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Eagle Today
By the People, for the People
Withdrawals Thin Field in Idaho Legislative Races
Ten candidates have dropped out of Idaho legislative races ahead of the primary election.
Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:21pm
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As of Tuesday morning, 10 candidates have withdrawn from legislative races in Idaho, including several in eastern Idaho districts. The withdrawals mean there will now be 45 Republican primaries and 5 Democratic primaries in the upcoming May elections, with some incumbents and challengers no longer facing a primary.
Why it matters
Candidate withdrawals can significantly impact the dynamics of legislative races, altering the competitive landscape and potentially shifting the balance of power in the state legislature. This story highlights the fluid nature of electoral politics and the importance of closely following developments in local and state-level races.
The details
The candidates who have withdrawn so far include Republicans James Spencer (District 6 House Seat A), Matt Stallsmith (District 14 House Seat A), Rep. Codi Galloway (District 15 Senate), Gary Alfred Butts (District 15 Senate), and Jeff Thompson (District 33 House Seat B), as well as Democrats Marissa Wilson (District 11 House Seat A), Ariel Olvera (District 14 Senate), Brian Stroops (District 23 House Seat B), and Rosann Mathews (District 28 Senate). The withdrawals mean there will no longer be primaries for several incumbents and challengers, including Rep. Ted Hill (R-Eagle, District 14 House Seat A), Desi Burbank (R, District 15 Senate), Rep. James Petzke (R-Meridian, District 21 House Seat A), Joe Fuller (D, District 23 House Seat B), and Mandy Peace (D, District 28 Senate).
- The candidate withdrawals were announced as of Tuesday morning, March 10, 2026.
- The primary elections in Idaho are scheduled for May 2026.
The players
James Spencer
Republican candidate who withdrew from the District 6 House Seat A race.
Marissa Wilson
Democratic candidate who withdrew from the District 11 House Seat A race.
Ariel Olvera
Democratic candidate who withdrew from the District 14 Senate race.
Matt Stallsmith
Republican candidate who withdrew from the District 14 House Seat A race.
Rep. Codi Galloway
Republican state representative who withdrew from the District 15 Senate race.
What’s next
EdNews will continue to update this story as more candidates withdraw from legislative races ahead of the May 2026 primary elections.
The takeaway
Candidate withdrawals can significantly impact the dynamics of legislative races, altering the competitive landscape and potentially shifting the balance of power in the state legislature. This story highlights the importance of closely following developments in local and state-level races as the electoral landscape continues to evolve.
