Veteran Lawmaker to Step Down Ahead of 2026 Session
Idaho State Rep. Wendy Horman announced Friday that she will resign from the Idaho Legislature to accept a federal appointment in Washington, D.C. Her resignation will take effect on January 5, one week before the 2026 legislative session begins.
Horman, a Republican from Idaho Falls, has served seven terms in the House of Representatives and is currently a co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, the Legislature’s primary budget-setting body.
Transition Comes as State Faces Budget Pressures
Horman’s departure comes as Idaho lawmakers prepare to address projected budget shortfalls in the coming fiscal years. Budget documents show the state is expected to face a deficit in fiscal year 2026, with significantly larger gaps projected for fiscal year 2027.
Under the Idaho Constitution, the state is required to pass a balanced budget each year. Legislative leaders have said they will take action to ensure spending does not exceed revenues.
New Role at Health and Human Services
Horman said she will become director of the Office of Child Care within the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She expects to begin the role later in January.
The office operates under the Assistant Secretary for Family Support, a position currently held by Alex Adams, a former Idaho budget administrator and former director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Horman said the position will allow her to continue focusing on children and families while applying principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility at the national level.
Longtime Influence on Idaho’s Budget Process
First elected in 2012, Horman has served on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee for more than a decade and became its House co-chair ahead of the 2023 legislative session.
During her tenure, she played a central role in restructuring the budget process, including separating maintenance spending from growth spending. Legislative leaders said those changes improved transparency and accountability during periods of revenue volatility.
Before joining the Legislature, Horman served on a local school board in the Idaho Falls area.
Reaction from State Leadership
House Speaker Mike Moyle praised Horman’s work, describing her as a key figure in modernizing Idaho’s budget process. He said her departure would be difficult to replace, particularly given the timing.
Governor Brad Little also issued a statement congratulating Horman on her federal appointment and thanked her for years of public service, particularly her focus on education and child care.
Her Senate counterpart on the budget committee, Sen. Scott Grow, said Horman brought institutional knowledge and discipline to a committee responsible for managing billions of dollars in state spending.
Vacancies to Be Filled Ahead of Session
Horman’s resignation creates two immediate vacancies: her legislative seat and her position as House co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
Under Idaho law, the Republican legislative district committee in District 32 will submit three names to the governor, who will appoint a replacement to serve through the end of Horman’s term in 2026. The seat will be up for election in the next general election cycle.
House leadership will also appoint a new budget co-chair. Speaker Moyle has said the decision will be made quickly due to the committee’s workload at the start of the legislative session.
Legacy and Legislative Priorities
Horman has said education funding was her top priority while serving in the Legislature. During her time on the budget committee, funding for public schools more than doubled, with investments in teacher pay, benefits, literacy initiatives, and classroom technology.
She also emphasized efforts to modernize the budget process to focus on efficiency, accountability, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
Related Coverage
- Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
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