Little appoints state GOP committee member to fill Horman’s former House seat

Devin Bodkin | 01/09/2026

Gov. Brad Little on Friday appointed state Republican committee member Erin Bingham to fill Wendy Horman’s vacant House seat.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to be selected by Governor Little to represent my Idaho Falls community at home and in the Idaho Legislature,” Bingham said in a news release from the governor’s office Friday evening.

Bingham’s appointment comes days ahead of a legislative session primed for drama — and fills only part of the void left by Horman’s departure. In addition to Horman’s former representation of District 32 House Seat B, she left an open seat on the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for crafting Idaho’s annual budget.

Rep. Josh Tanner, R-Eagle, on Monday announced he’ll fill Horman’s JFAC seat. Tanner said he’ll give up his spot as House assistant majority leader. And since Tanner already had a spot on JFAC, House leadership must fill his former committee seat.

Bonneville County Republicans addressed their part of the shakeup Tuesday with three names for Little’s consideration to replace Horman. The other two contenders:

William Athay, third vice chair for the Bonneville Republicans
Stephanie Taylor-Thompson, a member of the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism

From left: William Athay, Legislative District 32 Chair Maria Hatch, Stephanie Taylor-Thompson, Erin Bingham and Bonneville Chair Mike Colson. (Photo Courtesy of Bonneville County Republicans)

Bingham is the chief financial officer of Bingham Ventures, a family-operated development organization, where she supports financial management and community-minded development.

Devin Bodkin

Devin Bodkin is our assistant managing editor and writes a parenting blog for EdNews. He has been a corporate editor for the Idaho National Laboratory and previously taught English at Blackfoot High School. He lives in Blackfoot with his wife and six children.