Idaho Gov. Brad Little Wins GOP Primary, Advances to Third Term Bid

Gov. Brad Little, R-Idaho, defeated seven opponents in the Republican primary for governor on Tuesday and moved one step closer to a third term.

Little received the endorsement of President Donald Trump before he announced his re-election bid. Several Republicans challenged him from the right, including retired police officer Mark Fitzpatrick, who drew scrutiny for comments about members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Little supported a bill earlier this year that imposes criminal penalties on transgender people who use a bathroom or locker room that does not match their biological sex. The law applies to private businesses as well.

He also signed a measure blocking public schools from using taxpayer dollars to support certain teachers’ union activities.

Little campaigned on deregulation, school choice and tax cuts. He previously served in the Idaho State Senate and as lieutenant governor before winning election in 2018.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as solidly Republican. Idaho has not elected a Democratic governor since 1990, and Trump carried the state by about 36 points in 2024.