
By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

Idaho Gov. Brad Little, surrounded by friends and family, speaks to supporters at a May 19, 2026, primary election party at the Grove Hotel in Boise. (Photo by Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun)
ELECTION 2026
Idaho Gov. Brad Little wins Republican gubernatorial primary election
By Clark Corbin
Although the seven candidates challenged Little in the Republican primary, none gained much traction against the incumbent Republican endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Terri Pickens won the 2026 Democratic Primary election for Idaho governor. (Photo courtesy of Terri Pickens)
ELECTION 20216
Terri Pickens wins Idaho Democratic Party’s gubernatorial primary election
By Clark Corbin
Pickens, who grew up in Pocatello and lives in Boise, has campaigned on a platform of supporting public schools and ending what she called an “endless culture war” pushed by Republicans in the Idaho Legislature and incumbent GOP Gov. Brad Little.

A voter casts her ballot during the May 19, 2026, primary election at Westside Elementary School in Idaho Falls. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
ELECTION 20216
Six Idaho Republican lawmakers lose primary election. Two more are trailing.
By Kyle Pfannenstiel
Six incumbent Idaho Republican legislators lost their re-election bids in the primary election, including several who pushed to cut government spending, according to unofficial election results posted at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The election comes on the heels of a legislative session marked by steep spending cuts to avoid a budget shortfall.

An official ballot drop box sits on the side of the street on Election Day during the May 19, 2026, primary at the Bonneville County Elections Office in Idaho Falls. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
ELECTION 2026
Idaho’s Republican federal incumbents fend off primary challengers
By Laura Guido
Preliminary results after Tuesday’s primary show that incumbent Idaho federal officers – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, and Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher – fended off their opponents. The winners go on to face their Democratic, Libertarian, Constitution Party, and independent challengers in the general election on Nov 3.

Voters cast their ballots in the May 19, 2026, primary election at Emerson High School in Idaho Falls. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
ELECTION 2026
Democratic federal candidates Roth and Peterson win their primary election contests
By Laura Guido
Idaho Democrats David Roth, Kaylee Peterson and Ellie Gilbreath won their primary contests for federal elected positions.
ICYMI
Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting
Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall
Boise State Public Radio: As election season begins, Department of Justice is suing state for voter records
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