Kyle Pfannenstiel

The list is now final. Vander Woude did not file for re-election.

That's what it's look like right now. We plan to update our story once the candidate filing list is finalized later tonight.

Idaho’s Republican state officials are all running for re-election. Who are the other candidates? • Idaho Capital Sun Republican incumbents in Idaho’s statewide constitutional offices — the governor, attorney general and more — are seeking re-election.

Republican incumbents in all of Idaho’s statewide constitutional offices — the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and more — are all running for re-election, and are largely not set to face Republican challengers.

But Gov. Brad Little faces an eight-way Republican primary. #idpol

Idaho Republican lawmaker proposes reworking library book restriction law • Idaho Capital Sun A Republican Idaho lawmaker proposed significant changes to a law that forced libraries to move materials deemed harmful to children.

A Republican Idaho lawmaker on Friday proposed bills that would make significant changes to a law he pushed for two years ago that forced Idaho public and school libraries to move materials deemed harmful to children, or face lawsuits. #idleg #idpol

Here are a few competitive Idaho legislative primary elections to watch in 2026 • Idaho Capital Sun This year, all 105 seats in the Idaho Legislature are up for election. Here’s a list of key legislative primary election races to watch.

Here's a list of a few competitive Idaho legislative primaries to watch in the 2026 election.

There'll be rematches between lawmakers who unseated an incumbent in the past, and some open races after an incumbent stepped down from the Legislature. #idleg #idpol

Who’s running to represent Idaho in Congress in the 2026 election? Incumbents face challengers. • Idaho Capital Sun All members of Idaho’s congressional delegation who are up for re-election are running, and are facing Republican primary challengers.

All members of Idaho’s congressional delegation who are up for re-election are running, and they are facing Republican primary election challengers. #idpol

Idaho House committee approves oversight bill for youth in residential treatment facilities  • Idaho Capital Sun An Idaho House committee on Thursday unanimously approved a bill to overhaul oversight of children’s residential treatment facilities

An Idaho House committee on Thursday unanimously approved a bill to overhaul oversight of children’s residential treatment facilities to address a state report finding widespread abuse and gaps in safeguards. #idleg #idpol

Bill would require 10 additional Idaho cities to elect city council members by district • Idaho Capital Sun A bill that would require 10 additional Idaho cities to elect city council members by district is advancing to full House floor for a vote.

If passed into law, House Bill 720 would require all Idaho cities with populations of at least 25,000 to divide themselves into districts and elect city councilors from those districts. Idaho law already requires cities with at least 100,000 residents to elect councilors by district. #idleg #idpol

Bill to require all local law enforcement to apply for ICE agreements is sent to Idaho House • Idaho Capital Sun Idaho lawmakers advanced a bill to require all local and county police officers to apply for agreements with ICE for immigration enforcement.

An Idaho House committee voted to approve a bill mandating all local law enforcement agencies apply to enter agreements with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), despite opposition from law enforcement. The Idaho sheriffs and police chiefs associations testified against it. #idleg

As transgender Kansans grapple with a challenging new reality today, and the rest of the nation watches what’s happening in the Sunflower State, here’s a thread of @kansasreflector.com stories and opinion pieces about SB 244. (1/15) #ksleg #trans #lgbtq

Idaho lawmakers may cut Medicaid home care services, repeal expansion • Idaho Capital Sun Idaho Legislature may cut $21 million from residential habilitation, a service that provides in-home support for people with disabilities.

To cut the Idaho Medicaid budget, state lawmakers are drafting bills to cut funds for home care services for people with disabilities and to repeal Medicaid expansion. #idleg #idpol

Idaho attorney general asks Legislature to restore his office’s budget cuts • Idaho Capital Sun To absorb this year’s cuts, Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador said all employees to take 11 unpaid furlough days between now and June 30.

To absorb this year’s cuts, Labrador said all employees will take 11 unpaid furlough days between now and June 30.

For fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1, Labrador said he would have to implement 14 furlough days – nearly three full weeks of unpaid time – for 227 employees. #idleg #idpol

Bill that would let state freeze funding if AG suspects local government violated state law stalls • Idaho Capital Sun The bill would let the state freeze funds for local governments if the Idaho attorney general suspects they violated state law.

A bill backed by Idaho Republican legislative leaders that would let the state freeze funds for local governments if the state’s attorney general suspects they violated state law stalled in committee on Wednesday. #idleg #idpol

Bedke: Idaho lawmakers should protect Launch, water infrastructure amid budget cuts  • Idaho Capital Sun Idaho’s lieutenant governor is urging state legislators to protect investments in education and infrastructure as they weigh budget cuts.

Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke told those gathered at a Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday the Legislature is facing what’s an “arguably self-inflicted problem” this year of a projected budget shortfall. #idleg #idpol

Hello! I’m the reporter who has been tracking citizens detained by immigration agents. And last night, I noticed something: A lot of them were at the State of the Union, including a number of whom I’ve written about.

Their stories should be known:

Under Idaho bill, poll workers would try to verify more voter identities • Idaho Capital Sun A bill to require Idaho election poll workers to attempt to verify voter identities before giving them ballots is headed to the Idaho Senate.

A bill to require election poll workers to attempt to verify the identity of voters before giving them ballots is headed to the Idaho Senate. #idleg #idpol

Here are the Idaho statewide candidates who have filed (so far) to run in the 2026 election • Idaho Capital Sun Multiple incumbents and former lawmakers declared their candidacy for 2026 Idaho elections on the first day of the filing period Monday.

