Idaho’s Democratic nominees for governor and state superintendent of public instruction are taking their campaigns to eastern Idaho this weekend, scheduling back-to-back public events in Pocatello and Idaho Falls.

Terri Pickens, the Democratic candidate for governor, and Dr. Becky Sundin Mitchell, running for state superintendent of public instruction, will appear together at both stops. The Pocatello event is scheduled for Friday, July 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bison Room inside Yellowstone Restaurant, 230 W. Bonneville St. A meet-and-greet in Idaho Falls follows Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at Russell A. Freeman Park, 1290 Science Center Drive.

Who the Candidates Are

Pickens is a Boise-based trial attorney and small business owner who previously identified as a Republican before switching her party affiliation. She secured the Democratic nomination for governor in the May 19 primary. In November, she will face a competitive ballot that includes incumbent Republican Gov. Brad Little, independent candidate and retired Idaho Supreme Court Justice John Stegner, and Libertarian Paul Sand.

Mitchell, a former Republican who changed her registration to Democrat following the November 2020 election, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for state superintendent. She will challenge Republican incumbent Debbie Critchfield and Constitution Party candidate Teresa Roundy in the general election.

Reaching Eastern Idaho Voters

The eastern Idaho appearances reflect an effort by the Democratic ticket to build visibility outside the Treasure Valley, where the party draws most of its support. Bonneville and Bannock counties lean heavily Republican, making outreach trips like this an uphill but potentially useful exercise for candidates trying to broaden their coalition ahead of the November 3 general election.

Both candidates bring cross-partisan backgrounds — a selling point they may emphasize with voters skeptical of straight-party politics. Pickens in particular has highlighted her former Republican identity as evidence of a broader appeal, while Mitchell’s party switch gives her a similar narrative heading into a race against a well-funded incumbent.

With outside spending already a factor in Idaho’s 2026 election cycle — campaign finance watchdogs have flagged late-forming PACs as a concern — the retail politicking approach of in-person events gives candidates a lower-cost way to connect with voters directly.

The general election is set for November 3.