This story was first published in the Idaho Capital Sun
Retired Idaho Supreme Court Justice John Stegner officially kicked off his independent campaign for governor Tuesday, saying he entered the race because current state leaders have failed Idahoans.
“Those elected to listen, solve problems and serve the people of Idaho aren’t showing up the way they should,” Stegner said in a written statement. “And if we don’t change course, we risk losing what has always made this state special.”
Stegner will kick off his campaign with a public virtual Zoom meeting with voters at 6:30 p.m. Mountain time Thursday.
Stegner officially filed to run for office this year and has been actively building a campaign warchest.
As of Tuesday, Stegner reported raising the most of any candidate challenging incumbent Republican Gov. Brad Little this year, although Little has raised the most money of all this year.
2026 Idaho governor’s race, total campaign money raised in 2026
Republican Gov. Brad Little: $2.1 million
Independent John Stegner: $393,332
Republican Mark Fitzpatrick: $207,392
Democrat Terri Pickens: $139,934
Libertarian Paul Sand: $310
Pro-Life: $0
– Source, as of July 7, 2026: Sunshine, the only campaign finance database run by the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office.
Stegner served on Idaho Supreme Court until 2023
Stegner served as a judge for 25 years in Idaho. He was appointed as a district judge in Latah County in 1997 before former Gov. Butch Otter appointed Stegner to the Idaho Supreme Court in 2018. Stegner retired from the Idaho Supreme Court in 2023.
Stegner said he is running to restore confidence in Idaho government.
He said he would act independently, not yield to external or political pressure like he said current Idaho leaders do.
“I believe Idaho can do better, and I’m ready to do the work,” Stegner said.
Stegner is running against incumbent Republican Gov. Brad Little, Democrat Terri Pickens, Libertarian Paul Sand and a Constitution Party candidate who legally changed his name to Pro-Life in the Nov. 3 general election.
More information about Stegner is available online at www.StegnerforIdaho.com.
Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com.
