November 6, 2026 (Cover Image Credit: Idaho Freedom Foundation)
Think Idaho Survived the Blue Wave? Think Again
By: Ron Nate, IFF President
IFF President Ron Nate
The brightest spot of Tuesday’s general election in Idaho was Proposition 1 (Prop 1) (to legalize abortion) losing solidly. However, the results of other contests show a less rosy picture for Idaho. Sure, Idaho Republicans retained all the federal and state officer seats, but their percentages of victory were ALL lower than the last mid-term election four years ago. Even worse, this year in the statehouse, Republicans in both chambers lost seats to Democrats. Not one state legislature seat went from Democrat to Republican, but six seats went from Republican to Democrat. The last time we saw such a swing in Democrat gains was 20 years ago.
(Note: Idaho Freedom Foundation is non-partisan, but recognizing and tracking the party affiliations of those winning offices are almost always key indicators–correlating to our Idaho Freedom Index–of the direction of ideological trends in the state office holders.)
In looking at the types of legislators based on their freedom scores and who won and lost in primaries and general elections this year, it can be argued that 2026 saw a net loss of conservative positions by 2 to 3 seats. Using Freedom Index scores and campaign platforms as guides, here’s our take: conservative gains were Herndon, J. Sauter, and Bennett; conservative losses were Thompson, Cayler, Kohl, Leavitt, and Zuiderveld.
Further, there were missed opportunities for conservatives to flip seats more conservative. Johnstone, Hyde, and Crowder lost general election efforts to win over seats from moderate Republicans or Democrats.
All told, there were definite Democrat gains on Tuesday (six seats), and conservative losses on net (2-3 seats) from the May and November elections.
While it’s true Prop 1 was defeated, that defeat should have and could have been much more lopsided. A 56% percent NO vote says something, but not nearly as much as the 69.6% NO vote on the ranked choice voting proposition two years ago. It appears the “blue wave” of discontent in national politics had some impact here in Idaho.
Here is how the blue wave affected Idaho. All our federal and state constitutional offices were retained by the Republican incumbents. However, every one of their winning vote percentages were remarkably lower than four years ago.
Good news: Idaho won a huge victory for LIFE! Proposition 1 — the initiative to change Idaho law to expand the options to kill unborn babies — failed! Death for the most innocent among us was on the ballot in four states and Idaho was the only state to hold the line and protect precious babies. Praise God for this win!
Other Idaho election results yielded mostly negative changes if any. Statewide and federal offices held status quo albeit with lower margins. Among the Republicans in the statehouse, there were a few November wins (two or three conservatives replacing moderates), but those couldn’t offset the numerous conservative losses in last May’s primary. And, Democrats picked up 6 seats overall — they are almost always lower on our Freedom Index.
This should be a wake-up call for all freedom and liberty-minded folks in Idaho. Freedom didn’t get crushed in Idaho like it did in Arizona, Texas, Georgia, and Ohio, but Idaho sure stepped closer to the cliff’s edge. We must be vigilant and powerful in restoring the liberty mindset in Idaho. One or two more election cycles like 2026 could be devastating for families and businesses trying to thrive and prosper.
Defeating Marxist ideology, limiting and reducing government, lowering taxes, and protecting traditional Idaho values remain our top priorities, and 2026 should be a clear and loud warning bell that “all is not well” in the Gem State.
While the 2026 legislative primary and general elections didn’t deliver some of the victories our state needs, one thing remains unchanged:
Liberty needs defenders.
Idaho Freedom Foundation is committed to defending Liberty.
Not every battle ends in victory. Not every election goes the way of freedom. But the principles Idaho Freedom Foundation stands for — limited government, fiscal responsibility, individual liberty, and constitutional governance — do not change with the political winds. The fight for freedom is never won (or lost) in a single election.
Idaho Freedom Foundation is in it for the long haul. We need you with us!
Editor’s Note: Learn more about the work of the Idaho Freedom Foundation here: About – Idaho Freedom
(Bonneville County Central Committee, November 5, 2026)
Governor Ron DeSantis is coming to Idaho Falls on November 12!
