Who's running in Idaho's 1st congressional district
4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
4 candidates · ballot order · Russ Fulcher currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
More state and local involvement in managing Idaho's federal public lands; he says 'I do not' want to sell them.
A 'voluntary parallel path' to the Affordable Care Act that would pay the benefit directly to people to choose their own coverage.
Opposing immigration proposals that include amnesty, while adjusting guest worker programs state by state and industry by industry.
Energy independence and election security.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Idaho's 1st District since January 2019; re-elected with 71.0% in 2024.
Idaho Senate for 10 years; 24 years at Micron Technology and Preco Electronics.
Won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary with about 78%.
In a May 2025 committee vote, supported an amendment to the budget bill to sell federal land in Nevada and Utah; it was not in the final law.
Voted against the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.
Raised more than $660,000 from Jan. 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, about $300,000 of it from PACs; endorsed by President Trump and AIPAC, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
'We're making some progress, and when I say progress, I'm talking about major issues to Idaho, and I'm positioned pretty well to continue that effort.'
— Rep. Russ Fulcher (Idaho Capital Sun)
President Trump has endorsed Fulcher for re-election.
— President Donald Trump, per Wikipedia's race page
Arguments against
Fulcher has declined her debate invitations for four years, and constituents harmed by current policies have lacked the chance to see him in person: 'I care about whether or not you will show up and do the work.'
— Kaylee Peterson, Democratic opponent (Idaho Capital Sun, Idaho State Journal)
'We've watched Idaho's congressional delegation chip away at the federal agencies and staffing responsible for managing that land, and then complain about the maintenance backlog.'
— Kaylee Peterson, Democratic opponent (Idaho Capital Sun)
Transferring federal land management to the state is a mistake: 'The state doesn't have the resources, the wherewithal to manage the (federal) public lands.'
— Sarah Zabel, independent opponent (Idaho Capital Sun)
What we couldn’t verify
Whether Fulcher will join the October 17 debate had not been reported; his office did not respond to reporters.
No DCCC material on Fulcher was found; the seat is not on a Democratic target list in any loaded source.
Single-payer 'Medicare for all' baseline coverage alongside private insurance options.
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act, more immigration judges and faster legal immigration.
Restoring staffing at the agencies that manage public lands, and expanding timber markets to reduce wildfire risk.
Restoring government accountability and trust and 'building a labor-first economy.'
Public debates between all candidates.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office; Democratic nominee for this seat in 2022 and 2024.
Won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary with about 87%.
Raised just over $181,000 through June 30, 2026, including $11,000 from machinists' and plumbers' and pipefitters' union PACs.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published argument for or against Peterson by a named outside group, party or opponent was found, so none is listed; her case is in her positions. Searched: 'Kaylee Peterson' with Fulcher, Idaho Republican Party, endorsement and criticism; Idaho Capital Sun, Idaho Press, Idaho State Journal, Idaho Statesman and Spokesman-Review coverage.
Her campaign website address was not confirmed from a loaded page.
Lowering health costs by breaking up hospital systems that eliminate competition, expanding what nurse practitioners and physician assistants may do, and requiring price transparency.
Restoring aid similar to the expired enhanced ACA premium tax credits for those most affected.
The Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act for year-round farm visas, and similar visas for construction and hospitality.
Keeping federal public lands federal, with more federal resources for management, as 'a public trust.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
US Air Force for 31 years; retired as a major general; formerly at the RAND Corporation.
Raised nearly $81,500 through June 30, 2026, including $60,000 in loans from herself.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No coverage making a case for or against Zabel by a named outside group or opponent was found.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Idaho's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. The map did not change for 2026: the districts adopted by Idaho's independent redistricting commission after the 2020 census, which the Idaho Supreme Court upheld in February 2022, remain in use, and no mid-decade redraw or pending congressional map case was found. Primaries were held May 19, 2026. Republican Rep. Russ Fulcher won his primary with about 78% over Andy Briner and Joseph Morrison; Democrat Kaylee Peterson won about 87% over Kenneth Brungardt. Constitution Party nominee Brendan Gomez and independent Sarah Zabel, a retired Air Force major general, are also on the ballot, per the Idaho Capital Sun. The Secretary of State's certified candidate list was not loaded. Write-in candidates are not listed. The district covers the Idaho Panhandle and western Idaho, including the western Boise area. Fulcher won 71.0% in 2024. Peterson has scheduled an October 17 debate and invited Fulcher and Zabel; Zabel plans to attend, and Fulcher had not responded. Candidates are listed Republican, Democratic, Constitution, independent as in published listings; that is not verified ballot order and implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Idaho ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.