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Brad Little

Republican candidate for Governor, Idaho · Incumbent

Governor of Idaho (incumbent); rancher

Brad Little is the Republican governor of Idaho. He has held the office since January 2019 and is running for a third term. He won the Republican nomination in the May 19, 2026 primary, and on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot he faces Democrat Terri Pickens, independent John Stegner, and other candidates.

Where Little stands

K-12 education funding: His campaign says he has overseen 'historic investments' in K-12 schools, a 70% increase over eight years. These include a 2024 law putting $1.5 billion into school facilities and $410 million for education approved in a 2022 special session.
Education priorities for a third term: Says he will focus on literacy, student outcomes, teacher quality, career readiness, and giving parents and students more choice. His goal is a system known by 2030 for preparing students for the future economy.
Private school choice: In 2025 he signed House Bill 93, which created a $50 million tax credit program for private school expenses.
Higher education and career training: Supports Idaho Launch, which gives high school graduates up to $8,000 for college or career-technical training.
Teachers' unions: In April 2026 he signed House Bill 516, which bars schools from giving public support to teachers' unions. He also said some of its definitions were 'overly broad and ambiguous.'
Transgender athletes: Signed Idaho's 2020 law banning transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law in 2026, and his campaign features it in a TV ad.
Nuclear waste and the aquifer: In talks about a nuclear campus, said protecting Idaho's aquifer is nonnegotiable. These talks could bring nuclear waste shipments into Idaho.
Regulation: Says his administration made Idaho the least regulated state in the nation (2026 State of the State).
Forest management: Supports the State of Idaho's expanded partnership with the federal government to speed up forest management across the state.

Background

Governor of Idaho, 2019–present
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho, 2009–2019
Idaho State Senate, 2001–2009
Rancher
Has held public office for about 25 years
Age 72 (as of October 2026)

In the news

Arco to host Governor Little’s ‘Capital for a Day’ event Thursday Office of the Governor, October 20, 2026
Gov. Little signs executive order to cut red tape for Idaho farmers and ranchers during harvest Office of the Governor, October 10, 2026
The governor’s race: Little lays low, while two opponents look for a breakthrough Idaho Education News, October 8, 2026
Pickens, Stegner pledge policy changes in Idaho gubernatorial candidate forum Idaho Capital Sun, October 6, 2026

Also running for Governor

Terri Pickens Democratic
Pro-Life Constitution
Paul Sand Libertarian
John R. Stegner Independent

Sources

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.