Idaho Governor’s Race Draws 17 Candidates, with Incumbent Brad Little Leading in Fundraising
Why It Matters
With reliable polling scarce in Idaho, campaign fundraising totals have historically served as one of the strongest signals of candidate viability. As the 2026 governor’s race takes shape, the wide gap between incumbent Gov. Brad Little and the rest of the field suggests the race’s top tier is beginning to sort itself out — even as a crowded and unconventional group of challengers competes for attention.
What Happened
Seventeen candidates have filed to run for Idaho governor in 2026, making it one of the most crowded gubernatorial fields the state has seen in recent memory. The candidate list includes eight Republicans — among them Gov. Brad Little — three Democrats, two Libertarians, one Constitution Party member, and three independents.
As of late April, Little’s campaign had raised $1.7 million, a figure that far outpaces every other candidate in the race, according to Idaho Secretary of State campaign finance records posted on the Idaho Sunshine website. Independent candidate John Stegner ranked second with approximately $200,000 raised, while Republican Mark Fitzpatrick came in third at roughly $125,000.
Little has also out-spent his nearest competitors. His campaign has reported approximately $480,000 in expenditures this cycle — more than the combined fundraising totals of both Stegner and Fitzpatrick.
By the Numbers
- $1.7 million raised by Gov. Brad Little’s campaign as of late April 2026
- $1.2 million of Little’s total came from Idaho residents and companies; $500,000 came from out-of-state donors
- ~$200,000 raised by independent candidate John Stegner
- ~$125,000 raised by Republican Mark Fitzpatrick, who has contributed roughly $60,000 of that amount from his own funds
- ~$95,000 raised by Democratic candidate Terri Pickens; seven candidates have raised under $6,000, and six report raising nothing at all
Candidate Profiles
Little, 72, is seeking a third consecutive term. If successful, he would become only the third Idaho governor to serve three consecutive terms. In June, President Donald Trump endorsed Little on Truth Social, calling him a “strong and highly popular Governor of Idaho” and offering his “Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election.”
Little’s donor base reflects broad institutional support from Idaho’s business community. Idaho Power, the Idaho Association of Realtors, and the Idaho Bankers Association have each contributed $10,000 to his campaign. His campaign website positions him as an experienced executive committed to preserving Idaho values.
Independent candidate John Stegner — a former district judge and Idaho Supreme Court justice — is running as a non-partisan outsider. His top individual donors include former Boise City Council member Patrick Bageant and David Pate, the former CEO of St. Luke’s Health System. Stegner describes himself on his campaign site as “practical, reasonable and non-partisan.”
Republican Mark Fitzpatrick has drawn attention for unconventional political stunts, including campaigns offering free real estate listings to liberals leaving Idaho and organizing a “Hetero Awesomeness Fest.” He refers to himself as a “bold culture warrior” on his campaign website and has self-funded a significant portion of his campaign. The Boise County Republican Central Committee is among his other reported contributors.
On the Democratic side, Terri Pickens, a former public defender, leads that field with approximately $95,000 raised. The Republican primary isn’t the only contested race in Idaho this cycle, as several down-ballot seats also face competitive challenges heading into the 2026 election season.
Zoom Out
Idaho’s governor’s race is drawing interest at a time when ballot initiatives are also heating up in the state. Clerks are currently working to verify signatures on initiatives related to abortion and medical marijuana, adding another layer of political activity that could shape voter turnout in November. Across the Mountain West, incumbent Republican governors are facing varied levels of primary competition, though few face the sheer volume of challengers that Little does in Idaho.
What’s Next
Primary election activity will continue to ramp up in the coming weeks as candidates push fundraising deadlines and seek ballot access. With most of the field reporting little to no fundraising, the competitive race is likely to narrow considerably before voters cast their ballots. Little’s combination of institutional support, the Trump endorsement, and a significant financial advantage positions him as the clear frontrunner heading into the primary.
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