Idaho Holds Republican and Democratic Primaries on May 19

Idaho voters will go to the polls on May 19 to choose nominees for governor, both seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and one U.S. Senate seat. The state has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1974 or to the House since 2008.

Little, 72, is seeking a third term and faces seven challengers. Mark Fitzpatrick, a retired police officer and business owner, has raised the most money among the challengers and has sought county-level endorsements. Fitzpatrick has criticized Little over immigration policy and organized a "Hetero Awesomeness Fest" last year.

In the Democratic primary, former public defender Terri Pickens leads in fundraising among four candidates.

Fulcher is running for re-election in the first congressional district and faces two challengers who have reported limited campaign contributions. Kaylee Peterson leads Democratic fundraising in that district. Simpson has spent more than $600,000 on the campaign.

Perry Shumway is the only challenger to report fundraising to the Federal Election Commission. Ellie Gilbreath is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Risch, a former Idaho governor, is seeking a fourth term. His campaign has spent more than $1 million, exceeding the spending of his three Republican challengers. David Roth, a nonprofit worker who identifies as the first openly gay candidate to receive a statewide nomination in Idaho, is the leading Democratic fundraiser.

Republican primaries have featured contests between incumbents and challengers seeking to move the party further right. In 2022, Little defeated a challenge from then-Lieutenant Governor Janice McGeachin, who had been endorsed by Trump. Little later signed legislation banning mask mandates, after which he received Trump's endorsement for the current race.

All three Republican incumbents in federal races have received Trump's endorsement.