Two Republican Challengers Take On Incumbent Caribou County Commissioner in Idaho’s May Primary
Why It Matters
Caribou County residents will have a meaningful choice at the ballot box this spring, with two Republican challengers stepping forward to contest a sitting county commissioner seat. The race reflects a broader pattern of competitive local primary elections across Idaho, where voters are increasingly scrutinizing how county governments manage budgets, infrastructure, and natural resources. Idaho sample ballots are now available ahead of the May 19 primary, giving voters in Caribou County and across the state a chance to review their choices before Election Day.
What Happened
Incumbent Caribou County Commissioner Marty McCullough is facing a two-way Republican primary challenge from George Hulse and Tracy Davis, according to reporting by EastIdahoNews.com published April 28, 2026. The primary will be held on May 19, and the winner will advance to the general election on November 3.
McCullough did not respond to a candidate questionnaire distributed by EastIdahoNews.com. Both Hulse and Davis submitted responses, which were published in unedited form. The race is a closed Republican primary, meaning only registered Republicans in Caribou County will cast votes for this seat.
Meet the Challengers
George Hulse is a lifelong Caribou County resident who was born and raised in Soda Springs and Bancroft. He served in the U.S. Army, earned a degree from Idaho State University in Airframe and Power Plant studies, and retired from Monsanto after 38 years. Hulse has been married to his wife Trish for 55 years and has four children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. He reports more than 80 combined years of volunteer service, including time as a school board member, scoutmaster, hunter education instructor, and manager of the Bancroft Airport.
Tracy Davis is a small business owner who operates a diesel and equipment repair business, where he manages employees, budgets, and day-to-day operations. He also serves as a high school automotive instructor in a Career and Technical Education program. Davis is a husband and father who describes raising his family with strong values and accountability. He has not previously held public office.
By the Numbers
- 55 years — length of George Hulse’s marriage to his wife Trish
- 38 years — Hulse’s career at Monsanto before retirement
- 80+ combined years of volunteer service reported by Hulse across various community roles
- May 19 — date of the Republican primary election
- November 3 — date of the general election, when the primary winner will appear on the ballot
What the Candidates Are Saying
Hulse is running on a platform centered on property rights and reducing the tax burden on Caribou County residents. He identifies water access as the defining long-term challenge for the county, pledging to work with local farmers, water districts, and state lawmakers to protect water rights for agriculture, drinking, and recreation. He argued that rural communities like those in Caribou County are underrepresented in state-level water law decisions and said he intends to change that.
Davis is positioning himself as a results-oriented outsider unbeholden to career politics. His stated priorities include responsible budgeting, support for local businesses and agriculture, workforce development, and infrastructure maintenance. Davis emphasized transparent communication and called for county leadership that listens to all constituents regardless of political affiliation. “Partisan politics shouldn’t drive local government,” Davis stated in his questionnaire response. “Roads, budgets, and public safety are community priorities.”
Zoom Out
The Caribou County commissioner race is one of several competitive local contests shaping up across southeastern Idaho this spring. Competitive primaries at the county level often signal voter engagement with issues closer to home — property taxes, water rights, and rural infrastructure — that don’t always draw attention at the state or federal level. Nationally, outside spending groups have also begun targeting legislative races in Idaho, signaling that even smaller-market elections are drawing broader interest this cycle.
Water rights, in particular, are emerging as a flashpoint across the Mountain West, with agricultural communities facing increasing pressure from competing demands on limited water supplies.
What’s Next
Caribou County Republican voters will cast their ballots in the May 19 primary. The winner of the three-way race between McCullough, Hulse, and Davis will face any general election opponents on November 3. As of publication, incumbent Commissioner McCullough had not publicly responded to candidate questionnaires or outlined his case for re-election through the channels offered by local media.
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