Join us for a special event focused on the growing national debt and the movement to establish a federal Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Tickets can be purchased at Balanced Budget Now with Governor Ron Desantis | BetterWorld
This is our opportunity to spotlight the importance of fiscal responsibility, accountable government, and protecting the financial future of the next generation. In addition to Governor DeSantis, Idaho State Legislators, and Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke will be in attendance and offer remarks to the audience.
For more details on the event menu or program, please call the Bonneville County Republican Central Committee at (208) 497-1211 or send an email to info@bonnevillegop.com. Doors open to the public at 5:45pm. Dinner and program will begin at 6:15pm.
(Idaho Department of Lands Press Release, November 6, 2026)
Boise, ID — Hunters, please extinguish your warming fires! Chilly nights and early mornings can make warming fires appealing during hunting season. However, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) firefighters have responded to a number of abandoned warming fires that spread into the wildland, causing small fires while hunters were away.
Even when temperatures are cooler and overnight moisture makes conditions seem less hazardous, dry grasses and underbrush can still ignite and spread fire.
Before going to bed or leaving the camp for a hunt, make sure your warming fire is completely out. Follow these steps:
Let the fire burn down
Drown it thoroughly with water
Stir the ashes, coals and dirt
Drown it again
Feel for heat
Repeat until everything is cold to the touch
A special thanks to those who have come across the fires and reported them.
IDL firefighters appreciate your help preventing wildfires and wish everyone a safe and successful hunting season.
There’s so much I could share from this week, but what I’m sitting with most is gratitude. I feel blessed to serve the state I love.
Election nights are what we live for here. Seeing hundreds of thousands of Idahoans head to the polls to make their voices heard in a process we’ve spent months preparing for feels incredible. A number of us worked through the night and into the next day. There’s a rush that comes from being at the center of it all, and being on the ballot myself this year made it even more personal.
I’m so grateful to Idaho’s voters for giving me the opportunity to continue to serve. It’s hard to describe what it feels like when you’ve got that many people weighing in on your performance review, but I will say it feels good seeing the results.
I’m so proud of the amazing people I get to work with, both in and out of the office. In this first term, we’ve accomplished so much. We’ve greatly expanded education and training for election officials around the state and completely overhauled VoteIdaho.gov to make voting information easier to access. We’ve made it easier to report campaign finance information and see the money in Idaho politics. We’ve also dramatically cut the time it takes to file a new business. Through all of this, we’ve kept working to build trust in government.
When I started my re-election bid, I added the tagline, “We’re just getting started!”
It’s exactly how I feel. We’ve done so much, and there’s so much more we will do.
In the coming weeks, I’ll share a few of my ideas for the future. In the meantime, please know how grateful I am. I’m grateful for my family, I’m grateful for my team, and I’m grateful to all of you who follow the office and support us in the important work we are doing.
Phil McGrane
ABOUT SECRETARY PHIL McGRANE
Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022.McGrane holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.
November 6, 2026 (Cover Photo Credit: Karyn Simmons)
Raul Labrador (Photo Credit: Raul Labrador FB)
Dear Friends,
Thank you for giving me another four years as Attorney General. Serving the people of Idaho in this office has been one of the great honors of my life, and I don’t take your trust lightly.
The mission of this office is protecting Idaho families. That mission takes many forms, from defending the laws Idahoans choose for themselves to standing between families and the people who would do them harm. None of it happens without the right people. Over the last four years, I’ve been fortunate to lead a team of attorneys, investigators, and staff who believe in that mission as much as I do, and I want to use this letter to tell you about the work we’ve done together.
When Idahoans make a decision through their Legislature, that law is only as strong as the people willing to defend it in court. In 2020, Idaho became the first state in the nation to pass a law protecting women’s sports, and it was challenged almost immediately. When I took office, I made defending it a top priority and took the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In January, then-Solicitor General Alan Hurst argued Little v. Hecox before the justices, and this summer the Court ruled in Idaho’s favor. Our current Solicitor General, Michael Zarian, did the same for Idaho parents in February, when he won a unanimous decision at the Idaho Supreme Court upholding the Parental Choice Tax Credit.
