Brad Little Wins Idaho GOP Governor Primary, Setting Up Race Against Democrat Terri Pickens
Gov. Brad Little won Idaho's Republican gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, defeating seven challengers to secure the GOP nomination.[1]
Democrats picked small-business owner Terri Pickens as their nominee, setting up a November matchup with the incumbent.[2]
President Donald Trump gave Little a proactive "complete and total endorsement" before Little publicly announced his re-election bid.[1] Little ran for a third term on promises of deregulation, school choice and tax cuts, and the Cook Political Report rates the November race as "solid Republican." Fox News
Earlier in 2026, Little signed a bill imposing criminal penalties on transgender people who use bathrooms or locker rooms that do not correspond with their biological sex, extending the ban to private businesses.[1] He also signed a law blocking public schools from supporting certain teachers union activities with taxpayer dollars.[1]
The general election in November will decide whether Little secures a third term in the solidly Republican-leaning state.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Gov. Brad Little defeated seven challengers to win Idaho's Republican gubernatorial primary (Gov. Brad Little).
- President Donald Trump gave Little a proactive "complete and total endorsement" before Little publicly announced his re-election bid (President Donald Trump).
- Little campaigned for a third term on deregulation, school choice and tax cuts, and the Cook Political Report rates his November race as "solid Republican" (Cook Political Report).
- Earlier in 2026, Little signed a bill imposing criminal penalties on transgender people who use bathrooms or locker rooms that do not correspond with their biological sex, extending the ban to private businesses (a bill).
- Little also signed a law blocking public schools from supporting certain teachers union activities with taxpayer dollars (a law).
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Gov. Brad Little defeated seven challengers to win Idaho's Republican gubernatorial primary, according to the Associated Press.
- President Donald Trump gave Little a proactive 'complete and total endorsement' before Little publicly announced his re-election bid.
- Little signed a bill earlier in 2026 imposing criminal penalties on transgender people who use bathrooms or locker rooms that do not correspond with their biological sex, extending the ban to private businesses.
- Little also recently signed a law blocking public schools from supporting certain teachers union activities with taxpayer dollars.
- Little campaigned for a third term on deregulation, school choice and tax cuts, and Cook Political Report rates his November race as 'solid Republican.'