Idaho Primary Results: Risch, Little, Fulcher and Simpson Lead in Early Tallies
Idaho’s May 2026 primary election produced clear frontrunners in several high-profile races, with incumbent officeholders posting strong numbers in partial returns tallied into the early morning hours of Wednesday. Latah County’s own District 6 legislative contests drew close attention locally, with results reflecting competitive races on both sides of the aisle.
Statewide Incumbents Hold Commanding Leads
In the race for U.S. Senate, longtime incumbent Jim Risch dominated the Republican field with 152,785 votes in partial returns, far outpacing challengers Josh Roy (32,638) and Joe Evans (32,153). On the Democratic side, David Roth led with 29,309 votes over Brad Moore’s 14,737.
Governor Brad Little secured a strong lead in the Republican gubernatorial primary with 138,108 votes, well ahead of second-place finisher Mark Fitzpatrick at 67,379. The Democratic field was led by Terri Pickens with 30,125 votes. Little’s margin signals continued confidence among Republican primary voters in his stewardship of the state.
In Idaho’s 1st Congressional District, incumbent Russ Fulcher posted 97,702 votes in the Republican primary against Andy Briner’s 14,169 and Joseph P. Morrison’s 13,297. The district covers northern Idaho, including Latah County. Across the state in the 2nd District, Mike Simpson led Republican challenger Brian Keene 62,705 to 20,780, with Perry Shumway earning 15,586.
Latah County’s District 6 Races Tighten
Closer to home, the District 6 legislative contests produced some of the more competitive matchups of the evening. In the Republican primary for State Senate, Dan Foreman edged out Lori McCann by a margin of 4,243 to 3,806 in what were reported as full results — a difference of fewer than 450 votes. The race had been watched closely ahead of the election, as both candidates sought to represent a district that includes much of Moscow and surrounding Latah County communities. Voters who followed the District 6 Republican candidate forum in Moscow, where candidates debated issues including Idaho LAUNCH and local water policy, saw those discussions translate into a close but decisive outcome for Foreman.
In the State Representative District 6 Seat A Republican primary, Colton Bennett captured the nomination with 4,860 votes over Cindy Agidius’s 3,034. On the Democratic side of that same seat, Trish Carter-Goodheart led Bryce Blankenship 1,382 to 1,169, with Ryan Wayne Augusta receiving 84 votes.
For District 6 Seat B, Kathy Dawes won the Democratic primary decisively with 2,394 votes against Kenneth D. Williams’s 242. The District 6 State Senate Democratic primary saw Robin Weldy narrowly defeat Richard Gayler, 1,344 to 1,224.
In the neighboring District 7 races, Kyle Harris led Michael G. Collins in the Seat A Republican primary, 4,528 to 3,491 in partial returns. Charlie Shepherd held a wide advantage in Seat B over Maureen Anderson, 5,586 to 2,319.
School Levies Show Broad Voter Support
Several school districts across the region asked voters to authorize operating levies, and early returns showed most heading toward approval. The Potlatch School District levy led the closest contest at 558 in favor to 498 opposed in partial results. The Grangeville School District levy showed 1,250 yes votes to 880 no votes. Additional levies in the Culdesac, Highland, Whitepine, Cottonwood, Salmon River, and Nezperce school districts were all tracking toward passage in partial returns.
County-level races also drew voter attention. In Nez Perce County, Nick Woods led Keith Havens 3,294 to 2,020 in the District 2 Commissioner Republican primary. Clearwater County’s District 2 Commissioner race was among the tightest anywhere on the ballot, with Vincent C. Frazier besting Kelly Coursey by just 30 votes — 737 to 707 — in full results.
What Comes Next
With many races still showing partial returns as of the 1:47 a.m. update, final certified results will take additional days to confirm as counties complete their canvass. Primary winners in contested general-election races will advance to face opponents from opposing parties in November. For Latah County residents who followed the weekend’s Republican Party dinners and accompanying protests in Moscow and Orofino, Tuesday’s primary results mark the formal beginning of what is expected to be an active general-election season. Complete statewide election coverage is available at Idaho News.