Defending Idaho’s laws is part of a larger responsibility to protect Idaho’s right to govern itself, and few things matter more to that right than water. For more than 150 years, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s water rights in north Idaho went unresolved. Courts had held that the Tribe was entitled to rights senior to nearly every city, farm, business, and homeowner in the basin, which left families across the region facing years of uncertain and costly litigation. By the time I took office, negotiations had broken down. I reached out to the Tribe, and our Energy and Natural Resources Division helped bring more than 300 stakeholders back to the table. The agreement we reached protects existing water rights and guards against federal overreach under the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act, giving north Idaho families and farmers the certainty they need to plan for the future.
Protecting Idaho families also means standing between them and the people who would do them harm, and that harm takes different forms. For children, the threat is often a predator reaching them through a screen. Our Internet Crimes Against Children investigators spend their days tracking those predators down, and having joined them at their mental health training, I’ve seen the toll that work takes on the people who do it. For many Idaho families, especially seniors, the threat comes as a phone call, a text message, or a contract designed to take their hard-earned money. That’s where our Consumer Protection Division steps in, going after businesses that break Idaho’s consumer protection laws, warning Idahoans about new scams as they appear, and working to get money back for families who’ve been cheated. And when the worst does happen, our victim services team stays with crime victims in the cases we handle, keeping them informed and making sure they always have someone to call.
Growing up in Scouting, where I earned my Eagle rank, I learned to leave every campsite better than I found it. I’ve tried to live by that in every office I’ve held, and I see the same commitment in the people I get to work with. Together we’re making Idaho a safer and freer place for your family, and I’m proud to spend the next four years leading this team.
Thank you again for trusting us with this work. We’re ready to continue in that mission.
Best regards,
ABOUT THE OFFICE
The Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to the State of Idaho. The Attorney General and his deputies represent state agencies and offices, to better the lives of Idahoans.
For more information about the Office, visit our website here.
November 5, 2026 (Cover Image Credit: Gem State Chronicle)
How Idaho Weathered the Blue Wave Are we doomed?
By: Gem State Chronicle Publisher Brian Almon
Brian Almon
Losing six legislative seats is never ideal, but compared to the rest of the nation, Idaho withstood the blue wave pretty well. Texas, long considered a Republican stronghold, went nearly full blue as Democrats swept statewide offices and won control of the House of Representatives. Republicans lost their legislative supermajorities in one or both chambers in Florida, South Carolina, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Missouri, and Kansas.
Early numbers suggest that Republican candidates lost approximately eight percentage points nationally compared with President Trump’s 2024 performance. Idaho wasn’t immune: analysis of legislative races found an average Republican decline of about 6.8 percentage points. Another comparison—Trump’s 2024 vote share against Sen. Jim Risch’s 2026 share—shows a 10.34-point decline.
Here in Idaho, Republicans retained their supermajorities in both chambers by fairly wide margins. The 2024 elections yielded 29 Republican senators to just six Democrats, and 61 Republican representatives to just nine on the blue team, for a total of 90 Republicans and 15 Democrats. That was the second-highest number of Republicans since the modern district system was implemented in 1992. Prior to that redistricting, the Senate consisted of 42 members, with 84 in the House. Districts were oddly drawn, with overlapping floterial districts adding to the confusion.
Heading into the 1992 elections, the Idaho Senate was deadlocked 21–21, and our governor was Democrat Cecil Andrus. Under the new system of 35 districts divided evenly by population, Republicans took a 23–12 Senate majority in 1992, expanding to a 27–8 supermajority in 1994 when Phil Batt brought the governorship back under Republican control. Since then, Republicans have maintained supermajorities in both chambers.
The biggest losses for Republicans typically correspond to blue-wave years such as 2006 and 2018, when the Idaho GOP lost six and four seats, respectively. One outlier is 2002, which was a positive midterm for Republicans nationally but resulted in a loss of eleven seats in Idaho. This could be due to redistricting, but I’m not entirely sure. That election immediately followed the GOP’s largest legislative majority of 93 seats, achieved in 2000.
