Who's running in Idaho's 2nd congressional district
5 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.
5 candidates · ballot order · Mike Simpson 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.
Lowering taxes and regulations, including the 2025 law's tax cuts on tips and overtime and eliminating the estate tax.
Energy independence and opposing what he calls 'the Democrat's war on fossil fuels.'
Farm workforce immigration reform, including year-round guest worker visas, alongside a border wall and removing people here illegally who commit crimes.
Keeping public lands in public hands; he co-sponsored the Public Lands in Public Hands Act.
Market-based health reforms, association health plans, and protecting Medicare and Medicaid while rooting out waste.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Idaho's 2nd District since January 1999; re-elected with 61.4% in 2024.
Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment.
Co-sponsored the Farm Workforce Modernization Act; signed on to the 2026 Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act.
Won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary with about 63%.
Raised over $1.1 million through June 30, 2026, more than $600,000 of it from PACs; endorsed by President Trump, AIPAC and Log Cabin Republicans, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
'My experience and ability working with diverse groups and individuals are strengths that I've used, and will continue to use, to help Idaho. My experience working at the local, state, and federal level has allowed me to work with nearly every group and many individuals across Idaho.'
— Rep. Mike Simpson (Idaho Capital Sun)
President Trump has endorsed Simpson for re-election.
— President Donald Trump, per Wikipedia's race page
Arguments against
Simpson seems to be 'out of touch with our concerns over affordability and the endless wars that we're fighting around the world.'
— Will Johanson, Libertarian opponent (Idaho Capital Sun)
'As we approach $40 trillion in debt, it seems ridiculous to me that anyone in office would even consider voting yes on this $1.4 trillion debacle' — the farm bill Simpson voted for; bipartisan deals 'have brought us to the brink of economic disaster.'
— Perry Shumway, Republican primary opponent (Idaho Capital Sun)
What we couldn’t verify
Simpson's campaign did not respond to the Idaho Capital Sun's interview requests for its general election story.
Debate plans had not been reported in a loaded source.
Restoring the Medicaid cuts in the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act 'or find an alternate solution', and more federal funding for rural hospitals.
Trade school parity and standing with Idaho agriculture.
Secure borders plus industry-specific expansion of H-2A visas for year-round work such as dairies.
Protecting public lands and water, with transparency and local benefit required for data centers on public land.
Restoring constitutional balance and accountability.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
Won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary; opponent Julie Wiley withdrew in March and endorsed her.
Raised nearly $107,000 through June 30, 2026, with no PAC contributions reported.
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 Gilbreath by a named outside group, party or opponent was found, so none is listed; her case is in her positions. Searched: 'Ellie Gilbreath' and 'Elinor Gilbreath' with Simpson, Idaho Republican Party, endorsement and criticism; Idaho Capital Sun, Idaho Press, Idaho State Journal, Post Register and Idaho Mountain Express coverage.
Her campaign website address was not confirmed from a loaded page.
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. Mike Simpson won his primary with about 63% over Brian Keene and Perry Shumway; Democrat Ellie Gilbreath won after Julie Wiley withdrew and endorsed her. Libertarian Will Johanson and independents Tripp Hutchinson and Emre Houser are also on the ballot, per the Idaho Capital Sun. The Constitution Party candidate, Carta Sierra Law, known as the 'Idaho Lorax', registered for the race but died in June 2026, the Idaho State Journal reported, per the Idaho Capital Sun; whether the name remains on the ballot was not confirmed, so that candidate is not listed. The Secretary of State's certified candidate list was not loaded. Write-in candidates are not listed. The district covers eastern Idaho and eastern and northern Boise. Simpson won 61.4% in 2024. Candidates are listed Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, then independents 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.