Idaho Congressional Incumbents Face Primary Challengers in 2026 Election

All members of Idaho's congressional delegation up for re-election are running, with Republican primaries likely deciding the winners.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The 2026 election cycle in Idaho will see all three of the state's congressional seats on the ballot. U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher, and U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson are all running for re-election, but each faces primary challengers from within the Republican party. The Republican primaries in Idaho often decide the ultimate winners, as the state has trended heavily Republican in recent decades.

Why it matters

Idaho's congressional delegation plays a key role in shaping national policy, and the 2026 election will determine who represents the state in Congress for the next several years. The primary challenges to the incumbent Republicans highlight the ongoing ideological divisions within the party, which could impact the general election outcomes.

The details

U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, a four-term Republican incumbent, faces three GOP challengers in the primary: Denny LaVe, Joe Evans, and Josh Roy. Three Democrats and two independent candidates have also filed to run. In the U.S. House races, Rep. Russ Fulcher (1st District) and Rep. Mike Simpson (2nd District) both face Republican primary opponents, while also drawing Democratic and independent challengers.

  • The candidate filing deadline was 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026.
  • The Idaho primary election is scheduled for May 19, 2026.
  • The general election will take place on November 5, 2026.

The players

Jim Risch

U.S. Senator from Idaho, running for a fourth six-year term as a Republican.

Russ Fulcher

U.S. Representative for Idaho's 1st Congressional District, running for a fifth two-year term as a Republican.

Mike Simpson

U.S. Representative for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District, running for a 15th two-year term as a Republican.

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What’s next

The Idaho Secretary of State's Office will finalize the list of candidates on the evening of Friday, February 27, 2026. The Republican primary election is scheduled for May 19, 2026, and the general election will take place on November 5, 2026.

The takeaway

Idaho's congressional delegation is poised to see significant turnover, as long-serving incumbents face primary challenges from within their own party. The outcomes of these races will shape the state's political landscape for years to come, with the Republican primaries likely determining the ultimate winners.