- Gov. Brad Little is running against Democrat Stephen Heidt in Idaho's gubernatorial race.
- Little signed one of the harshest abortions bills into law.
Republican incumbent Brad Little faces off against Democrat Stephen Heidt and a handful of third-party challengers in Idaho's gubernatorial election.
Idaho's gubernatorial candidates
Little, first elected in 2018, is seeking another term against a crowded slate of challengers. Prior to being elected governor, Little served for a decade as the state's lieutenant governor and four consecutive terms in the Idaho State Senate.
After the Justice Department announced it filed a lawsuit challenging Idaho's trigger law in 2022, Little responded with a statement, saying: "The U.S. Justice Department's interference with Idaho's pro-life law is another example of Biden overreaching yet again while he continues to ignore issues that really should demand his attention – like crushing inflation and the open border with Mexico."
Heidt, Little's challenger, is a native Idahoan who served in the US Army National Guard. His priorities include protecting rural Idaho, expanding the Idaho Medicaid Expansion program, fully funding public education, and abortion access.
He advanced from the Democratic primary with over 60% of the vote.
The other candidates in the race are Libertarian Paul Sand, Constitution Party nominee Chantyrose Davison, Independent Ammon Bundy and write-in candidate Lisa Marie.
Idaho's voting history
In 2020, Idaho backed former President Donald Trump over President Joe Biden by just over 30 percentage points. The ruby-red state has sided with Republicans for the last several decades, only voting for a Democrat once in 1964.
What experts say
The race between Little and Heidt is rated as "solid Republican" by Inside Elections, "solid Republican" by The Cook Political Report, and "safe Republican" by Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.