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U.S. House, District 2
Federal · ID-2 ·See your exact ballot on VoteIdaho
Clear pick Draft: awaiting review
Ellie Gilbreath D
There is no poll, so the method uses 2024, when the Democrat took 31 percent and no other non-Republican topped 5. Simpson won the district by about 30 points, so realistically this seat is not in play. The Boise part voted for the Democrat, though, so Boise turnout is where a vote here counts most.
Method rule 2 · How we pick
What this office controls
One of Idaho's two seats in the U.S. House, which votes on federal laws, taxes and spending; the term is two years. In Ada County, District 2 includes nearly all of Boise (about 232,000 of its 236,000 residents in 2020) plus small parts of Meridian and Eagle. The district also covers much of southeast Idaho. (source)
Candidates
Mike Simpson R
Republican · incumbent
U.S. Representative since 1999; former Idaho legislator and former Blackfoot dentist.
“Securing the border and stopping illegal immigration is the most important issue facing our nation today. I’ll stand with President Trump to end Biden’s disastrous open border policies, build the wall and stop illegal immigration once and for all.”
Featured statement on his campaign homepage (the page is undated; the date is when it was read). · 2026-09-24 · Simpson for Congress campaign website
Website
Ellie Gilbreath D
Democrat
Ketchum attorney and mediator whose campaign theme is "Idaho is not for sale."
“The job of a congressman is very clear. It is to represent the voice and interest of your district. It's not your own biases, it's not your party, it's not the donors.”
Interview with East Idaho News about her campaign (the article places "Gilbreath said" after the first sentence). · 2026-05-23 · East Idaho News: 'Idaho is not for sale': Why Democrat Ellie Gilbreath thinks it's time for change in the state's 2nd Congressional District, 2026-05-23
Will Johanson L
Libertarian
Boise semiconductor engineer and former Navy nuclear operator.
“give voters an alternative.”
Partial quote in an Idaho Capital Sun story (reprinted by KMVT) on why he is running. He also said Simpson seems "out of touch with our concerns over affordability and the endless wars that we're fighting around the world." · 2026-09-15 · KMVT (Idaho Capital Sun): Idaho District 2 congressional candidates say they're worried about high cost of living, 2026-09-16
Website
Emre Houser I
Independent
Air Force and Idaho National Guard veteran (27-plus years, including Iraq in 2003) and Idaho business owner, according to his campaign site.
“For People, not Powerful Interests”
Campaign slogan on his website (the page is undated; the date is when it was read). No first-person quote was found. · 2026-09-24 · Emre Houser campaign website
Website
Tripp Charles Hutchinson I
Independent
Ketchum City Council member, elected in 2023.
“Every Idaho family should be able to live a normal, fulfilled and decent life on one household income.”
"Where I Stand" section of his campaign website (the page is undated; the date is when it was read). · 2026-09-24 · Tripp Hutchinson campaign website
Website
What your vote does
If you support Will Johanson
The Libertarian took about 5 percent in 2024. If your main goal is to replace Simpson, the method points to Gilbreath. If you vote Libertarian on principle, that is a legitimate choice.
If you support Emre Houser
Houser had reported no fundraising to the FEC as of June 30, and no poll includes him. If your main goal is to replace Simpson, the method points to Gilbreath.
If you support Tripp Charles Hutchinson
Hutchinson's cost-of-living message overlaps with Gilbreath's, and his campaign had raised about $7,500 as of June 30. If your main goal is to replace Simpson, the method points to Gilbreath.
Still being checked (5)
- C. Sierra (Constitution; ballot name "C. Sierra - ID Law - Idaho Lorax") is listed as Withdrawn on 2026-08-17 in the SoS candidate portal, before the Sept. 4 withdrawal deadline. KMVT/Capital Sun report the candidate died in June. The name should not appear on the ballot, but this has not been checked against a printed sample ballot. The earlier research listed this candidate as active.
- The Ada County split comes from the 2021 redistricting coverage (plan C-3) and 2020 population counts. It has not been checked against a current precinct map.
- Johanson's quote is a partial quote embedded in a news story, not a full sentence of his.
- Houser's quote is a campaign slogan. No first-person quote was found (he could not be reached by the Capital Sun).
- Simpson's homepage quote refers to Biden-era border policy. It is what his campaign site features, but it may be older text. A more current Simpson quote on health care appears in the Capital Sun story linked in sources.
Sources (3)