Idaho voters are casting ballots Tuesday in a governor's race that could cement Republican dominance in one of the nation's most conservative states. Incumbent Gov. Brad Little (R) is aiming for a third consecutive term, a feat made possible because Idaho is one of 13 states without gubernatorial term limits.
Little, a former lieutenant governor and state senator, first won the governorship in 2018. He cruised through the GOP primary this year, defeating Mark Fitzpatrick, a saloon owner and former police officer, by roughly 30 points. Little also enjoys the backing of former President Trump, a significant asset in a state where Trump remains highly popular.
The Democratic nominee is Terri Pickens, an attorney who previously ran for lieutenant governor in 2022. She captured her party's nomination with about 61 percent of the vote. Pickens faces an uphill battle in a state that hasn't elected a Democratic governor since Cecil Andrus won his fourth term in 1990—a 36-year losing streak.
Adding a twist to the contest is independent candidate John Stegner, a former Idaho Supreme Court justice. Stegner, once a Republican, argues that current state leaders are failing Idahoans and positions himself as a reform-minded alternative. His presence could siphon votes from either major-party candidate, though Idaho's deep red electorate favors Little.
Polls close at 10 p.m. EST, and results are expected to come in quickly given Idaho's relatively small population and widespread use of mail-in ballots. Political analysts will be watching whether Pickens can improve on recent Democratic performances, but the state's Republican tilt makes an upset unlikely.
The race is part of a broader set of gubernatorial contests across the country, including closely watched battles in Iowa, Arizona, and Georgia. While Idaho's outcome is not expected to shift the national balance, it will test the strength of Trump's endorsement and the durability of Republican control in the Gem State.
Little has campaigned on tax cuts, education funding, and conservative social policies, while Pickens has focused on healthcare access, public education, and what she calls "responsible governance." Stegner has emphasized judicial independence and ethics in government.
As results come in, voters will decide whether to extend Little's tenure or opt for a change in direction. The outcome will also signal how Idaho Republicans respond to Trump's influence in a post-primary environment.
