John R. Stegner

John R. Stegner, a lifelong Idahoan born and raised in Grangeville, is running for Governor of Idaho in 2026 as an Independent. He brings a deep legal background, having served for over two decades as a District Judge in Moscow, where he founded Latah County’s Drug and Mental Health courts, followed by five years as a Justice on the Idaho Supreme Court. Stegner, who holds degrees from Whitman College and the University of Idaho College of Law, is married with three daughters. He believes government should improve citizens' lives, advocating for accessible healthcare, quality education for all, and criminal justice reforms focused on rehabilitation. He also supports keeping public lands public.