In Idaho, our primaries can be a litmus test for who we will see in office in January 2027, and for this May 19th primary, the scores are in.
With a lower voter turnout and at times a greater number of candidates, primary elections are a unique opportunity for Idahoans to use their vote to build the ballot for November. Although we still have a November 3rd election at the end of this year, 80 to 90 percent of the decision making has already been accomplished during this primary due to the Republican majority in Idaho. This is the same for most state and local races as well.
There weren’t any surprises at the top of the ticket with our federal candidates and statewide seats. Much of the collective focus was on Idaho legislative races. For the Idaho Senate races, the ousting of two “Gang of Eight” senators, Josh Kohl (Twin Falls) and Glenneda Zuiderfeld (Jerome), were huge wins for conservation in Idaho. Jim Woodward’s loss to Scott Herndon in District 1 (Sandpoint) is disheartening, but protecting Senator Jim Guthrie (Pocatello), one of CVI’s Constitutional Champions, is a massive win for Idaho.
In the house, we gained numerous public land and clean energy champions on the republican ticket. Chance Requa, a challenger from the Magic Valley, beat 12 year incumbent Steve Miller. Rep. Miller voted against the SJM111 (the public lands memorial introduced and ultimately passed in the 2026 Legislative Session), and stated that Idaho shouldn’t have any federal public lands and that they all should be transferred to the state, to “do as it wishes.” This flip was crucial, as Miller held the House Budget Committee Vice Chair position, and has historically been bad on public lands, clean energy, and right to vote issues. Other “Gang of Eight” incumbent representatives that lost their seats included Rep. Lucas Cayler (District 11B), Rep. David Leavitt (District 25B), and Rep. Faye Thompson (District 8B).
We were also encouraged by the results of perhaps lesser known, yet just as impactful, local and county races. County commissioner races in Bannock and Elmore counties will have a big impact in their respective counties, but also across Idaho. These county leaders will usher in perspectives and policies that are big wins for clean energy and private property rights. Bannock County incumbent, Jeff Hough handily won his bid for re-election and is a strong supporter of solar and building a resilient local economy. In Elmore county, Kelly Riggs won the three-way race for the open County Commissioner seat representing Glenns Ferry. Riggs is a third-generation rancher, former school board chairman, and a champion for wind and solar energy. Idaho continues to top the national charts in terms of growth, and yet we’re currently facing a historic drought, the Idaho legislature made drastic cuts to transportation, water resources, and infrastructure, all while development applications hit unprecedented levels. Idaho needs practical commissioners and legislators who are ready to solve our most urgent problems, and it appears Idahoans are using their vote to demand that.
We are looking forward to working with counties so that farmers and small business owners have the flexibility to bring on wind and solar as a reliable revenue stream. Clean energy projects protect farms and rural communities by helping to lower rates and bring more energy onto the grid – especially in light of population growth, demand for data center projects, and other threats to Idaho’s energy independence.
CVI is proud to be the only conservation organization in Idaho that both supports pro-conservation candidates with endorsements, and works to elect them. We are happy to see the results of this primary, and are looking forward to the November 3rd general election.
– Alexis Pickering, CVI Executive Director