About this guide
Understanding Candidate Designations
This voter guide highlights candidates at two different levels, based on their engagement with IEA members, voting records (for incumbents), stated perspectives on education policy and participation in IEA’s endorsement process.
PACE-Endorsed Candidates
Candidates endorsed by IEA’s Political Action Committee for Education (PACE) have completed the full endorsement process and have earned the formal recommendation of IEA members. The structured, multi-step endorsement process includes:
• Completion of a candidate questionnaire on public education issues
• Participation in a candidate interview with local educators
• Candidate recommendation from local educators to PACE
• PACE vote to confer a formal endorsement
Read more about PACE and donate
Education-Friendly Candidates
These candidates have records, positions, or public statements that indicate they are supportive of public education. However, they have not completed the full PACE endorsement process, which may mean they have not yet submitted materials, participated in interviews or actively sought an endorsement.
The full list of education-friendly candidates, including those endorsed by PACE, can be found in the table at the bottom of this page.
PACE Endorsements
Voting Resources
Prepare to vote in the May 19 primary election.
PACE Endorsements
These candidates have received the official Political Action Committee for Education endorsement after completing a formal review process led by educators across Idaho. Their positions, experience, and engagement reflect a strong commitment to public education.
North-Central Idaho (Districts 6–7)
Moscow, Lewiston
* Incumbent
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| Lori McCann* (R) State Sen. | District 6 |
Bryce Blankenship (D) House Rep. | District 6A |
Kathy Dawes (D) House Rep. | District 6B |
| Votes on Key Bills: | No Voting Record | No Voting Record |
| HB 516aaS1: No HB 932: No SB 12883: Yes |
Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | ||
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| Michael G. Collins* (R) House Rep. | District 7A |
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| No Voting Record | ||
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | ||
Southwest Idaho (Districts 8–22)
Boise, Nampa, Caldwell
* Incumbent
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| Carlos Hernandez (R) House Rep. | District 11A |
Valerie Ruxton (D) House Rep. | District 14B |
Nancy Gregory (D) State Sen. | District 15 |
| No Voting Record | No Voting Record | No Voting Record |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. |
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| Steve Berch* (D) House Rep. | District 15A |
Jae Etchart (D) House Rep. | District 15B |
Soñia Galaviz* (D) State Sen. | District 16 |
| Votes on Key Bills: | No Voting Record | Votes on Key Bills: |
| HB 516aaS1: No HB 932: No SB 12883: Yes |
Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | HB 516aaS1: No HB 932: No SB 12883: Yes |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | |
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| Jeffrey Watkins (D) House Rep. | District 16A |
James Petzke* (R) State Rep. | District 21A |
Karlie Easley (D) State Sen. | District 22 |
| No Voting Record | Votes on Key Bills: | No Voting Record |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | HB 516aaS1: No HB 932: No SB 12883: Yes |
Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | ||
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| Loren Petty (D) House Rep. | District 22A |
Amanda Easley (D) House Rep. | District 22B |
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| No Voting Record | No Voting Record | |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | |
South-Central Idaho (Districts 23–27)
Twin Falls, Jerome
* Incumbent
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| Brent D. Reinke (R) State Sen. | District 24 |
Alexandra Caval (D) State Rep. | District 24A |
Chance Requa (R) House Rep. | District 24B |
| No Voting Record | No Voting Record | No Voting Record |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. |
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| Casey Swensen (R) State Sen. | District 25 |
Cherie Vollmer House Rep. | District 25B |
Ron Taylor* (D) State Sen. | District 26 |
| No Voting Record | No Voting Record | Votes on Key Bills: |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | HB 516aaS1: No HB 932: No SB 12883: Yes |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | ||
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| Mike Pohanka* (R) State Rep. | District 26A |
Kevin Marsh (D) House Rep. | District 26B |
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| Votes on Key Bills: | No Voting Record | |
| HB 516aaS1: No HB 932: No SB 12883: Yes |
Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. |
Eastern Idaho (Districts 28–35)
Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Rexburg
* Incumbent
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| Jim Guthrie* (R) State Sen. | District 28 |
Rick Cheatum* (R) House Rep. | District 28A |
Dan Garner* (R) State Rep. | District 28B |
| Votes on Key Bills: | Votes on Key Bills: | Votes on Key Bills: |
| HB 516aaS1: No HB 932: No SB 12883: Yes |
HB 516aaS1: Yes HB 932: No SB 12883: Yes |
HB 516aaS1: No HB 932: No SB 12883: Yes |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. |
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| James Ruchti* (D) State Sen. | District 29 |
Mary Shea (D) House Rep. | District 29A |
Nate Roberts (D) House Rep. | District 29B |
| Votes on Key Bills: | No Voting Record | No Voting Record |
| HB 516aaS1: No HB 932: No SB 12883: Yes |
Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | ||
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| Connor Cook (R) House Rep. | District 33A |
Marco Erickson* (R) House Rep. | District 33B |
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| No Voting Record | Votes on Key Bills: | |
| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. | HB 516aaS1: No HB 932: No SB 12883: Yes |
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| Extensive vetting conducted by educators and PACE. |
Resources
- House Bill 516aaS is a union-busting bill that restricts educators’ ability to advocate and organize. Passed and signed into law in 2026.
