Over the past month, EdNews profiled two legislative races in each of Idaho’s three key swing districts that have a mix of Democrats and Republicans in office.
These are the battlegrounds where seats are most likely to flip from one party to another: District 15 in west Boise, District 26 in central Idaho and District 29 in Pocatello.
Here’s a roundup of all six of those profiles, along with two stories from more conservative districts with notable races.
District 15: West Boise
Longtime Boise trustee faces Idaho’s PTA secretary
Who is running: Republican Sen. Codi Galloway did not seek re-election this year. Democrat Nancy Gregory, who just ended a 24-year run as a trustee for the Boise School District, and Republican Desi Burbank, a mother of six and the secretary of the Idaho PTA, are running to fill Galloway’s seat.
Why it matters: The Senate seat flipped from Democrat to Republican control two years ago, when a Constitution Party candidate was on the ballot. No third-party candidates are running this year, and no returning legislator has incumbency advantage. Both Gregory and Burbank have experience in education. Burbank wants to advocate for parents. Gregory wants the Legislature to be more responsible, transparent and predictable.
Outspoken Democrat, conservative Republican face off in West Boise
Who is running: Four-term Rep. Steve Berch, D-Boise, is running for re-election against Republican Steve Keyser, a retired police officer and father of Sen. Josh Keyser, R-Meridian.
Why it matters: Berch has raised the most money of all legislative candidates and frequently opposes the Republican supermajority. He has raised $250,165 this cycle compared to Keyser’s $45,770. Keyser is running to represent the conservative perspective in District 15, arguing that Berch is a tax-and-spend liberal.
District 26: Blaine, Jerome and Lincoln counties
Three-way race pits GOP incumbent against educator, independent
Who is running: Rep. Mike Pohanka, R-Jerome, faces a three-way race against Democrat Anita Janis and independent Christian conservative Bella Schiffler.
Why it matters: Schiffler could leverage conservative votes from Pohanka. That’s what happened two years ago when Schiffler’s aunt, Kala Tate, ran for Senate. Schiffler told EdNews that she opposes “woke ideology” and would be in favor of eliminating women’s right to vote if it would bring the country closer to God.
History professor and ‘Liberty Alliance’ chairman compete for open seat
Who is running: Rep. Jack Nelsen, R-Jerome, is not seeking re-election this year. Republican Lyle Johnstone, chairman of the Magic Valley Liberty Alliance, and Democrat Kevin Marsh, a retired history professor, will compete.
Why it matters: Nelsen often shirked the GOP party line and voted his conscience. Johnstone is a hardline conservative who co-founded a nonprofit that named Nelsen the 2025 “RINO of the Year,” meaning Republican In Name Only. As a historian, Marsh said he would consider multiple perspectives before coming to a decision.
District 29: Pocatello
Child welfare lawyer challenges Republican focused on medical education
Who is running: Democrat Mary Shea, an attorney with 27 years of experience, is challenging Republican Rep. Dustin Manwaring, who has practiced law for 17 years, for a third time.
Why it matters: Voters in 2024 picked Manwaring by a 10.4-percentage-point margin over Shea. But she thinks this year is different, with an abortion voter initiative on the ballot and a Republican supermajority that she said has led the state in the wrong direction. Manwaring sits on the Legislature’s budget-setting committee and has worked to close the gap in Idaho’s physician shortage.
Former lawmaker battles Republican who ousted his successor
Who is running: Republican Jennifer Miles, a social worker who ousted Rep. Tanya Burgoyne in the May primary, will face Democrat Nate Roberts, a union electrician who previously held the seat.
Why it matters: GOP primary voters chose the more moderate Miles over Burgoyne. Is there enough dissatisfaction in the general electorate to pick a Democrat over a Republican?
Non-swing districts
District 22: Married lesbians challenge Republican majority leaders in Meridian
Married lesbians challenge GOP leaders in their political debut
Who is running: Karlie Easley is running against Senate Majority Leader Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian, and Amanda Easley is running against House Majority Leader Jason Monks, also R-Meridian.
Why it matters: Den Hartog and Monks were co-sponsors of the $50 million Parental Choice Tax Credit in 2025. They both won re-election in 2024 with 66% of the vote. The Easleys have taken to social media and door knocking to reach voters. The chair of the Democratic National Committee, Ken Martin, has noticed the Easleys’ campaign and joined them for a campaign event in October. Will the Easleys’ campaign strategy be enough to wrest control from GOP leadership in a typically safe Republican district?
District 25: A new coalition from Twin Falls
Primary upheaval, resignation will bring three new faces to the Statehouse
Who is running: There are no incumbents on the ballot in District 25, encompassing the city of Twin Falls. On the Republican slate, businessman Casey Swensen is running alongside City Council members Grayson Stone and Cherie Vollmer. They will face Democrats Lane Startin, Marla Palmer and independent Liyah Babayan, respectively.
Why it matters: Magic Valley voters in 2024 elected several hardline conservative candidates, three of whom lost their primaries to more moderate Republicans in District 24 and 25. Longtime Rep. Lance Clow resigned last year, leaving no elder statesmen to represent the city. Swensen said the new lawmakers will have to work together as a coalition to be effective.
