Little Appoints Royer to Idaho House Seat

Gov. Brad Little appointed Kimberly Royer to fill the District 9 Seat A vacancy left by John Shirts, who became Idaho's U.S. Attorney.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in People

Bold vector editorial illustration of a single empty wooden legislative chair centered in a bare chamber, with a distant mountain silhouette through a tall window. — Gov. Brad Little appointed Kimberly Royer of Cambridge on November 13 to fill Idaho House District 9 Seat A, vacated by John Shirts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Gov. Brad Little appointed Kimberly Royer of Cambridge to the Idaho House of Representatives on November 13, 2026. Royer will serve the remainder of John Shirts' term for Legislative District 9 Seat A.

Why it matters

The vacancy opened after Shirts was appointed Idaho's U.S. Attorney in October, following the retirement of Bart M. Davis. The appointment fills the seat through the end of the term on December 1, 2028, for District 9 voters in Idaho.

Royer retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency after 25 years and previously served as county executive director in Idaho from 2007 to 2021. The Animal Damage Control Board she chaired oversees a budget of about $800,000.

The players

Brad Little

Brad Little is the Governor of Idaho, who made the appointment to fill the legislative vacancy.

Kimberly Royer

Kimberly Royer is a longtime Idaho agricultural official and rancher who has chaired the Idaho Animal Damage Control Board.

John Shirts

John Shirts is a former Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Idaho who was appointed Idaho's U.S. Attorney in October 2026.

The details

Royer, co-owner and operator of Dixie Creek Ranch, served on the Idaho Sheep and Goat Health Board from 2014 to 2022. Shirts, who was reelected unopposed in November 2026, previously served as Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Idaho from 2018 to 2024.

October 17, 2026: Bart M. Davis retired as Idaho's U.S. Attorney.
October 2026: John Shirts was appointed Idaho's U.S. Attorney.
November 13, 2026: Gov. Brad Little appointed Kimberly Royer to the Idaho House.
December 1, 2028: Royer's appointed term concludes.

Leadership Pipeline

Royer's appointment fills a seat vacated when Shirts moved into a federal post, the same pattern by which Idaho governors have filled mid-term legislative vacancies under the state's appointment authority. Her agricultural background continues a line of rural and farm-sector representation in District 9.

District 9 residents will be represented by Royer through December 1, 2028, when the term ends and the seat is next up under state election rules. Voters will have a chance to choose their representative when the term concludes.

The takeaway

Mid-term legislative appointments can reshape a district's representation quickly, so following who fills vacancies and when their terms end helps readers track who is making decisions on their behalf.