Idaho Primary Results Update

Governor Little Advances, Legislative Incumbents Take Hits

Just over 307,000 Idahoans, roughly 30% of registered voters, turned out to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots. The results suggested that voters in several districts pushed back on deep spending cuts that some legislators pushed throughout the 2026 legislative session. Some of those legislators who championed those cuts will not be returning to Boise in January. 

Statewide and Federal

In the gubernatorial race, incumbent Governor Brad Little won decisively in an eight-candidate Republican field and will face Democrat Terri Pickens in the November general election. It will be his third and likely final term. U.S. Senator Jim Risch, held off three primary challengers, also winning decisively with 65% of the vote, securing his nomination for a fourth term. Both congressional incumbents, Russ Fulcher in CD-1 and Mike Simpson in CD-2 won and will advance to the general election in November.

Idaho Legislature

The bigger story last night was in the state legislative races, where eight republicans lost their seats (six confirmed, two still waiting final precinct results). Five of the confirmed six were members of the so called “Gang of Eight”, a small group of conservative legislators who pledged to support across-the-board spending cuts that ultimately defined this year’s legislative session. Senate races worth noting are SD-1 with Senator Woodward and Scott Herndon switching places for the third election in a row, while SD-28 saw Senator Jim Guthrie fend off challenger David Worley. These two races attracted more in-state and out-of-state money than any others on the ballot. In the House, notable upsets included HD-1A where Mark Sauter lost his seat to Jane Sauter (no relation), and HD-8B where Brian Beckley defeated incumbent Faye Thompson.

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of some of the most notable races we were tracking. This list does not reflect all candidates that Idaho credit unions supported this election.

 

Idaho State Senate
District Incumbent Challenger Inc. % Chal. % Incumbent Result
SD-1 Jim Woodward★ Scott Herndon 46.6% 53.3% Pending
SD-6 Dan Foreman Lori McCann 52.7% 47.3% Held
SD-11 Camille Blaylock★ Chris Trakel 58.8% 41.1% Held
SD-20 Josh Keyser Spencer / Marsh 40.0% 31.9% Held
SD-24 Glenneda Zuiderveld Brent Reinke★ 39.8% 60.1% Lost
SD-25 Josh Kohl Casey Swensen★ 42.1% 57.8% Lost
SD-28 Jim Guthrie★ David Worley 53.3% 46.7% Held

★– Credit Union Support

 

Idaho House of Representatives
District Incumbent Challenger Inc. % Chal. % Incumbent Result
HD-1A Mark Sauter★ Jane Sauter 46.5% 53.4% Pending
HD-4B Elaine Price Christa Hazel 59.5% 40.5% Held
HD-6A Colton Bennett Cindy Agidius 61.5% 38.4% Held
HD-7A Kyle Harris Michael Collins 57.0% 42.9% Held
HD-8A Rob Beiswenger Sean Hall 68.2% 31.7% Held
HD-8B Faye Thompson Brian Beckley ★ 40.8% 59.1% Lost
HD-11B Lucas Cayler Debbie Geyer 46.7% 53.3% Lost
HD-22A Greg Ferch Kelly Walton 49.0% 50.9% Lost
HD-24A Clint Hostetler Alex Caval 53.8% 46.2% Held
HD-25B David Leavitt Cherie Vollmer 44.8% 55.2% Lost
HD-28A Rick Cheatum★ James Lamborn 43.4% 40.2% Held
HD-29B Tanya Burgoyne Jennifer Miles 49.4% 50.6% Lost
HD-30B Ben Fuhriman★ Julianne Young 54.3 % 45.6% Held
HD-31B Rod Furniss Karey Hanks 58.4% 41.5% Held
HD-32B Erin Bingham★ Brian McKellar 57.8% 42.2% Held
HD-33A Barbara Ehardt Connor Cook 51.6% 48.4% Held
HD-35A Mike Veile★ Chad Christensen 56.0% 43.4% Held

★– Credit Union Support

 

These results won’t be official until they are certified by the Idaho State Board of Canvassers on June 9th.  We will continue to engage with candidates and credit unions throughout the summer and leading up to the general election in November.

 

Posted in Advocacy on the Move, Idaho Advocacy.