2024 Primary Election Candidate Endorsements
Each candidate listed below earned IEA’s endorsement in the coming primary elections held May 21 by representing the pro-education perspective and values of IEA members. Candidates earned these endorsements through interviews with IEA members and answering questionnaires about their positions on education policy.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Idaho’s primary elections on May 21.
IEA’s Political Action Committee for Education interviewed dozens of candidates seeking endorsement by IEA members during 2024’s election cycle, so far. Each was carefully considered for their views on public education policy.
IEA members believe good education policy is non-partisan, and this bi-partisan list of candidate endorsements reflects that principle. Pro-public education policy stances — not political party affiliation — are the primary requirement to earn an IEA member endorsement.
The list below includes endorsements in 27 legislative races across Idaho.
Please note: The endorsements listed below are for contested primary races only. More endorsements will be released following the primary elections, including candidates who are unopposed in the primary election.
Endorsed Candidates for Legislative Seats
DISTRICT 1
Boundary and Bonner counties
House Seat A
Mark Sauter – R
House Seat B
Chuck Lowman – R
Senate
Jim Woodward – R
DISTRICT 6
Lahah, Nez Perce, and Lewis counties
House Seat A
Lori McCann – R
Senate
Robert Blair – R
DISTRICT 8
Boise, Custer, Elmore, and Valley counties
House Seat A
Matt Bundy – R
Senate
Geoffrey Schroeder – R
DISTRICT 10
Ada and Canyon counties
Senate
Lori Bishop – R
DISTRICT 11
Canyon County
House A
Julie Yamamoto – R
House B
Sarah Chaney – R
DISTRICT 13
Canyon County
House B
Kenny Wroten – R
DISTRICT 15
Ada County
House B
Ivan Hurlburt – D
DISTRICT 16
Ada County
House B
Todd Achilles – D
Senate
Ali Rabe – D
DISTRICT 21
Ada County
House A
James Petzke – R
DISTRICT 22
Ada County
House B
Marissa Stevens Keith – R
DISTRICT 23
Owhyee, Ada and Canyon counties
House A
Melissa Durrant – R
DISTRICT 24
Gooding and Twin Falls counties
House A
Chenele Dixon – R
Senate
Alex Caval – R
DISTRICT 25
Twin Falls County
House B
Gregory Lanting – R
Senate
Linda Wright Hartgen – R
DISTRICT 26
Blaine, Lincoln, and Jerome counties
House B
Jack Nelson – R
DISTRICT 28
Bannock, Franklin, and Power counties
House A
Richard Cheatum – R
House B
Dan Garner – R
DISTRICT 31
Clark, Fremont, Jefferson and Lemhi counties
House B
Rod Furniss – R
DISTRICT 32
Bonneville County
House B
Sean Coletti
DISTRICT 35
Bannock, Bear Lake, Caribou and Teton counties
House B
Josh Wheeler – R