A veteran Magic Valley public servant is mounting a Republican primary challenge against an incumbent state lawmaker, setting up a May 19 contest that will help determine who represents three rural counties in the Idaho Legislature.
Brent Reinke, currently serving as a Twin Falls County commissioner and former head of the Idaho Department of Corrections, announced he will seek the Republican nomination for the District 24 Senate seat. He faces a two-term incumbent, Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, who has represented the district since 2022.
The district covers rural portions of Twin Falls County along with Gooding County and Camas County. Reinke, known locally for operating “MR. B’s,” an ice cream business that served fairgoers for 38 years beginning in the 1980s, said community members across the district encouraged him to enter the race.
Local Representation Versus Conservative Coalition
Reinke framed his candidacy around providing direct constituent service rather than adhering to a specific ideological platform. He told Idaho Education News that voters in the Magic Valley want someone focused on local issues and representation.
Zuiderveld belongs to a bloc of lawmakers known as the “Gang of Eight,” conservative legislators who consistently oppose new government expenditures. Four of the eight members represent Magic Valley districts, and all face primary opponents this election cycle.
The senator said she remains committed to her principles and believes her coalition will withstand the challenges. “I will continue to be steadfast,” Zuiderveld stated in remarks to Idaho Education News.
Outside Groups Target Magic Valley Race
Political action committees devoted substantial resources to opposing Zuiderveld during the 2024 election cycle, a pattern continuing into the current race. Opposition spending against her 2024 primary campaign totaled $112,080, the second-highest figure among all legislative candidates behind only House Speaker Mike Moyle.
Idaho Liberty PAC spent $78,000 in opposition to Zuiderveld during that cycle, while WinAg PAC contributed $12,250 against her candidacy. This year, both WinAg and the Surface Water Coalition — an organization connected to the Twin Falls Canal Company — have already filed reports showing expenditures opposing the incumbent.
The heavy outside involvement reflects broader tensions in Idaho Republican politics, where establishment-aligned groups and agriculture interests have clashed with fiscal hardliners over spending priorities and water policy.
Campaign Finance Shows Competitive Race
Both candidates have raised significant funds heading into the primary. Financial disclosures show Reinke with a slight fundraising edge, collecting $53,763 in contributions compared to Zuiderveld’s $51,117.
The comparable fundraising totals suggest both campaigns view the race as competitive. Zuiderveld’s fundraising follows a 2024 cycle in which she faced unprecedented opposition spending but still secured the Republican nomination and general election victory.
Reinke brings name recognition from his decades of public service, including his tenure leading the state corrections system and his current role overseeing county government in Twin Falls County.
What Comes Next
The Republican primary will take place May 19, with early voting already underway in many Idaho counties. Given the heavily Republican makeup of District 24, the GOP primary winner is expected to face minimal opposition in the November general election.
Voters can verify their registration status and locate polling places through the Idaho Secretary of State’s office. The outcome will help determine whether conservative hardliners maintain their influence in the Legislature or whether more traditional Republicans regain ground in rural districts.
Campaign finance reports covering the final weeks before the primary will be due in early May, providing additional insight into outside group involvement and fundraising momentum. Additional candidate profiles and election coverage are available through Idaho Education News.