BALLOT BEAT

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.

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

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

Gov. Brad Little hasn’t officially announced another run for office, but his growing campaign war chest leaves little room for questions.

The governor recently passed $1 million — more than all state legislative candidates combined, according to Idaho campaign finance website Idaho Sunshine.

Just one other gubernatorial candidate has reported raising money. Democrat Terri Pickens has $23,000 to Little’s $1.1 million. 

A driver of Little’s trove: the Idaho business community. The Idaho Automobile Dealers Association, the Idaho Association of Realtors and the Idaho Association of Bankers each floated Little maxed-out $10,000 donations.

All Pickens’ donations come from individuals.

Three Republicans with eyes on Little’s office have filed financial forms with the secretary of state, a precursor to running for office, but none have recorded fundraising. Jordan Chirat of Meridian, Lisa Marie of Boise and Justin Plante of Kimberly start with a massive fundraising deficit against Little.

Critchfield and some lawmakers rack up dollars

Business funds are flowing to other closely watched candidates. State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield announced her run for a second term Wednesday. Her fundraising tally to date: $71,999.10, including a $5,000 contribution from Micron Technology.

Critchfield has no primary challenger yet, but Idaho Democrats say they’ll prioritize a state superintendent race for November.

Meanwhile, the state’s campaign finance portal lists 174 incumbents and challengers vying for 105 seats in the state House and Senate, but races won’t be set until the Feb. 23-27 filing period ends.

And the money is heating up, with legislative candidates raising a combined $917,000. Here are the top 10 fundraisers in the Legislature, as of Jan. 6:

1. House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star: $48,050
2. Assistant Minority Leader Steve Berch, D-Boise: $47,000
3. Senate President Pro Tem Kelly Anthon, R-Rupert: $43,000
4. Sen. C. Scott Grow, R-Eagle: $39,000
5. Majority Leader Jason Monks, R-Nampa: $35,100
6. Rep. John Shirts, R-Wesier: $33,000
7. Sen. Treg Bernt, R-Meridian: $31,000
8. Sen. Mark Harris, R-Soda Springs: $24,750
9. Sen. Camille Blaylock, R-Caldwell: $23,000
10. Sen. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon:  $21,250

Visit Idaho Sunshine to check the latest on campaign fundraising and spending.

Watch for ongoing updates on election money race on the Ballot Beat blog.