Idaho Statewide Candidates File for 2026 Election

Multiple incumbents and former lawmakers declare candidacy as filing period opens

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The candidate filing period for Idaho's 2026 statewide and legislative elections opened on Monday, with over 118 people filing by the end of the day. This includes incumbents like Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, Controller Brandon Woolf, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield, as well as some former lawmakers looking to regain seats. The filing period will run until Friday, ahead of the May 19 primary and November 3 general election.

Why it matters

Idaho's statewide and legislative elections will shape the state's political landscape for the next two years. The filing period provides an early look at the candidates and races to watch, including potential rematches between former lawmakers and incumbents.

The details

The candidate filing period for Idaho's 2026 elections opened on Monday and will run until Friday. Over 118 people had filed by 5:30 pm on the first day. All statewide constitutional offices, all 105 seats in the Idaho Legislature, and some congressional seats will be on the ballot. Both of Idaho's incumbent U.S. House representatives, Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson, filed on Monday. However, U.S. Senator Jim Risch, who is also up for reelection, had not filed yet. On the state level, several incumbents like Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, Controller Brandon Woolf, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield filed to run for reelection. Some former lawmakers who lost close races in the past, such as Scott Herndon and Julianne Young, also filed to run again.

  • The candidate filing period opened on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • The filing period will run until Friday, February 28, 2026.
  • The primary election is scheduled for May 19, 2026.
  • The general election will be held on November 3, 2026.

The players

Russ Fulcher

Idaho's incumbent U.S. Representative for District 1, first elected in 2019.

Mike Simpson

Idaho's incumbent U.S. Representative for District 2, first elected in 1999.

Jim Risch

Idaho's incumbent U.S. Senator, who has announced his bid for reelection.

Scott Bedke

Idaho's incumbent Lieutenant Governor, who filed to run for reelection.

Brandon Woolf

Idaho's incumbent State Controller, who filed to run for reelection.

Debbie Critchfield

Idaho's incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction, who filed to run for reelection.

Terri Pickens

A Democrat who ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2022 and has now filed to run for Governor.

Mark Fitzpatrick

The owner of the Eagle bar Old State Saloon and organizer of the Hetero Awesome Fest in Boise, who filed to run for Governor as a Republican.

Mike Moyle

Idaho's longest-serving state legislator, the Republican House Speaker from Star, who filed to run for reelection.

Brent Crane

A Republican state representative from Nampa, currently serving his 10th term, who filed to run for reelection.

Lori McCann

A Republican state representative from Lewiston, who filed to run for the Idaho Senate, challenging incumbent Senator Dan Foreman.

Scott Herndon

A former Republican state senator from Sagle, who narrowly lost his 2024 primary and is now running again for the District 1 state senate seat.

Julianne Young

A former Republican state representative from Blackfoot, who was defeated by four votes in the 2024 primary and is now running again.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Idaho's 2026 statewide and legislative elections will feature a mix of incumbents, former lawmakers, and new candidates, providing voters with a range of choices as they shape the state's political landscape for the next two years.