Since the dawn of the 21st century, then, the Idaho GOP has controlled between 79 and 93 seats. I believe that more or less represents the floor and ceiling for Republican representation in Idaho, respectively. The way districts and demographics are arranged right now, it would be difficult for Democrats to get many more than 25 seats, but it is also unrealistic for Republicans to go much higher than the 90 they’ve held these past two years. Remember the graph I posted yesterday showing the average winning percentage in each district, ordered from most red to most blue:
District 18 at the bottom is a bit of an outlier, considering no Republicans stood for election there this year. Nevertheless, you can see some patterns. The Boise districts of 16, 17, 18, and 19 are solid blue. The odds of Republicans picking up a seat there in the near future are slim. Districts 15, 26, and 29 were closer this year, and elected Republicans as recently as 2024. However, in a blue-wave year, those districts went entirely Democratic as well. It’s easy to scaremonger over the loss of six Republican seats, but all six were in swing districts that had previously elected Democratic legislators. That doesn’t mean the losses are insignificant, but it certainly puts the results in perspective.
I broke down support for Proposition 1 by district and found a startling-yet-predictable conclusion: every district that voted in favor of Prop 1 sent three Democrats to the Legislature, while every district that voted against Prop 1 elected three Republicans. Here is how that played out in the five closest districts:
It seems clear to me that Prop 1 drove turnout throughout the state—both among Republicans opposed to abortion and Democrats who support it. That increased turnout was most apparent in Democratic areas such as Boise, Pocatello, Moscow, and Blaine County. A statistical analysis of the change in turnout between 2024 and 2026 shows a moderate but positive correlation with support for Prop 1, especially concentrated in Ada, Bannock, and Blaine Counties. Those three counties just happen to be where Democrats swept swing districts to win their six new seats.
District 26 provides an informative case study in how it was likely difficult—if not impossible—for Republicans to win these swing districts in this year’s environment. LD26 combines populous, left-leaning Blaine County with less populous, right-leaning Jerome County and sparsely populated, conservative Lincoln County. Jerome and Lincoln Counties voted overwhelmingly against Prop 1 and for Republican candidates, but Blaine County had enough Democratic voters to completely overwhelm the rest of the district.
I picked the House Seat B race for comparison, since the Senate and House Seat A races in LD26 each had an independent candidate confounding the data.
In this year’s political environment, the Democratic vote in Blaine County was simply too much for Jerome and Lincoln to overcome. Data shows that Blaine County voters turned out in numbers similar to the presidential election year of 2024, while turnout in Jerome and Lincoln—though higher than in the 2022 midterm—fell short of the 2024 mark. I strongly suspect that Prop 1 and the national blue wave combined to drive Democratic turnout, enough Republicans stayed home to make a difference, while swing voters who supported President Trump in 2024 either stayed home or voted blue.
Additionally, both Jerome and Lincoln Counties saw leftward shifts compared to 2024, though both counties remained firmly in the red column.
Legislative District 6 is somewhat similar to LD26 in that it consists of three counties and has a blue core. However, Latah County is not nearly as blue as Blaine County, despite the college town of Moscow, and Nez Perce County is split between legislative districts. That means Latah, despite voting both for Prop 1 and the Democratic candidate, could not overwhelm voters in the other two counties the way Blaine can in LD26.
The same structural and geographical features that prevent Republicans from dropping much below 80 seats also prevent them from going much higher than 90. Both sides fight over a very small number of swing districts. In a red-wave year, such as 2024, Republicans can get near their ceiling, while a blue wave can drag them down, but not enough to threaten the party’s supermajorities.
The Idaho GOP remains a force in all 35 districts and 44 counties, with precinct committeemen and volunteers who knock on doors, put up signs, and motivate their neighbors to vote. Voter registration data shows Republicans continuing to increase while Democratic affiliation is decreasing. However, Idaho isn’t immune to national trends. It’s unfortunate that someone like Rep. Dori Healey in LD15 lost reelection because President Trump decided to start a war in Iran and because abortion was on the ballot. But that’s politics. The point I’m trying to make here is that Idaho was already better suited to weather the storm than many other red states. We cannot rest on our laurels, but neither should we give in to loud and unhinged voices who scream that we’re doomed.
What does the new Legislature mean in practical terms? Democrats will have more of a presence on legislative committees, including the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, and the calculus for leadership elections will be somewhat different. I believe Republicans no longer have the luxury of infighting. Voters want stability and affordability, not endless purity spirals or right-wing civil wars over personalities. The supermajority is still there, but it’s smaller, and it includes unreliable votes such as Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen and Sen. Jim Guthrie. The center of gravity in the Legislature has shifted a bit to the left from where it was in 2024, though I believe we are still in a much better place ideologically than we were in 2018 or 2020.
