Mitchell, Dawes to Compete in District 6 Election

The candidates will face off on November 3, 2026, for a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Homeschooling

Mitchell, Dawes to Compete in District 6 Election

Live Poll

Should your state provide tax credits for families to pay for private school tuition?

Republican incumbent Brandon Mitchell and Democratic challenger Kathy Dawes are campaigning for the District 6 seat in the Idaho House of Representatives. Voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to decide the outcome of this legislative race.

Why it matters

The election centers on House Bill 93, which provides state-funded tax credits for private education and homeschooling. Candidates disagree on whether these incentives empower parents or reduce accountability for private institutions.

The tax credit program established by House Bill 93 provides up to $5,000 annually per family for private education, tutoring, or homeschooling expenses. This program officially went into effect in January 2026.

The players

Brandon Mitchell

He is the incumbent Republican member of the Idaho House who has held his seat since 2021 and is currently seeking a fourth term.

Kathy Dawes

She is a Democrat and former science teacher who is challenging the incumbent in the race for the District 6 legislative seat.

The details

Incumbent Brandon Mitchell advocates for the tax credit as a way to prioritize parental choice in education, while former science teacher Kathy Dawes contends the program lacks sufficient oversight for participating schools. The outcome will determine representation for Moscow and the surrounding District 6 area.

Brandon Mitchell began his tenure in the Idaho House in 2021.
Kathy Dawes previously ran for the Idaho House in 2024.
House Bill 93 went into effect in January 2026.
The District 6 election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Culture Shift

The race reflects a broader national movement to shift public funds toward private and home-based education models. This positions District 6 as a microcosm of the intense political debate regarding the privatization of state-supported schooling.

Residents in District 6 will see the immediate effects of the education tax credit policy in their household budgets if they choose private options. Voters must weigh these financial incentives against concerns regarding the oversight of non-public educational institutions.

The takeaway

Voters should evaluate how the $5,000 credit influences their own educational planning for the upcoming school year. The result of the November 3 election will likely dictate the future of state-funded private education support in the region.