Simpson Leads Gilbreath in Idaho's Second District
Incumbent Republican Mike Simpson holds a wide early lead over Democrat Ellie Gilbreath in the Second Congressional District race.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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As of midnight PST on November 4, 2026, Mike Simpson held 51.39% of the vote, or 139,396 votes, against Democrat Ellie Gilbreath's 40.67%, or 110,333 votes. Simpson was seeking his 15th term representing Idaho's Second Congressional District in the U.S. House.
Why it matters
Simpson, who has held the seat since 1998, has sought to maintain his longtime hold on the district. The early tally gives him a clear advantage in a race that Idaho voters are still deciding.
As of 12:00 a.m. PST on November 4, 2026, Simpson led with 51.39% of the vote to Gilbreath's 40.67%, with Hutchinson at 3.48%, Houser at 2.32%, and Johanson at 2.14%. The figures reflect an unofficial partial count, and the final margin had not been confirmed.
The players
Mike Simpson
Mike Simpson is a Republican congressman who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies and previously worked at his family's dental practice in Blackfoot.
Ellie Gilbreath
Ellie Gilbreath is the Democratic candidate challenging Simpson, based in Ketchum.
The details
Simpson, 76, did not take part in debates with the other candidates and ran a fairly muted campaign. Gilbreath, of Ketchum, was among the challengers vying for the seat in the district that covers Idaho's western edge of Ada County and extends to Blaine County.
Timeline
1980: Simpson began serving on the Blackfoot City Council.
1984-1998: Simpson served in the Idaho Legislature.
1998: Simpson was first elected to the U.S. House.
November 4, 2026, 12:00 a.m. PST: Early tally showed Simpson leading.
Political Context
Simpson was first elected to the U.S. House in 1998 and has held the seat since, making this 2026 contest his bid for a 15th term. Gilbreath's challenge comes as Simpson's long tenure remains the central backdrop to the district's race.
Idaho voters in the Second Congressional District will determine whether Simpson continues representing them for another term. The outcome affects which candidate sets federal priorities for the district's residents.
The takeaway
Early returns can shift as more ballots are counted, so the final certified result will confirm who represents Idaho's Second District. Readers should watch for official totals before drawing conclusions.
Further reading
Track more results in the Elections section for Idaho.
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