Democratic federal candidates Roth, Peterson and Gilbreath win their Idaho primary election contests

Idaho Democrats David Roth, Kaylee Peterson and Ellie Gilbreath won their primary contests for federal elected positions.

Results will be certified by election officials by the June 9 state canvass deadline. 

The winners of Tuesday’s primary will face winners of the GOP primaries as well as Libertarian, Constitution Party, and independent candidates for congressional seats in the general election on Nov 3. 

Roth wins primary election race for U.S. Senate seat 

Roth on Tuesday had nearly 62% of the vote, or 29,535 ballots in his favor, unofficial results showed as of about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday with all precincts reported.

The Associated Press called the race for Roth at 9:30 p.m.

Candidates Brad Moore and Nickolas Bonds had around 31% and 7%, respectively. 

Roth, 44, is an Idaho Falls resident and a consultant. He previously ran for the state Legislature in 2020, and for federal elected positions in 2022 and 2024, according to the Idaho Secretary of State election database.

He told the Idaho Capital Sun for its 2026 Primary Election Voter Guide his top priorities were universal healthcare, affordability issues, and restoring “the checks and balances of government while working to end congressional corruption.”

In the Republican primary, incumbent U.S. Sen. Jim Risch held off three challengers, according to the Associated Press.

Roth will face Risch, Libertarian Matt Loesby and independent candidates Todd Achilles and Natalie Fleming in November.

Peterson wins over Brungardt in District 1 U.S. House primary election race

Peterson had garnered around 87% of the vote, or 118,911 votes in the primary race for Idaho’s 1st congressional district, which covers all of North Idaho and the western part of the state. 

Kenneth Brungardt had nearly 13% of the vote, or 2,804 votes. The seat is currently held by Republican U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher. 

Peterson, 36, is a political strategist from Eagle who previously ran for the same congressional seat in 2022 and 2024. 

She told the Idaho Capital Sun for its 2026 voter guide her top priorities were restoring government accountability and trust, “building a labor-first economy,” and protecting public lands.

Fulcher won over his opponent in the GOP primary Tuesday, preliminary results showed.

Peterson will face Fulcher, Constitution Party candidate Brendan Gomez, and independent Sarah Zabel in the November general election.

Gilbreath wins after primary opponent dropped out 

Ellie Gilbreath, a first-time candidate, won the Democratic primary for the U.S. House seat representing Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District. Currently, Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson serves in this position. 

The Associated Press called the race at 9:58 p.m. Tuesday.

The district covers eastern Idaho and some parts of Boise.

The other candidate in the primary, Julie Wiley, previously announced she would end her campaign and endorse Gilbreath in a March press release. 

Gilbreath, 63, told the Sun for its primary voter guide her top priorities were to restore constitutional balance and accountability; protect public lands, water and energy; and lower costs of living for working families.

Simpson won his Republican primary contest Tuesday. In The November general election, Gilbreath will face Simpson, independents Emre Houser and Tripp Charles Hutchinson, Libertarian Will Johanson, and Constitution Party candidate C. Sierra, also known as “Idaho Lorax.”