CORRECTION: The original post of this blog inaccurately said Jeff Agenbroad plans to get back into state politics, based on his updated Idaho Sunshine filings. He has not publicly made plans to run and has only declared a campaign treasurer for election year 2026 on the Sunshine filings, which is required if a candidate wants to keep the account open.

All of the pieces on the board for the May primaries won’t officially be set until the filing period in late February ends, but more candidates are filing Idaho Sunshine reports weekly.

EdNews is checking the reports to capture who is making plans to run for the Legislature. The filings list potential candidates who have submitted financial forms to declare a campaign treasurer, which is required before a candidate accepts donations.

Check our Ballot Beat blog daily for regular updates on the this year’s elections.

Here are some of the latest filings:

New challengers for the far-right ‘Gang of Eight’

Three members of the group of hardline conservatives who support spending cuts and maintenance-only budget requests have new apparent challengers.

District 8 House Seat B: Valley, Boise, Elmore, Custer counties

• Brian Beckley, chair of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Board, resigned from his position on Jan. 5 and plans on challenge Rep. Faye Thompson, R-McCall. Beckley appointed a campaign treasurer on Jan. 2.
  • • Beckley, a Republican from Glenns Ferry, raised $11,000 from Jan. 9 to 12, including $1,000 from the Idaho Dairy Industry Political Action Committee. 
    • Thompson has raised $6,710. She co-sponsored a bill last year to require public schools to read the Bible.

District 8 Senate: Valley, Boise, Elmore, Custer counties

• Former representative Terry Gestrin appointed a campaign treasurer on Jan. 9 for senator in District 8, held by Sen. Christy Zito, R-Mountain Home.
  • • Gestrin, a Donnelly resident, was appointed to the House in 2012 and lost his primary race in 2022.
    • Gestrin served on the House Education committee.

District 11 House Seat A: Caldwell

• Rep. Kent Marmon, R-Caldwell, will likely face two primary challengers.
• After a failed campaign for Caldwell City Council in November, Carlos Hernandez is interested in unseating Marmon. He appointed a campaign treasurer on Jan. 7.
  • BoiseDev reported in October that Hernandez is the former chief financial officer for Eastern Washington University.
  • Nicole Hyland — a self-described Christian, dedicated wife, loving mom and proud Caldwell resident — also has an active account in Idaho Sunshine to face Marmon in May.