Statewide ·See your exact ballot on VoteIdaho
Clear pick Draft: awaiting review
Terri Pickens D
In the Advanced Targeting Research poll, Little is at 37 with 20% undecided, so a majority is not locked in. Pickens (27) and Stegner (13) together come to 40. Pickens leads Stegner by 14 to 16 points in both three-way polls, so she is the challenger with the larger base. If voters who want a new governor come together, this can become a real race. The polls conflict, though: Stegner's own July poll has Little at 48 and far ahead, and the sponsor of the September poll is not disclosed.
Method rule 1 · How we pick
Idaho's chief executive, elected for a four-year term. The governor signs or vetoes bills, can veto individual items in budget bills, and appoints many state officials, including the three Public Utilities Commissioners who set Idaho Power's rates (with state Senate approval). (source)
Republican · incumbent
Governor since 2019 and a former lieutenant governor. Seeking a third term.
“Teresa and I are honored to serve the people of Idaho. Together, we've made Idaho the most prosperous state in the nation while fiercely defending our enduring core values — faith, family, and freedom.”
Statement announcing his campaign for a third term, as reported by KIFI Local News 8 · 2026-02-24 · KIFI Local News 8: Governor Brad Little to run for 3rd term, 2026-02-24
Democrat
Boise attorney and founder of Pickens Law. Grew up in Pocatello. She ran for lieutenant governor in 2022.
“I grew up in Pocatello, where hard work and strong communities meant everything. We were taught to leave things better than we found them—and that's why I'm running for governor.”
Campaign website home page (undated; date is when we read it) · 2026-09-24 · Terri Pickens for Governor (campaign website)
Independent
Former Idaho Supreme Court justice (2018–2023) who served about 25 years as a judge. Running as an independent. Listed on the ballot as "John R. Stegner".
“Idaho deserves leaders who listen, solve problems, and do what's right when it matters most. ... I'm a lifelong Idahoan, former Idaho Supreme Court Justice, and principled leader running for Governor because I believe Idaho can do better.”
Campaign website home page (undated; date is when we read it) · 2026-09-24 · John Stegner for Governor (campaign website)
Libertarian
Retired software engineer and former White Bird city council member. He was the 2022 Libertarian nominee for governor and got 1.1%.
“Voting for me should be considered as a vote against the entire corrupt political establishment in Idaho. My campaign is not about me, it is about you.”
His campaign website, in the platform section below a Sept 3, 2026 update · 2026-09-03 · Paul Sand (campaign website)
Constitution
Organic farmer from Letha, born Marvin Richardson, who legally changed his name to Pro-Life. He is a frequent Constitution Party candidate and got 5.1% for lieutenant governor in 2022.
“Don't vote for the lesser of evils. You always have a choice. Vote by principle.”
Headline of the campaign website he shares with his wife (undated; date is when we read it) · 2026-09-24 · ProLife Idaho (campaign website)
Independent
Official write-in candidate. His name is not printed on the ballot. To vote for him you write his name in.
Polls disagree. Campaign-paid polls are shown but never used to make a pick.
| Pollster and dates | Little | Pickens | Stegner | Sand | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Targeting Research 2026-09-13 – 2026-09-16 · 700 RV · ±3.7 Sponsor not disclosed | 37.3 | 27.2 | 12.8 | 2.8 | 19.9 |
| Change Research (3-way ballot) 2026-07-28 – 2026-07-30 · 1,213 LV · ±3.0 Campaign poll: Stegner for Idaho (John Stegner's campaign) | 48 | 27 | 11 | – | 13 |
| Change Research (test ballot: Little vs. Pickens only) 2026-07-28 – 2026-07-30 · 1,213 LV · ±3.0 Campaign poll: Stegner for Idaho (John Stegner's campaign) | 54 | 33 | – | – | 10 |
| Change Research (test ballot: Little vs. Stegner only) 2026-07-28 – 2026-07-30 · 1,213 LV · ±3.0 Campaign poll: Stegner for Idaho (John Stegner's campaign) | 47 | – | 34 | – | 16 |
John Stegner spent about 25 years as a judge, including on the Idaho Supreme Court, and he is running a serious campaign. Plenty of Republicans and independents like him, and that is a good reason to take him seriously. Here is what your vote does. Idaho has no runoff: the Idaho Constitution says whoever gets the most votes wins, even with well under half. In the latest poll, Little has 37, Pickens 27 and Stegner 13. Together Pickens and Stegner are ahead of Little, but split two ways, neither one is. When the vote for change is divided, it helps whoever is already in front, and here that is Little. Pickens has more support in both three-way polls, including Stegner's own (27 to 11). If you are open to either challenger, a vote for Pickens is the one most likely to add up to a win. If you are a Republican who would never vote for a Democrat, your vote for Stegner is still a vote for a change in leadership, and you should cast it.
Paul Sand says on his own website that beating Little is "very unlikely" and that a vote for him is a protest against the political establishment. If a protest vote is what you want, his name is on the ballot. If you would mainly like a different governor, Pickens is the challenger with the most support.
Pro-Life asks voters to "vote by principle", and his website says a vote for him won't change the final outcome. If you vote for him on principle, that is your right. His positions are far from Pickens's, and we are not asking you to switch.
Burnett is an official write-in candidate, so his name is not printed on the ballot. A write-in vote counts only for a registered write-in candidate like him, and you have to write his name in yourself. If you would mainly like a different governor, Pickens is the challenger with the most support in the polls.
If you have supported Brad Little before and are unsure this time, read each candidate in their own words above. Stegner is a former Idaho Supreme Court justice running as an independent, and Pickens is the Democratic nominee. Whoever you choose, it is your call, and we respect it.
| 2022 Governor (Idaho) | Little (R) 60.5, Stephen Heidt (D) 20.3, Ammon Bundy (I) 17.2, Paul Sand (L) 1.1, Chantyrose Davison (C) 0.9 | R+40.2 over the runner-up; R+21.0 over all other candidates combined | source |