- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Parma Today
By the People, for the People
Former Lewiston Mayor Challenges Incumbent for State House Seat
Mike Collins, a longtime coach and city official, is running on conservative issues like opposing trans women in sports and tougher immigration enforcement.
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Mike Collins, a former mayor of Lewiston and longtime city councilor, is challenging incumbent Kyle Harris for the 7th Legislative District seat in the Idaho State House. Collins, 57, told the Lewiston Tribune he is running on three key issues: opposition to allowing trans women to compete in women's sports, support for stronger immigration enforcement, and finding ways to reduce the high cost of home ownership in the district.
Why it matters
The 7th Legislative District is a sprawling, conservative-leaning area that stretches from Council to Lewiston. Collins' challenge to the incumbent Harris, who is aligned with the Freedom Caucus, could signal a shift in the district's political landscape if he is able to win the Republican primary.
The details
Collins, a longtime cross country coach at Lewis Clark State College, said he believes people in the district want to keep athletics segregated by biological sex rather than gender identity. On immigration, Collins said he wants the southern border protected but acknowledged the issue is complex, given the agriculture industry's reliance on migrant workers in southern Idaho. He said those who have followed the legal process to enter the country should be allowed to stay, while those who came illegally should be deported, especially if they are committing crimes.
- Collins, 57, told the Lewiston Tribune on February 25, 2026 that he is running for the 7th Legislative District seat.
The players
Mike Collins
A former mayor of Lewiston and longtime city councilor who is challenging incumbent Kyle Harris for the 7th Legislative District seat in the Idaho State House.
Kyle Harris
The incumbent Republican representative for the 7th Legislative District, who is aligned with the Freedom Caucus and was first elected in 2024.
What they’re saying
“I feel this is something I am supposed to be doing. I believe this is the right place and right time for me to step into this challenge.”
— Mike Collins, Candidate for State House (Lewiston Tribune)
“As a coach I live that one, that is something that crosses my desk, I have a very strong opinion on that as a coach and a coach of both men's and women's teams and the father of two female athletes, quite bluntly men don't belong in women's sports. You can carry it on to biological males don't belong in women's bathrooms.”
— Mike Collins, Candidate for State House (Lewiston Tribune)
What’s next
The Republican primary election for the 7th Legislative District seat is scheduled for May 2026.
The takeaway
Collins' challenge to the incumbent Harris highlights the continued importance of conservative social issues like transgender participation in sports in Republican primaries, even in a sprawling rural district like the 7th. The race could also test the strength of the Freedom Caucus faction within the Idaho GOP.
