Idaho’s Republican federal incumbents fend off primary challengers

Idaho’s incumbent members of Congress won their Republican primary contests and will advance to the general election.

Preliminary results after Tuesday’s primary show that incumbent Idaho federal officers – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, and Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher – fended off their opponents. The winners go on to face their Democratic, Libertarian, Constitution Party, and independent challengers in the general election on Nov 3.

Official results will be certified by election officials on the June 9 state canvass deadline.

Risch wins Republican primary for U.S. Senate

U.S. Sen. Jim Risch defeated his challengers with nearly 67% of the vote, or 156,199 ballots cast in his favor, according to results as of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday with all precincts reported. 

“Our work ahead is critical, and I will never stop fighting to protect Idaho’s way of life,” Risch said in an emailed statement. “From defending our freedoms and protecting our public lands to securing the border, standing up for veterans, advancing American energy, and lowering costs for hardworking families, I will always put Idahoans first.”

The Associated Press called the race at 9:34 p.m. Tuesday.

Josh Roy trailed Risch with about 14.2% followed by Joe Evans with around 14.1% and Denny LaVé with 4.4%. 

Risch, 83, is in his 18th year in the U.S. Senate. If reelected in November, he’ll serve a fourth, six-year term. Risch did not respond to the Idaho Capital Sun’s candidate survey for 2026 Primary Election Voter Guide. On his campaign website, the incumbent included as his top issues “fighting for Idaho farmers,” cutting taxes and wasteful spending, and supporting law enforcement.

In Tuesday’s Democratic primary election, David Roth won against opponents Brad Moore and Nickolas Bonds with 65% of the vote, according to preliminary results. 

In the November election, Risch will face Roth as well as Libertarian Matt Loesby and independent candidates Todd Achilles and Natalie Fleming. 

In a Wednesday morning press release, Achilles said he is challenging Risch to a series of public debates.

“Idaho deserves a public debate,” Achilles said. “Idaho voters have been denied the opportunity to see candidates stand side-by-side, answer tough questions, and defend their records in front of the public.”

Achilles proposed three statewide debates focused on major issues facing Idaho and the country: “an August debate on America’s Freedom, a September debate on America’s Prosperity, and an October debate on America’s International Responsibility,” according to the press release.

Fulcher wins in District 1 race for U.S. House

Idaho Republican U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher defeated primary challengers Andy Briner and Joseph Morrison, with around 78% of the vote, or 99,985 ballots cast in his favor, preliminary election results show. Briner garnered 11% and Morrison 10.6%. 

The AP called the race at 9:55 p.m. Tuesday.

Fulcher, 64, has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since he was first elected in 2019. He represents the state’s 1st Congressional District, which covers northern and western Idaho. If elected in November, he’ll serve a fourth, two-year term. 

Fulcher told the Sun for its 2026 voter guide that his top priorities are energy independence, election security policy, and facilitating more “local control” of public lands. 

In the Democratic primary contest, Kaylee Peterson won against Kenneth Brungardt. 

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

Simpson defeats two challengers in District 2 U.S. House race 

Idaho U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson won his primary election with around 63% of the vote, or 63,448 votes, results around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday showed.

Challengers Brian Keene and Perry Shumway followed with around 21% and 15.8%, respectively. 

The AP called the race for Simpson at 10:12 p.m. Tuesday.

Simpson, 75, is in his 14th, two-year term representing Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District, which covers eastern Idaho and Boise.

He told the Sun for its voter guide that his top priorities were improving affordability, American energy independence and reforming legal immigration for the farm workforce. 

Ellie Gilbreath won in the Democratic primary. The other candidate, Julie Wiley, ended her campaign in March and endorsed Gilbreath, Wiley announced in a press release. 

Simpson in November will face Gilbreath, independents Emre Houser and Tripp Charles Hutchinson, Libertarian Will Johanson, and Constitution Party candidate C. Sierra, also known as “Idaho Lorax.”