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Elections

Retired Farmer and Educator Enters Idaho District 1 Senate Race as Independent

Steve Johnson, a retired educator and longtime Bonner County farmer, formally entered the race for the District 1 Idaho Senate seat last week, launching his independent campaign at an event in Sandpoint on August 4. Johnson will face Republican nominee Scott Herndon in the November 3 general election. Running without party affiliation, Johnson is positioning […]

By Idaho Politics Staff · August 5, 2026
Governor

Democrat and Independent Challengers Vow Statewide Push as Idaho Governor’s Race Takes Shape

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 […]

By Idaho Politics Staff · August 4, 2026
Congress

Democrat Exits Idaho Senate Race, Clearing Path for Independent Todd Achilles Against Risch

David Roth’s decision to abandon his Democratic bid for Idaho’s U.S. Senate seat has reshaped the race, potentially consolidating anti-incumbent support behind independent Todd Achilles as he mounts a long-shot challenge to Republican Sen. Jim Risch. Roth Steps Aside Roth announced Tuesday he was ending his campaign, framing the move as a strategic choice rather […]

By Idaho Politics Staff · August 1, 2026
Congress

Democrat David Roth Drops Idaho Senate Bid, Leaving Independent Achilles as Risch’s Main Challenger

David Roth, the Democratic nominee in Idaho’s U.S. Senate race, ended his campaign Tuesday evening, stepping aside and effectively consolidating opposition to Republican incumbent Sen. Jim Risch behind independent candidate Todd Achilles. Roth, an Idaho Falls consultant, won the Democratic primary in May but struggled to gain traction financially. Federal Election Commission data showed his […]

By Idaho Politics Staff · July 29, 2026
Elections

Idaho Elections Draw Federal Lawsuit and Fraud Arrests Even as Officials Point to Integrity Measures

Idaho’s election system is facing federal legal scrutiny over voter data access while state officials highlight security measures they say make the state a model for election integrity — a dual reality playing out as the national debate over election law continues to intensify. Federal Lawsuit Over Voter Data The U.S. Department of Justice has […]

By Idaho Politics Staff · July 29, 2026
Elections

Ten Republicans Now Vying for Idaho’s Special Election Congressional Seat as Sanford Enters Race

The Republican field for Idaho’s 2026 special election congressional primary grew to ten candidates after Sanford formally entered the race, adding another contender to an already crowded contest for what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive intraparty battles the state has seen in recent memory. A Crowded Republican Field Sanford’s entry […]

By Idaho Politics Staff · July 28, 2026
Elections

Abortion Rights Measure Qualifies for Idaho’s November Ballot After Record Signature Haul

An abortion-related ballot initiative will go before Idaho voters this November after supporters gathered a record-breaking number of signatures, setting up one of the state’s most consequential electoral fights in years. The Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act would establish a right to abortion before fetal viability and allow post-viability procedures to protect the health of […]

By Idaho Politics Staff · July 24, 2026
Elections

Ada County Road Fee Renewal Heads to November Ballot — But Truck Exemption Stirs Debate

Ada County voters will have a say this November on whether to extend a long-standing vehicle registration fee that pumps roughly $14 million annually into road and bridge maintenance across the county, after the Ada County Highway District Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to place the measure on the general election ballot. A Fee With […]

By Idaho Politics Staff · July 22, 2026
Elections

Idaho Governor’s Race Candidates Split on November Abortion Rights Initiative

Two of Idaho’s gubernatorial challengers have publicly declared their support for a November ballot measure that would roll back the state’s near-total abortion ban, while the Constitution Party candidate has vowed to fight the initiative if it passes. Republican incumbent Gov. Brad Little did not respond to requests for comment on the measure. Where the […]

By Idaho Politics Staff · July 22, 2026
Elections

Idaho Attorney General’s Office Tells DOJ to Back Off McGrane, Drop Election Lawsuit

Idaho’s attorney general office fired back at the U.S. Department of Justice this month, demanding federal officials cease direct contact with Secretary of State Phil McGrane and drop a civil lawsuit filed against him earlier this year over access to voter registration records. James E. M. Craig, a division chief in the Idaho Attorney General’s […]

By Idaho Politics Staff · July 17, 2026
Elections

Idaho Abortion Rights Initiative Cleared for November Ballot After Record Signature Haul

Idaho’s Secretary of State has approved the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act for the November ballot, setting up a direct confrontation between voters and the state’s near-total abortion ban that has been in effect since 2022. The certification follows a signature drive that produced more validated signatures than any other qualifying initiative in Idaho history. […]

By Idaho Politics Staff · July 13, 2026