Multiple incumbents and some former lawmakers have declared their candidacy, with more than 118 people filing by 5:30 p.m. Monday. #idleg #idpol

Some Idaho lawmakers called this Medicaid cut an accident. But a bill to undo the cut is stalling. • Idaho Capital Sun Under the program, Idaho Medicaid paid some doctor’s offices to be available around the clock to consult about health issues.

A draft bill to reinstate an Idaho Medicaid program that some lawmakers say the #idleg accidentally cut is stalling.

As part of the Legislature's sweeping Medicaid cost-cutting bill passed last year, the state in January ended a program that was meant to help patients avoid unnecessary ER trips.

US Supreme Court rules against Trump’s tariffs in 6-3 opinion, dealing blow to trade agenda • Idaho Capital Sun In a decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Supreme court said Congress alone has the power to tax in almost all circumstances.

In a 6-3 decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court said Congress alone holds the power to tax in almost all circumstances. The Trump administration’s argument that trade deficits and illegal drug imports granted it emergency power to levy tariffs was not justified, the court said.

Idaho’s 2026 elections are near. Next week, candidates can file for legislative, statewide office. • Idaho Capital Sun In Idaho's 2026 elections, all 105 legislative seats, statewide and federal offices are up for election. Candidates declare next week.

Next week, candidates for Idaho statewide, legislative and federal elected offices can officially declare they’re running in the 2026 elections. #idpol

Soon after the cuts were announced, providers and the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association warned the cuts would risk public safety, and providers said the cuts would drive up other costs even more. And. Eastern Idaho crisis centers are seeing demand spike after the cuts. From @pfannyyy.bsky.social:

A third patient has died after Idaho cut a Medicaid mental health service • Idaho Capital Sun Idaho Medicaid contractor Magellan cut the service after provider pay cuts stemming from Gov. Brad Little's executive order.

In less than three months since an Idaho Medicaid contractor cut a critical mental health service to comply with the governor's order for budget cuts, three patients died.

In the year and a half before the cut, providers say only one patient on the program died. #idleg #idpol

Idaho Legislature’s budget committee chairmen defend new cuts to state services • Idaho Capital Sun Tanner and Grow said uncertainty over the cost of conforming to Trump’s tax cuts and state revenues are driving the need for the new cuts.

The Idaho Legislature's budget writers say the state has a spending problem.

But budget documents presented to JFAC last fall show spending has essentially been flat for 21 years, when adjusted for inflation and population growth. #idleg #idpol

From my colleague Clark Corbin.

Idaho Legislature’s budget committee chairmen defend new cuts to state services • Idaho Capital Sun Tanner and Grow said uncertainty over the cost of conforming to Trump’s tax cuts and state revenues are driving the need for the new cuts.

Tanner and Grow said uncertainty over the cost of conforming to Trump’s federal One Big Beautiful Bill tax cuts and uncertainty over state revenues are driving the need for new cuts. They also referenced the Constitution’s prohibition against spending more money than the state collects in revenue.

Idaho lawmakers introduce ‘bill of rights’ for foster youth, children in residential treatment  • Idaho Capital Sun Idaho lawmakers introduced two bills to enumerate young people’s rights while in foster care and while they’re in residential treatment.

Idaho lawmakers introduced two bills Wednesday to enumerate young people’s rights while they’re in the state’s care and while they’re in residential treatment. #idleg #idpol

In response to cuts, Idaho Public Defender's Office plans to reduce training, overflow contractors • Idaho Capital Sun The Legislature created the new Office of State Public Defender after a lawsuit alleged Idaho's public defense system was inadequate.

Losing attorneys due to bigger caseloads could hurt the office’s ability to provide effective legal representation to clients, which is guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution, the Idaho Constitution and state law, the state public defender said. #idleg #idpol

Idaho Council on Indian Affairs votes to draft letter urging state lawmakers to protect Medicaid  • Idaho Capital Sun The Idaho Council on Indian Affairs voted to draft a letter urging state budget writers exempt tribal members from further Medicaid cuts.

The Idaho Council on Indian Affairs voted to draft a letter urging state budget writers to protect Medicaid, including Medicaid expansion, and exempt Native American tribal members from further cuts.

To privatize Idaho Medicaid, the Legislature may hire its own consultant • Idaho Capital Sun Idaho state officials are preparing for the state's comprehensive managed care contract, which will likely be Idaho's largest contract.

The Idaho Legislature is considering hiring a consultant to guide the state’s shift to private companies managing Medicaid benefits. #idleg #idpol

ICE’s parent agency leased office in building owned by Idaho’s largest health system • Idaho Capital Sun St. Luke's Health System spokesperson said the leased space in Meridian, Idaho, is not an ICE processing facility.

Idaho’s largest health system is leasing office space in a Meridian building it owns to ICE's parent agency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a spokesperson for the hospital confirmed.

988 ended his call. Now an Idaho teen is pushing for a fix to state’s parental consent law. • Idaho Capital Sun An Idaho teen had his call to the 988 hotline end because of Idaho's parental consent law. He's now urging lawmakers to change the law.

As a minor under 18 who didn’t have parental consent to get treatment, the hotline operator told him they had to end the call due to an Idaho law passed in 2024. #idleg #idpol