Gov. Brad Little (R) is seeking a third term.
Candidates
- Brad Little Republican Incumbent
- Terri Pickens Democrat Nominee, trial attorney
- John Stegner Independent Retired Idaho Supreme Court justice
- Paul Sand Libertarian
- Pro-Life (Marvin Thomas Richardson) Constitution
- Jacob Burnett Independent Registered write-in
Where the race stands
- Solid D
- Very Likely D
- Lean D
- Tilt D
- Toss-up
- Tilt R
- Lean R
- Likely R
- Very Likely R
- Solid R
- No race
Analysis
Gov. Brad Little (R) is a heavy favorite for a third term in deep-red Idaho, and his campaign says he has raised a record $2.4 million. He faces trial attorney Terri Pickens (D), who has raised nearly $250,000, and retired Idaho Supreme Court Justice John Stegner (I), who has raised about $540,000. At an October 6 League of Women Voters forum that Little skipped, Pickens pledged a first budget restoring Medicaid expansion and mental health funding cut in the 2026 session, while Stegner said he would seek to repeal the Parental Choice Tax Credit, the state's private-school voucher law, and would challenge it in court as his first executive action. Both back Proposition 1 on the ballot and oppose the state's 287(g) agreement with ICE. Paul Sand (L) and a Constitution Party candidate are also on the ballot.
The rating is MultiState's consensus, the average of the Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball and Pluribus News. Polling is the RealClearPolling average where one exists.
Idaho governors since 1991
Republicans have held the office since 1995. The last Democrat was Cecil Andrus (1987–1995).
Each block is one governor; thin lines mark a reelection. Margins are the winner's lead over the runner-up, in points.
- Elected 2018 (+21.6), reelected 2022 (+40.2)
- Elected 2006 (+8.6), reelected 2010 (+26.3), reelected 2014 (+15.0)
- Succeeded to office 2006
- Elected 1998 (+38.6), reelected 2002 (+14.6), resigned 2006
- Elected 1994 (+8.4)
- Elected 1986 (+0.9), reelected 1990 (+36.4)