Your job as an engaged citizen doesn’t stop on Election Day. Rather, we’ve only just begun. I’ve already updated Idaho Insider with the new lawmakers who will take office in a few weeks. I encourage you to start reaching out with your ideas regarding policies that should be addressed.
We’re entering uncharted waters at the national level, but as I wrote yesterday, Idaho is still Idaho. We’re still a red state, and our voters are still mostly conservative at heart. The last two years have seen some incredible wins. We face steeper challenges over the next two, but that just means we have to work that much harder.
Brian Almon is the Editor of the Gem State Chronicle. He also serves as Chairman of the District 14 Republican Party and is a trustee of the Eagle Public Library Board. He lives with his wife and five children in Eagle.
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the Gem State Chronicle. I encourage our readers to visit their website and consider subscribing. Find this and other informative articles at the Gem State Chronicle here: About – Gem State Chronicle
(Bannock County Press Release, November 2, 2026; Cover photo credit: Bannock County)
Fall is in full swing at the DMV! We made it through the spookiest week at the DMV, with Halloween and a full moon. Our team did a fantastic job decorating the office for the season and setting out treats for our patrons to enjoy. A little holiday spirit makes even the busiest days more fun!
Around the office, we’re gearing up for early RV renewals, with more expected over the next couple of months. We’re also preparing for the new season of parks and recreation permits and registrations. Idaho Parks and Recreation has sent out our permit assignments, and we’re excited to share that we’re their largest vendor in the area!
We’re also looking ahead to an exciting update from the Idaho Transportation Department. Changes to the Idaho dealership portal are expected to launch in mid-December. We look forward to training with ITD and our dealer partners before the launch so we can continue providing the best service possible. These updates are expected to help dealerships process titles more quickly, benefiting our dealers and patrons alike!
As we head into the holiday season, please keep in mind that office hours and closures may vary. Before making a trip to see us, check the Bannock County website and Facebook page for the latest updates. We’re happy to help with your titling and registration needs and wish everyone a safe and happy start to the holiday season!
(City of Pocatello Press Release, November 6, 2026)
The City of Pocatello is pleased to announce that the intersection of Hiline Road, Pearl Street, and El Rancho Boulevard is now open to traffic as crews wrap up the Hiline Road and Signalization Improvement Project.
Construction began in July 2026, and over the past four months, crews have been working on roadway and signalization improvements designed to enhance traffic flow and safety at the intersection.
With final paving operations complete, the intersection has reopened to motorists. While the majority of construction is finished, crews may still be in the area completing minor finishing work.
The City recognizes that construction can be inconvenient, particularly at a busy intersection, and appreciates the patience of residents, businesses, and motorists throughout the project. In just a few months, crews have made significant improvements that will benefit drivers and the community for years to come.
The Hiline Road improvements are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to build a safer, more accessible, and better-connected transportation network, consistent with the goals outlined in the City’s Comprehensive Plan 2040.
AMVETS of Pocatello will serve their monthly Grand Slam breakfast this morning, November 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Building, located at 300 N. Johnson Avenue in Pocatello.
Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, bacon, hash browns, two kinds of sausage, biscuits & gravy, coffee, and orange juice. Nobody goes away hungry!
Breakfast is $12.00 for the general public. First Responders in uniform and kids 5 years old and younger eat free.
This month, Virginia Transformer Corp is sponsoring breakfast.
(Pocatello Police Department Community Announcement, November 6, 2026)
On Thursday, November 5, 2026, at approximately 2:10 p.m., the Pocatello Police Department responded to a reported disturbance in the 1100 block of North Main Street.
Upon arrival, officers located a deceased adult male. Based on the initial investigation, the circumstances surrounding the death appeared to be consistent with a homicide.
During the investigation, Ronald Cantrell was detained after evidence indicated he had stabbed the victim. Officers and investigators continued their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Ronald Cantrell was arrested and charged with Second-Degree Murder. He is currently being held at the Bannock County Jail.
