GOP outraises Dems in every statewide race + Former GOP AGs endorse Dem + Judge dismisses child care grants case against official

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

Bonneville County residents take part in the voting process during the May 21, 2024, primary election at The Waterfront Event Center in Idaho Falls. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

ELECTION 2026

Idaho Republicans hold fundraising lead over Democrats in every statewide general election race

By Clark Corbin

Incumbent GOP Gov. Brad Little has raised the most campaign money of any statewide candidate in 2026.

Lori Hickman, (right) Democratic candidate for Idaho attorney general, stands next to former Republican state attorneys general who are endorsing her: Jim Jones (center) and Lawrence Wasden. (Photo by Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)

ELECTION 2026

Former Republican Idaho attorneys general endorse Democrat in attempt to unseat Raúl Labrador

By Kyle Pfannenstiel

Two former Republican attorneys general in Idaho — along with dozens of former lawyers at the office — on Thursday endorsed the Democratic challenger in the race for the state’s top attorney.

Lori Hickman, who’s trying to unseat Republican Attorney General Raúl Labrador, said she wishes the race was nonpartisan. The race, she said, comes down to “who’s the best attorney to be the chief legal officer for the state of Idaho.”

The exterior of the Idaho Statehouse as seen on Jan. 14, 2026, in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

COURTS + POLICING

Grand jury indicted ex-Idaho health official on felony misuse of funds. A judge dropped the case.

By Kyle Pfannenstiel

Two days after a grand jury indicted a former Idaho state government employee on two felony counts of misuse of public funds, a local judge dismissed the case — after a request from the prosecutor.

The case marked the first criminal charges — and a rare public update — to emerge from a yearslong investigation launched by Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador that probed how the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare doled out $72 million in federal child care grants in 2021 and 2022.

North Idaho’s Priest Lake. (Photo by Chad Riley/Getty Images)

COMMENTARY

The Coolin Wetlands on North Idaho’s Priest Lake must be saved

By Ford Elsaesser

The Lakes Commission will strongly oppose any new development application that would destroy these precious wetlands, writes guest columnist Ford Elsaesser.

MORE IDAHO NEWS FROM US

2026 general election voter guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote. | Idaho Capital Sun staff

MORE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS FROM US

Wolves in SE Washington pack to be killed ‘incrementally’ by state officials after livestock attacks | Aspen Ford
US Senate leaves nation’s capital in advance of midterms with much still undone | Jennifer Shutt
Judge blocks federal prosecutors from refiling charges in Reflecting Pool case | Jennifer Shutt

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall

BoiseDev: Boise celebrates opening of $5.5 million permanent supportive housing expansion
Boise State Public Radio: Idaho Fish and Game shrinks steelhead limit amid poor return
Coeur d’Alene: Pickens hears from Cd'A voters on affordability and change
KMVT: BLM renovates Milner Historic Recreation Area facilities
Post Register: Deployable Energy to test its nuclear battery at INL's DOME
ProPublica: Four kids in one Idaho faith-healing family died. Authorities could do nothing.

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