Gov. Brad Little has officially lost support of the teachers’ union after he signed a “union-busting” bill earlier this month.
The Idaho Education Association (IEA) issued a vote of no confidence in the Republican governor over the weekend. Members “overwhelmingly” supported the motion as part of IEA’s Delegate Assembly, the union’s annual business meeting, according to a news release.
The rebuke comes after Little signed House Bill 516, legislation that heavily restricts the ways school districts can accommodate a broad range of “union activities.”
“Our members have spoken clearly,” IEA President Layne McInelly said in the news release. “They are angry and frustrated with the governor. They feel his choice to sign House Bill 516, when there were so many reasons to veto it, is a betrayal of his claims to be a supporter of Idaho’s educators and public schools.”
In a statement through a spokesperson Tuesday, Little pointed to billions of dollars in “transformative investments” in public schools that he has supported in recent years. Little also listed the investments in an April 10 transmittal letter explaining that he signed HB 516, despite concerns with the bill.
“I have always valued the critical role educators play in shaping our students’ success,” Little said by email Tuesday. “We have made significant improvements by increasing state support for education by nearly 70% since I took office, including major gains in teacher pay and benefits. I remain focused on building on that progress and will continue working with educators to strengthen our schools and support student outcomes across Idaho.”
IEA members endorsed Little in the 2018 general election and during the 2022 GOP primary. Little is running for reelection this year — this time, without the union’s support amid a crowded primary field.
The last time IEA publicly withdrew its support for an elected leader was in 2024. The union rescinded its 2022 endorsement of Rep. Ted Hill, R-Eagle, after he sponsored bills “that ran directly counter to IEA members’ pro-public education policy priorities and IEA member interests.”
Union members over the weekend also contemplated revoking Little’s “Champion of Education” award but kept it in place. Little received the recognition in 2024. Other recent winners include former Rep. Julie Yamamoto, a Republican from Caldwell (2023); Quinn Perry, deputy director of the Idaho School Boards Association (2025); and former Rep. Jack Nelsen, a Republican from Jerome (2026).
“The governor should not share this award with people who truly champion education and our members,” IEA organizer Peggy Hoy said in the news release.
