Idaho voters will see three major candidates on the Nov. 3 ballot, but the incumbent governor, Brad Little, chose not to appear at a recent League of Women Voters forum in Boise. The stage was shared by Democratic attorney Terri Pickens and retired judge John Stegner, who used the opportunity to outline their criticisms of Little’s record.
Little’s low‑key campaign strategy
Little, now in his second term, has long relied on a statewide name‑recognition advantage and a sizable war chest. His campaign has raised $2.3 million this cycle and reports more than $1 million cash on hand. By contrast, Stegner has raised $537,000 with $251,000 in the bank, and Pickens has collected $218,000, holding $79,000.
Campaign manager Joan Vargas explained the governor’s approach, saying, “Gov. Little has spent eight years traveling Idaho and talking directly with Idahoans. He is confident he will earn the trust of the majority of Idahoans on election day.” The decision to skip the forum, however, drew pointed remarks from Stegner, who noted the governor’s absence as “He’s away without official leave, including the fact that he isn’t here tonight.”
Critics focus on education and land policies
Pickens, a 54‑year‑old Democrat and founder of Pickens Law, attacked Little on several fronts. She called his support for the private education tax credit “class warfare” that diverts funds from public schools, and she pledged to eliminate the credit if elected. Pickens also condemned recent restrictions on teachers’ unions, arguing they unfairly target educators while leaving other unions untouched.
Stegner, running as an independent, framed Little as “too deferential to President Donald Trump” and “too willing to compromise with House Speaker Mike Moyle and other conservative lawmakers.” He also raised concerns about Idaho’s potential role in transporting thousands of tons of nuclear waste and expressed skepticism about the governor’s stance on public‑land protection.
Little’s record and future priorities
Supporters point to Little’s electoral history: he has won his last four primary and general elections by margins exceeding 20 points and consistently cleared the 50 % threshold. His administration touts Idaho’s first‑in‑the‑nation ban on transgender athletes, a law upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2024.
Vargas outlined the governor’s education goals without providing specific milestones. She wrote, “Over the next four years, Gov. Little wants to focus on further improving literacy, student outcomes, teacher quality, and career readiness, and giving parents and students more opportunity and choice. By 2030, Idaho’s education system should be recognized for preparing students for the economy of the future.”
Local reactions and the road ahead
Rod Gramer, former CEO of Idaho Business for Education and a supporter of Stegner, warned that voters are forced to choose “in a vacuum” when an incumbent runs a low‑profile re‑election bid. “When you get down to it, elections aren’t about the candidates,” he said, “they’re about the people.”
Pickens, who grew up in Pocatello and earned a scholarship to the University of Southern California before returning to Idaho for law school, emphasized her personal connection to public‑school issues. She argued that the private school tax credit could expand beyond its current $50 million budget, further eroding resources for public education.
All three candidates will appear together on the ballot, but only Little’s name will appear on the official list of candidates at this stage. The race remains a test of whether Idaho’s traditionally Republican electorate will reward the governor’s established record and fundraising advantage or shift toward the reform‑focused platforms of Pickens and Stegner.
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
