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Election Note: All results remain unofficial until they are formally certified by the State Board of Canvassers.

IDAHO (KIFI) — Polls are officially closed for the May 2026 Primary Election, and the numbers are now rolling in.

AP: Brad Little, Terri Pickens Win Idaho Gubernatorial Primaries

The Associated Press has called the nominations for Idaho Governor. According to unofficial results, incumbent Governor Brad Little has secured the Republican Primary.

Governor Little will face Democratic candidate Terri Pickens in the general election this November. The Associated Press projected Pickens as the definitive winner of the Democratic primary early Tuesday evening. As of 10:15 p.m. MT, Pickens maintained a comfortable lead over her primary field with 64.89% of the votes counted.

AP: Jim Risch wins Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Idaho

The Associated Press has called the nominations for U.S. Senate, as of 9:34 p.m. According to unofficial results, incumbent Jim Risch has come out on top, securing the Republican Primary by 65.18% of all votes with 34/44 counties reporting.

AP: Simpson wins Republican nomination for District 2 U.S. House race

As of 10:12 p.m., the Associated Press has called the Republican Primary District 2 U.S. House race. According to unofficial results, incumbent Mike Simpson won his primary election with 62.83% of all votes, 21/26 counties reporting.

District 33A: Barbara Ehardt narrowly secures the Republican nomination

In one of the closest, contested races in Idaho Falls, incumbent Rep. Barbara Ehardt has narrowly secured the Republican nomination for Legislative District 33 Seat A by less than 200 votes, according to unofficial results.

With all 51 precincts fully reporting, Ehardt captured $51.59%$ of the vote to fend off a strong primary challenge from newcomer Connor Cook. Ehardt, who has served in the Idaho House since her initial appointment by former Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter in late 2017, is now advancing to the November general election, where she will face Democrat Chance Marshall in the race to represent Idaho Falls in Boise. Marshall ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Bonneville School District Voters Approve $9.6 Million Supplemental Levy

Bonneville County voters have approved a $9.6 million-per-year supplemental levy aimed at closing a mounting budget gap for Joint School District 93. According to unofficial election results, the measure passed with 58.77% voter support.

While the ballot approved a $9.6 million annual levy for the next two fiscal years (running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028), it functions as a replacement rather than an entirely new tax. The approval effectively cuts short the remaining year of the district’s previous $5.8 million annual levy, which was originally set to expire in 2027.

Rexburg Police Station Bond fails to reach supermajority for the second time

The Rexburg City General Obligation Bond has once again failed to pass, according to unofficial election results.

With all 16 precincts reporting, the bond narrowly fell short of the strict 66.67% supermajority required for approval under Idaho law. While a clear majority of participating voters—63.85%—supported the measure, it was not enough to secure the funding.

The bond was designed to fund the construction of a new city police station. According to the Rexburg Police Department, the current facility is severely outdated and plagued by numerous structural and operational issues.

This election marks the second time Rexburg voters have rejected the proposal. In 2025, a similar measure fell short of the same 66.67% threshold, garnering 62.6% approval. Ahead of this second attempt, city officials made adjustments to the project, reducing the estimated cost by approximately $3.29 million in an effort to win over voters.

City officials have not yet announced whether they will revise the proposal a third time or seek alternative funding methods for the facility.

Fuhriman defeats Young in Republican Primary Repeat

Representative Ben Fuhriman has triumphed in the high stakes remach with Julianne Young in a battle for the Republican nomination for District 30 Seat B, according to unofficial election results.

Voters turned out Tuesday, May 19, to settle the highly anticipated Republican primary, which served as a direct repeat of the 2024 race that came down to a mere four votes. This time around, District 30 voters gave Fuhriman a much wider margin of victory, securing the nomination with 53.65% of all votes with 2/2 counties reporting, as of 11:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Fuhriman now eyes the November 2026 election to secure his second term in the state legislature. He is set to face Democrat Breane Buckingham—who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary—to decide who will ultimately represent Bingham and Butte counties in Boise.

Refresh this page throughout the night for real-time results and breaking news as the ballots are finalized. For live election results, click HERE.

Caribou County Commissioner race ends in a tie

No winner in the Caribou County Commissioner race as it ends in a tie between two of the three candidates.

George Hulse and Tracy Davis earned 469 votes each in Tuesday’s election. Marty McCullough wasn’t far behind with 405 for third place.

According to Idaho Election Laws, the winner will be decided by a coin toss within two days after the canvass.

