West Boise voters will decide who fills the open Senate seat in District 15 on Nov. 3. The race pits longtime Boise School District trustee Nancy Gregory, a Democrat, against Desi Burbank, the Republican secretary of the Idaho PTA and former Department of Defense school board member.
Candidate backgrounds
Gregory spent 24 years on the Boise School Board, first elected in 2002. She says her experience overseeing budgets, curriculum changes and statewide education reforms gives her a “bigger lens” for state legislation. “I’m not being elected as an advocate for Boise schools,” she told EdNews, emphasizing that her role as a senator will be to serve all District 15 constituents.
Burbank, a mother of six, served on a military‑base school board at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where board members act as advisors to the superintendent rather than elected officials. She describes teachers as the “greatest asset” and wants to bring a parent‑focused perspective to the Idaho Legislature.
Policy positions
Gregory opposes further funding for the $50 million Parental Choice Tax Credit, calling for greater accountability and data on the families who use it. She also criticized House Bill 516, which limits teachers’ union activities, saying it disrespects educators and hampers open dialogue.
Burbank identifies as a fiscal and social conservative but notes she sometimes agrees with Democrats on specific issues. She highlighted the importance of universal pre‑K, noting that the military base she served provided full‑time teachers and aides for preschool, a service Idaho currently lacks.
Election context
The seat opened when Republican Sen. Codi Galloway chose not to seek re‑election. In 2024, Galloway flipped the district from blue to red by a 1.77 % margin over Democrat Rick Just. No unaffiliated or third‑party candidates are on the ballot this cycle, meaning voters will choose between Gregory and Burbank for the Senate seat, as well as three House races.
District 15’s two House seats are currently split: Democrat Rep. Steve Berch holds Seat A, while Republican Dori Healey holds Seat B. Both seats will be contested in November, adding to the competitive nature of the district.
Local impact
Both candidates stress that state decisions affect families, schools and communities directly. Gregory warned that lawmakers have been distracted by cultural debates, urging a return to issues like affordability, grocery costs and public‑land protection. Burbank, raised in Eastern Idaho and now Idaho PTA secretary, wants to be the “voice of parents” in the Legislature, emphasizing teacher support and parental involvement.
Voters in west Boise, a swing area, will have three clean races between Republicans and Democrats on the ballot. The outcome will shape the balance of power in the state Senate and influence education policy, fiscal priorities and the representation of family values in the Idaho government.
What’s next
Campaign finance filings show both candidates have begun raising funds for the 2026 election cycle. As the November election approaches, local volunteers and community groups are mobilizing to inform voters about each candidate’s record and platform.
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
