Ellsworth and Jones Will Face Off for Idaho Treasurer

Incumbent Julie Ellsworth and challenger Kevin Jones will compete for the state treasurer position on November 3, 2026.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Elections

Ellsworth and Jones Will Face Off for Idaho Treasurer

Live Poll

Does professional investment experience make a candidate better suited to serve as state treasurer?

Idaho voters will decide between incumbent state treasurer Julie Ellsworth and former institutional portfolio manager Kevin Jones in the general election on Nov. 3, 2026. The treasurer serves as the chief financial officer for the state, with oversight responsibilities for fund performance and investment policies.

Why it matters

The race highlights a clash in fiscal philosophy, as Kevin Jones aims to boost state investment yields while Julie Ellsworth prioritizes the long-term safety of public funds. Voters must determine if they favor the current stewardship model or a change in management strategy.

The IDLE fund has trailed its benchmark by .34% since its inception. While Julie Ellsworth focuses on fund security, Kevin Jones argues that his background as a portfolio manager can improve these returns.

The players

Julie Ellsworth

She is the incumbent Idaho state treasurer who previously served 12 years as a state representative and worked on investment legislation in the 1990s.

Kevin Jones

He is a former institutional portfolio manager challenging the incumbent for the treasurer seat.

The details

Kevin Jones intends to disaffiliate from the Democratic party the day after the election, shifting his status to independent. Meanwhile, Julie Ellsworth expects a full reconciliation process for the Luma financial software, which caused payment delays in 2024, to be operational by November.

Julie Ellsworth was first elected to the position in 2018.
The state controller launched the Luma software system in 2023.
Interest payments to state agencies were delayed during 2024.
The general election for state treasurer occurs on Nov. 3, 2026.
Kevin Jones intends to change his political affiliation on Nov. 4, 2026.

Political Context

The contest centers on the implementation of the Idaho Legislature's Luma financial system, which has faced significant criticism following state payment delays in 2024. Opposition figures argue that the current administration failed to adequately manage the transition, creating a key point of vulnerability for the incumbent.

The outcome of this race determines who manages state financial assets and oversees the disbursement of public funds to various state agencies. Voters will choose between maintaining current investment security policies or pursuing the potentially higher-yield strategies proposed by the challenger.

The takeaway

The election serves as a referendum on the state's financial management software and investment oversight performance. Voters should review the candidates' specific proposals regarding the Luma system reconciliation before casting their ballots.