Governor Idaho in Statewide, Idaho

2026 Primary Election

• Pro-Life — Candidate for Governor of Idaho in Eagle, ID

  Pro-Life, whose legal name is Marvin Thomas Richardson, is a candidate for Governor of Idaho in the 2026 election, running under the Constitution Party. He describes himself as a perpetual candidate, committing to run every two years alongside his wife, Kirsten Faith Richardson, to make voters accountable for hearing the truth, motivated by his faith in Jesus Christ. His past campaigns include an independent bid for Governor in 2010 and a run for Lt. Governor with the Constitution Party in 2022. As Governor, his core policy positions would involve immediately closing all abortion facilities, banning the sale of abortifacients—including birth control pills—and prohibiting transgender activity for any age in Idaho through executive orders.

• Chanelle Torrez — Candidate for Governor of Idaho in Caldwell, ID

  Chanelle Torrez, a Democratic candidate for Governor of Idaho in 2026, was born and raised in Caldwell, Idaho, where she also completed high school. Her professional background includes experience in retail. Torrez is focusing her campaign on critical issues facing Idaho, particularly the state's rapid growth. She advocates for a more balanced approach to development, emphasizing the need for impact fees to ensure that new growth adequately supports infrastructure and services, rather than assuming growth is self-sufficient. She aims to tackle these problems head-on to better serve Idaho communities.

• Jill C. Kirkham — Social Science and Humanities Instructor in Pocatello, ID

  Jill Kirkham, a Democrat, is running for Governor of Idaho in 2026. Born in Pocatello, she holds a Doctor of Arts in Political Science and serves as a Social Science and Humanities Instructor at College of Eastern Idaho. Her campaign focuses on responsible budgeting, lowering costs for working families, strong public schools, and investments in infrastructure and rural healthcare. She advocates for reducing the prison population, legalizing marijuana, ensuring sustainable water resources, and increasing attainable housing. Kirkham aims to protect Idaho's way of life and ensure future generations can thrive. She is recognized for her innovative teaching and student-first approach.

• Maxine Durand — Candidate for Governor in Twin Falls, ID

  Maxine Durand, a career public servant with over a decade in government and nonprofit sectors, is running for Governor of Idaho. Born in Richfield, Idaho, she holds an associate degree (2013) and a bachelor's (2018). Durand advocates for an equitable economy, public transportation, college encouragement, and food security. Her platform includes guarantees for reproductive care, state arts grants, rent controls, a $15 minimum wage, marijuana legalization, and support for small farms. She aims to address Idaho's cost of living, low wages, and threats to education and healthcare, viewing housing and healthcare as human rights. She is a proud Democratic Socialist of America member.

• Terri Pickens — Small business owner and founding partner of Pickens Law, P.A. in Boise, ID

  Terri Pickens, a small business owner and founding partner of Pickens Law, P.A., is running for Governor of Idaho in 2026. A Pocatello native, she is a graduate of USC and the University of Idaho College of Law. Pickens, a mother of two, lives in Boise and previously ran for Idaho Lieutenant Governor in 2022. She states she is running to lead during a time of conflict, believing politicians have ignored the public, and aims to elect leaders who listen and act, rather than bending to billionaires. Her platform advocates for women's bodily autonomy, civil rights protection, affordable healthcare, public land preservation, and fair wages. She also supports funding for Pre-K and full-time kindergarten and simple ways for immigrant workers to contribute while ensuring laws are followed and violent criminals are stopped.

• Jacob Burnett — Candidate for Governor of Idaho in ID

  Jacob Burnett is an Independent write-in candidate vying for the Governor of Idaho position in the November 3, 2026, general election. He is campaigning outside the traditional two-party system, aligning with principles of being a people-powered candidate who primarily accepts funds from grassroots donors and rejects special interest influence. Burnett pledges transparency in his policy agendas, advocates for an anti-corruption approach, and is committed to upholding civility throughout his campaign. He is listed as a candidate for the 2026 Idaho gubernatorial race.

• John R. Stegner — Retired Idaho Supreme Court Justice in ID

  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.

• Melissa-Sue Robinson — Business executive in ID

  Melissa Sue Robinson, a transgender activist, is running for Governor of Idaho in the 2026 election under the Libertarian Party banner. A former business executive, she champions individual freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government, asserting that government's role is to protect rights, not dictate personal decisions. Her platform advocates for civil liberties, including free speech, privacy, bodily autonomy, and equal protection, alongside a foreign policy of peace and non-intervention. Robinson pledges a campaign committed to anti-corruption, transparency, and civility, aiming to restore trust in government and empower communities. She holds a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University.

• Paul Sand — Business owner in White Bird, ID

  Paul Sand is seeking the Libertarian Party nomination for Governor of Idaho in 2026, marking his second gubernatorial bid after securing the Libertarian nomination in 2022. He previously served ten years on a local city council and has been an Idaho property and business owner for three decades, recently opening an antique store in White Bird. His platform advocates for smaller state government, allowing counties greater self-rule, and reducing state involvement to essential functions. He aims to bridge the rural-urban political divide and believes in lifting up existing businesses and people rather than attracting new ones. He also champions businesses prioritizing worker well-being, seeing it as a solution to economic disparity and a counter to socialist trends.

