Democrats Flip Both Idaho District 26 House Seats

Democrats gained six Idaho legislative seats statewide, while Republicans keep supermajorities in both chambers.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Elections

Democrats Flip Both Idaho District 26 House Seats

Live Poll

Are everyday costs like rent, groceries, and gas getting harder for you to afford?

Democrats flipped both District 26 House seats from Republican control in Idaho on Election Day. Democrats gained six seats statewide, though Republicans will hold supermajorities in both the House and Senate when the 2027 session begins.

Why it matters

The results give Democrats 20% of the seats in both chambers of the Idaho legislature, a shift that comes as voters cite cost-of-living pressures. Winners in the district said rent, groceries, gas and healthcare costs drove voter frustration.

Democrats will hold 20% of the seats in both Idaho legislative chambers, while Republicans will keep supermajorities in the House and Senate when the 2027 session begins. Turnout reached 76% in Blaine County, 68% in Jerome County and 64% in Lincoln County, but the source does not compare these figures with earlier cycles.

The players

Anita Janis

Janis is a Democrat who won Idaho House Seat A from Jerome County and will serve in the Idaho House in Boise.

Kevin Marsh

Marsh is a Democrat who won the open District 26 Seat B in Idaho's legislature.

Mike Pohanka

Pohanka is the Republican incumbent who lost House Seat A to Democrat Anita Janis.

Lyle Johnstone

Johnstone is the Republican candidate who lost the District 26 Seat B race to Democrat Kevin Marsh.

The details

Kevin Marsh won the open District 26 Seat B over Republican Lyle Johnstone, and Anita Janis won House Seat A, defeating Republican incumbent Mike Pohanka. Marsh learned he had won the morning after the election, before results were known on election night, and Janis credited frustrations with rent, groceries, gas and healthcare costs for her win.

Election Day was November 3, 2026, when voting took place.
Marsh and the District 26 results were confirmed the morning of November 4, 2026.
The Idaho legislative session begins in 2027, with Republican supermajorities in both chambers.

Political Context

Republicans retain supermajorities in both Idaho chambers even after Democrats flipped District 26's two House seats and gained six seats statewide. The result leaves Democrats with 20% of seats in each chamber, limiting their ability to block Republican-led legislation.

The shift gives Democrats a larger voice on issues like rent, groceries, gas and healthcare costs, which Janis said drove voters. Idaho residents will see the effects when the legislature convenes in 2027 under continued Republican supermajorities.

The takeaway

Voter concern over everyday costs can shift legislative representation even within a state where one party holds supermajorities. Readers following local races should track turnout and candidate messaging on cost of living.