Idaho’s 2026 primary elections: GOP incumbents face right-wing challengers

Among the six states holding primaries on Tuesday is Idaho, a solidly Republican enclave in the Pacific Northwest near the Canadian border.

The state has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1974, underscoring its deep Republican roots.

The last Democrat to win federal office was U.S. Representative Walt Minnick in 2008, who served only one term.

The deep-red nature of the state makes Tuesday’s Republican primary races especially consequential; winners are expected to prevail in November’s general election.

The vote is seen as a bellwether for the future of the Republican Party under President Donald Trump’s leadership.

Many primaries pit moderates against hardline conservatives. Here are key details.

Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time (14:00 GMT on May 19 to 02:00 GMT on May 20).

Idaho is predominantly agricultural, with a population of just over 2 million.

The state has two seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, apportioned by population.

Both House seats and one Senate seat are on the ballot.

State-level offices up for election include the governorship and several other positions.

Many primary contests feature incumbents facing challengers seeking to move the state further right.

Governor Brad Little, a 72-year-old rancher, is seeking a third term.

Little faces seven Republican challengers, though only Ron James, a county commissioner, holds elected office.

Mark Fitzpatrick, a retired police officer and self-described “bold culture warrior,” is Little’s most active opponent, having out-fundraised other challengers and sought county endorsements.

Fitzpatrick adopts a harder line, calling Little a “traitor” for allowing an “illegal immigrant invasion” and organizing a “Hetero Awesomeness Fest” last year.

In the Democratic primary, four candidates compete; former public defender Terri Pickens leads in fundraising by a significant margin.

Idaho’s two congressional districts: the first runs from Canada along the western side, the second covers the southeast including Boise.

Republican Russ Fulcher, a businessman, represents the first district.

He faces two primary challengers, neither of whom reported significant FEC contributions as of April 29.

Kaylee Peterson holds a fundraising advantage in the Democratic primary for the same district.

In the second district, incumbent Mike Simpson, a former dentist, seeks a 15th term; he has held office since 1999.

Simpson has spent over $600,000 so far, according to the Idaho Capital Sun.

Only challenger Perry Shumway raised enough to report FEC contributions, totaling $5,291.98 by end of April.

Ellie Gilbreath runs unopposed in the Democratic primary after her only competitor withdrew.

Former Governor Jim Risch seeks a fourth Senate term.

Trump endorsed Risch in January, calling him one of his “strongest allies” in the Senate.

Risch faces a competitive primary with more spending than other state races.

His PAC has spent over $1 million, far exceeding challenger Josh Roy’s $23,500 in reported expenses.

Among three Democratic Senate candidates, only David Roth reported over $5,000 in FEC contributions.

Roth, a nonprofit worker, identifies as the first openly gay candidate for statewide office in Idaho.

Recent primaries have exposed fractures between traditional conservatives and far-right challengers.

Trump’s involvement makes these primaries a test of his influence over the party.

In the 2022 gubernatorial primary, Little defeated his Trump-endorsed lieutenant governor, Janice McGeachin.

Little had angered Trump’s MAGA movement by supporting some COVID-19 restrictions.

McGeachin opposed restrictions, and while Little was out of state in 2021, she signed an order banning mask mandates.

Little repealed the order upon returning, sparking a primary challenge.

Despite Trump’s endorsement of McGeachin, Little won but has rarely challenged Trump since.

In 2025, Little signed a bill banning mask mandates, a policy shift that helped secure Trump’s endorsement this cycle.

Trump has also endorsed Idaho’s U.S. House and Senate incumbents.

That could mean few surprises on primary day. As Kevin Richert wrote: “Idaho’s statewide primary elections could be dull.”

Idaho last had a Democratic governor in 1995, but the Republican primary winner may not have an easy path in November.

After the primaries, the Democratic and Republican nominees for governor will face independent John Stegner.

Stegner, a former Idaho Supreme Court judge, does not appear on primary ballots.

His campaign gained traction in March when he raised more in three months than the top Democrat in two years.

Incumbent Senator Jim Risch will likely face independent Todd Achilles, a former state representative, in the general election.

Achilles has actively fundraised and released a poll showing he could defeat Risch, though the poll’s credibility was questioned as it was sponsored by his own campaign.