underscores the challenge Pickens faces in a state that has trended heavily Republican at the statewide level. Pickens has said she is focusing outreach efforts on voters aged 18 to 30 as part of her strategy to expand the Democratic base.

Stegner’s independent candidacy adds another dynamic to the race. Running without a major party label, he faces the challenge of building a coalition in a state where party registration heavily favors Republicans. His judicial background may provide credibility with voters looking for a nonpartisan alternative, but translating that into votes statewide is a different test than any he has faced before.

The Rest of the Field

Two additional candidates round out the ballot. Constitution Party candidate Pro-Life — who legally changed his name from Marvin Richardson — is on the ballot but has not reported raising any campaign funds and does not plan an active campaign. Libertarian Paul Sand is also running.

Governor Little, seeking his third term, enters the fall as the clear frontrunner with the advantages of incumbency, name recognition, and a well-established campaign operation.

What’s Next

The general election is scheduled for November 3. Both Pickens and Stegner are racing to complete their tours of Idaho’s 44 counties before voters head to the polls. Their ability to generate grassroots energy and media attention in a state dominated by Republican statewide officeholders will be closely watched as the campaign enters its final stretch.

The governor’s race is unfolding alongside a competitive U.S. Senate contest, where independent Todd Achilles is challenging incumbent Sen. Jim Risch. A Democrat recently exited that Senate race, consolidating the non-Republican opposition around Achilles, and the Forward Party has since announced its backing of Achilles as Risch holds a commanding fundraising advantage. The broader question of whether any non-Republican candidate can break through in a statewide Idaho race is shaping up as one of the defining storylines of the 2026 election cycle.