- House Bill 93 created Idaho's first voucher program to divert public funds to private education with little accountability. Passed and signed into law in 2025.
- Senate Bill 1288 established a limited fund to support high-cost special education needs. Passed and signed into law in 2026.
Education-Friendly Candidates
The candidates listed below have demonstrated a pro–public education stance based on their voting record, public statements, campaign platforms, or engagement with educators. This table excludes candidates in uncontested races, where the primary election outcome is already determined. For incumbent candidates, we have included their votes on key education bills from the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions. This list is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute a formal endorsement.
| District | Incumbent | Office | Name | Party | HB 516aaS Vote | HB 93 Vote | SB 1288 Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes | Senate | Jim Woodward | R | no | no | yes |
| 1 | Yes | House A | Mark Sauter | R | no | no | yes |
| 1 | No | House B | Chuck Lowman | R | - | - | - |
| 2 | No | House B | Todd Perry | R | - | - | - |
| 4 | No | House B | Christa Hazel | R | - | - | - |
| 6 | No | Senate | Richard Gayler | D | - | - | - |
| 6 | No | House A | Bryce Blankenship | D | - | - | - |
| 6 | No | House B | Kathy Dawes | D | - | - | - |
| 6 | Yes | Senate | Lori McCann | R | no | no | yes |
| 6 | No | House A | Cindy Agidius | R | - | - | - |
| 7 | No | House A | Michael Collins | R | - | - | - |
| 8 | No | Senate | Meagan Blanksma | R | - | - | - |
| 8 | No | House B | Brian Beckley | R | - | - | - |
| 11 | No | House A | Carlos Hernandez | R | - | - | - |
| 11 | No | House B | Debbie Geyer | R | - | - | - |
| 13 | No | House B | Kody Daffer | R | - | - | - |
| 16 | Yes | Senate | Sonia Galaviz | D | no | no | yes |
| 16 | No | House A | Jeffrey Watkins | D | - | - | - |
| 20 | No | Senate | Richard Marsh | R | - | - | - |
| 23 | No | House A | Melissa Durrant | R | - | - | - |
| 24 | No | Senate | Brent Reinke | R | - | - | - |
| 24 | No | House A | Alexandra Caval | R | - | - | - |
| 24 | No | House B | Chance Requa | R | - | - | - |
| 25 | No | Senate | Casey Swensen | R | - | - | - |
| 25 | No | House A | Grayson Stone | R | - | - | - |
| 25 | No | House B | Cherie Vollmer | R | - | - | - |
| 26 | Yes | House A | Mike Pohanka | R | no | no | yes |
| 28 | Yes | Senate | Jim Guthrie | R | no | no | yes |
| 28 | Yes | House A | Rick Cheatum | R | yes | no | yes |
| 29 | No | House B | Jennifer Miles | R | - | - | - |
| 30 | Yes | Senate | Julie VanOrden | R | no | no | yes |
| 30 | Yes | House B | Ben Fuhriman | R | no | no | yes |
| 31 | Yes | House B | Rod Furniss | R | yes | no | yes |
| 32 | Yes | House A | Stephanie Mickelsen | R | no | no | yes |
| 32 | Yes | House B | Erin Bingham | R | no | - | yes |
| 33 | No | House A | Connor Cook | R | - | - | - |
| 33 | Yes | House B | Marco Erickson | R | no | no | yes |
| 34 | Yes | House B | Britt Raybould | R | no | no | yes |
| 35 | Yes | House A | Mike Veile | R | no | - | yes |
Key Dates for the 2026 Primary Election
"Party Primary Elections to select party candidates for federal, state, and county offices are held in even-numbered years on the third Tuesday in May. Those candidates who receive the most votes during the primary election go on to run in the general election. Your party choice can affect which primary election races you are eligible to vote in" (Idaho Secretary of State, VoteIdaho.Gov). May 19 is election day, but there are a number of important dates to keep in mind for the May Matters campaign.
Early Voting
Monday, April 27
Early voting may begin in those counties that choose to conduct early voting.
Early Voting / Registration
Friday, May 8
Absentee ballot application deadline — must be received by the county clerk by 5 p.m. local time. Voter pre-registrations must be received by the county clerk by 5 p.m. local time for the primary election.
Early Voting
Friday, May 15
In person, early absentee/early voting ends at 5 p.m.
ELECTION DAY!
Tuesday, May 19
Polling places — and the county clerk’s office — to be open 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Qualified individuals may register and vote at their designated polling place on election day. Voted absentee ballots must be received by the county clerk by 8 p.m., for the May 19 election.
Contribute to PACE
You can help elect common-sense legislators who will champion Idaho’s public schools by donating to the Political Action Committee for Education.
MAY MATTERS
Learn more about IEA's campaign to restore a pro-public education majority to the Idaho Legislature.
