State Representative Seat A District 23 in Idaho State House District 23, Idaho

2026 Primary Election

• Paul M Smith — Candidate for Idaho House of Representatives District 23A in ID

  Paul M. Smith is a candidate for the Idaho House of Representatives, seeking to represent District 23A. He is running under the Constitution Party banner in the 2026 election. His educational background includes a high school diploma from Bellarmine College Prep and a degree from the College of San Mateo, which he earned in 1988. Smith's career experience highlights his work as a volunteer and an affiliation with the Marsing Emergency Network. He is slated to participate in the Constitution Party primary on May 19, 2026, for this state-level position.

• Emily Fisher — Small business owner in Kuna, ID

  Emily Fisher is a lifelong Idahoan, small business owner, and public lands advocate running as a Democratic candidate for Idaho House District 23A in 2026. Living in Kuna, she is not an incumbent and has not previously held elected office. Her priorities include protecting public lands and water, managing growth wisely in District 23, supporting local businesses and the rural economy, and ensuring fiscal accountability. She aims to address the challenges faced by rural families and entrepreneurs, strengthen Idaho's economy, and maintain the community's character amidst development.

• Chris Bruce — Incumbent Idaho State Representative, District 23A in Kuna, ID

  Chris Bruce is a Republican State Representative for Idaho's House District 23 Seat A, encompassing Kuna and parts of Ada, Canyon, and Owyhee counties. First elected in 2024, he assumed office in December 2024 after narrowly winning his primary and overwhelmingly the general election. He is seeking re-election in 2026 in a rematch against former Rep. Melissa Durrant. Bruce, who also serves on the Kuna City Council, is motivated by a life-changing battle with leukemia, shaping his commitment to community service. His policy stances include being Pro-Life, advocating for equal rights and opportunity, supporting school choice where funding follows the child, and opposing bills that promote illegal immigration into Idaho. He emphasizes accountability in education.

• Melissa Durrant — Speech-Language Pathologist in Kuna, ID

  Melissa Durrant is a Republican candidate for the Idaho House of Representatives, District 23 Seat A, running in the 2026 primary. A former one-term state representative, she is a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist in the Kuna School District, a profession inspired by her daughter. Born in Utah, she moved to Kuna, Idaho, in 2006. She holds degrees from Boise State and Utah State, including a master's in Speech-Language Pathology. Her background includes family agriculture and leadership roles in agricultural organizations. Durrant advocates for pro-life policies, gun rights, infrastructure investment, tax cuts, and limited regulations. She emphasizes putting Idaho families first, listening to constituents, and bringing experienced, accountable leadership to the Statehouse, particularly regarding education and water issues.