• Brad Little — Incumbent Governor in Boise, ID

  Brad Little is the incumbent Republican Governor of Idaho, first elected in 2018 and decisively re-elected in 2022. A lifelong conservative, he previously served as Lieutenant Governor and in the Idaho State Senate, and managed a family farming and cattle operation for thirty years. Running for re-election in 2026, he champions conservative values, historic tax relief, and economic growth. His platform focuses on securing communities, fighting drug cartels, cutting red tape, and investing in education and infrastructure, including the LAUNCH Program for workforce development. He aims to continue making Idaho a thriving place for families and future generations.

• Daniel C. Fowler — Candidate for Governor of Idaho in Nampa, ID

  Daniel C. Fowler is a working-class Republican running for Governor of Idaho in 2026. A Nampa resident who moved from Texas, he describes himself as a "9-to-5, paycheck-to-paycheck" individual lacking political experience or lobbyist support. His campaign aims to give a voice to everyday Idahoans, prioritizing families, workers, and communities. Key policy positions include strong public schools, fair wages, affordable housing, safe communities, and limited government. He advocates for revitalizing Idaho's economy through agriculture, trades, manufacturing, and energy, alongside supporting free or low-cost adult education and trade training. He strongly opposes taxpayer funding for abortion providers.

• Ethan Giles — Candidate for Governor in ID

  Ethan Giles is a Republican candidate for Governor of Idaho, slated to appear on the ballot in the Republican primary on May 19, 2026. A resident of Idaho for nearly 37 years and a graduate of Capital High, Giles states his primary motivation for running is to address and clean up the state's debt. His policy proposals include reversing tax cuts that he believes contributed to the state's surplus being given away, and redirecting the school voucher program specifically to support Special Education initiatives.

• Justin R. Plante — Journeyman diesel mechanic in Kimberly, ID

  Justin R. Plante is a Republican candidate running for Governor of Idaho in 2026. A 30+ year Idahoan, he lives in Kimberly and works as a journeyman diesel mechanic, with prior experience as a youth sports coach. He presents himself as an "outsider" focused on practical solutions for the state. His platform emphasizes real-time audits of government operations, improved financial transparency, and citizen-led task forces for departmental oversight. Plante advocates for streamlining water rights and building permits, increasing state park revenue, enforcing existing immigration laws, and providing housing/job training for veterans and youth aging out of foster care. He has also expressed pro-cannabis views.

• Lisa Marie — Candidate for Governor of Idaho in ID

  Lisa Marie, a Republican, is running for Governor of Idaho in 2026, driven by a deep concern that children are not prioritized. She moved to Idaho in 1978 with her single mother and built successful businesses, including serving as CEO of a wellness and nutrition company. Marie campaigns on a platform emphasizing parental rights in education, a social conservative stance on family values, and reducing government overreach. She advocates for policies to combat inflation, secure the border, and boost the economy, aiming to re-engage non-voting Idahoans and ensure every decision supports families and children.

• Mark Fitzpatrick — Entrepreneur, Business Owner (Old State Saloon) in Eagle, ID

  Mark Fitzpatrick, a faith-driven husband, father of six, retired police officer, and successful entrepreneur, owns Old State Saloon in Eagle, Idaho. A lifelong Republican, he challenges incumbent Governor Brad Little in the 2026 Republican primary, viewing Little as a 'weak RINO.' He aims for a populist governorship through open town halls and direct citizen engagement. His platform focuses on slashing taxes, securing borders, deporting illegal aliens, defending life from conception, upholding parental rights, protecting Second Amendment freedoms, and preserving traditional marriage, asserting 'Idaho is not for sale.'

• Ron James — Incumbent Teton County Commissioner in Driggs, ID

  Ron James is a Republican candidate running for Governor of Idaho in 2026. A father of five, grandfather of seven, small business owner, and licensed real estate agent, James currently serves as Teton County Commissioner. He advocates for Idaho's sovereignty, seeking to reduce the state's dependency on federal grants and push back against what he describes as overreaching federal mandates by utilizing Idaho's natural resources. His platform includes strong support for private property rights, law and order, and traditional American family values. On the issue of abortion, he strongly believes providers should not receive taxpayer funds and that human life deserves legal protection from conception, allowing elective abortions only in cases of rape, incest, or to save the mother's life.

• Sean Calvert Crystal — Management, E-Commerce, Numismatics, Small Business Owner in Ammon, ID

  Sean Calvert Crystal, a 37-year-old Idaho native, is a Republican candidate for Idaho Governor in the 2026 election. Born and raised in Shelley and now residing in Ammon, he brings a background in management, e-commerce, numismatics, and small business ownership. His campaign priorities focus on fiscal responsibility, government accountability, economic growth, small business support, and healthcare and Medicaid stability, with education reform also a key concern. Crystal previously ran for State Representative in District 32 in the 2024 Republican Primary.