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – Southeast Idaho students took center stage at this year’s Patty Duke Awards, bringing home some of the biggest honors in Idaho high school theatre. Two of these honors include Southeast Idaho Students advancing to the Jimmy Awards Finals in New York City, considered the Tony Awards of High School Theatre.

Over the weekend, the 5th Annual Patty Duke Awards honored the remarkable talents of students, educators, and school communities across Idaho whose artistry, collaboration, and dedication created memorable performances. Students from Thunder Ridge High School earned several top awards, including Best Production, Best Stage Management, Best Sound Design, Best Ensemble, and honors for both lead and supporting actors.

One of the night’s biggest achievements also went to Thunder Ridge junior Benjamin Strock, who was named Best Actor in Idaho. Strock will now travel to New York City in June to compete at the Jimmy Awards — often referred to as the Tony Awards for high school theatre students. For Strock, the excitement of this dream is hard to contain.

“I was flabbergasted!” Strock said with a laugh and smile. “I have been dreaming of going to the Jimmy Awards since I first watched them in 8th grade. This is also going to be my first time going to New York City, which I’m extremely grateful for.”

Strock’s first trip to New York is shaping up to be a dream come true. He will take the stage at the iconic Broadway Minskoff Theatre, performing alongside 115 of the most talented high school students from across the nation. This exciting opportunity not only offers the chance to win a whopping $25,000 grand prize, but also opens the door to invaluable connections within the theatre industry. It’s an unforgettable moment that could kickstart his journey in the world of performing arts.

The Jimmy Awards, also known as NHSMTA, has become a vibrant celebration of high school musical talent in the U.S., with 58 regional programs impacting over 180,000 students from 2,600 schools. Every year, outstanding nominees from these competitions travel to New York City for an unforgettable experience. They participate in a theatre-intensive program filled with coaching, training, and rehearsals led by Broadway professionals. This all leads up to an exciting one-night-only performance showcasing their incredible talents.

In addition to the statewide title, Strock received a $2,000 scholarship to Boise State University, which can be used toward any field of study.

Thunder Ridge drama teacher Jorden Cammack said the recognition reflects the dedication and growing talent within Southeast Idaho’s theatre community.

“It was a little mind-blowing and breathtaking, and at the same time so rewarding,” said Cammack. “There are so many talented kids here and so much of a desire for the arts…I definitely hope that we’ll be able to bring another group of kids and perform again at the Patty Dukes.”

Highland High School in Pocatello also celebrated a major win. Dru Brower earned the title of Best Actress in Idaho and will join Strock in New York City for the Jimmy Awards this summer. Brower also received a $2,000 scholarship to Boise State University.

Another standout moment came when Highland High School student Milee Dayley became the first-ever recipient of the Outstanding Dancer Award, a brand-new honor introduced this year at the Patty Duke Awards. Dayley also earned a $1,000 scholarship to Boise State University.

The Jimmy Awards livestream is scheduled for June 22, where Idaho audiences will be able to watch Strock and Brower represent the state on a national stage. For a full list of all Patty Duke Award Recipients from this weekend, click here.

Congratulations to all students and faculty recognized!

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – For the second election in a row, Kelly Golden is facing incumbent Stephanie Mickelsen in the contest for Legislative District 32 Seat A.

Polls open Tuesday from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. across Eastern Idaho.

The two identified their top issues in the race.

Stephanie Mickelsen: “My top three issues would be one – affordability, two is education, and three is probably public safety or water.”

Kelly Golden: “To me, the top three major issues have been an economy that works for Idaho, immigration, and school choice – so educational freedom for parents.”

They also and shared their priorities on funding for education.

Stephanie Mickelsen: “I think we have to look at the funding formula for schools. Right now, we have a differential because they’re paying online, private charter schools the same amount as they’re paying our bricks-and-mortar schools. When bricks-and-mortar schools are having to pay for things like janitors and lunch ladies, and online schools don’t have those same things, we need to have that reflected in the funding formula. We also need to make sure that we restore some of the funding to the colleges. The colleges like [College of] Eastern Idaho, for example, because we’re creating huge backlogs.”

Kelly Golden: “I’m for school choice and educational freedom. I’m a strong backer of House Bill 93. I believe that parents are the best suited to make those educational decisions for their kids. That and it’s hard because to say I’m pro-school choice doesn’t mean that I’m anti-teacher. I think there’s some amazing teachers in all of our school districts, and they are doing everything they can with the resources that they’re given.”

Watch our in-depth interviews below for their contrasting views on illegal immigration enforcement, Medicaid expansion and more.

Stephanie Mickelsen election interview.

Kelly Golden election interview.