Idaho 2nd District
Mike Simpson (R) holds this seat and is running again. 5 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Mike Simpson
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 117 of 122 votes and bills.
Raised $1,409,212 since January 2025: 56% from PACs and other committees, 44% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Ellie Gilbreath
Democrat · attorney, mediator and coach from Ketchum, Idaho
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Gilbreath, and what Gilbreath has said and done settles only 2 of my principles. I went through it on October 25. A grade needs 4.
Voting in Idaho: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Ellie Gilbreath, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Gilbreath, so the grade above comes from this list: what Gilbreath has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Her policies page says capital should be taxed like labor and that an Idaho worker should not be taxed more than a Wall Street investor.
“Tax capital like labor. A dollar earned by an Idaho worker shouldn't be taxed more than a dollar earned by a Wall Street investor.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Raising the tax on investment income is a higher tax, which is against liberty on free markets.
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Her policies page also calls for cutting taxes for the working class, families and small businesses.
“Cut taxes for the working class, families and small businesses”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A tax cut with no tax named does not settle the free markets test.
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Her policies page calls for adjusting tariffs and returning constitutional control over them to Congress.
“Adjust tariffs, return constitutional controls to Congress”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Adjusting tariffs without saying whether to end them does not settle the measure.
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Her policies page calls for banning corporate purchase of single-family homes.
“outright banning corporate purchase of single-family homes”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A purchase ban is neither a price control nor a tax named in the measure, so the line does not settle it.
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Her policies page lists securing the borders under border and immigration.
“Secure our borders”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border is with liberty on borders.
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In the Idaho Capital Sun voter guide she wrote that America needs a strong secure border.
“America is a closed border nation. We need a strong secure border.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border is with liberty on borders.
Also on the ballot
Emre Houser (Independent), Tripp Hutchinson (Independent), Will Johanson (Libertarian).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Idaho 2nd District
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