Idaho Governor

The Candidates

Paulette E. Jordan

Party:: Democratic
Age:: 44
City:: Plummer, Idaho

Education: Graduated from Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane in 1998. Earned bachelor's degrees in communications, comparative literature and American Indian studies from the University of Washington in 2003.

Political Experience: Elected to serve on the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Council from 2009 to 2012. Won two close elections to represent the 5th Legislative District in the Idaho House of Representatives from 2014 to 2018, when she stepped down for an unsuccessful run for governor.

Work Experience: Board member of the National Indian Gaming Association from 2010 to present and founded the nonprofit Save the American Salmon in 2018.

Family: Has two boys, ages 11 and 16.

Campaign Fundraising: Raised nearly $250,000 as of Oct. 1. Top contributors include the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Lummi Indian Business Council, and individual donors through the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue.

Brad Little

Party:: Republican
City:: Emmett, Idaho
Occupation:: Lieutenant governor, rancher

Rancher and former chairman of the Idaho Wool Growers Association. Little is a third-generation Idahoan and scion of a well-known ranching family. A University of Idaho graduate, he served four terms in the state Senate before being appointed lieutenant governor by Gov. Butch Otter in 2009; he won a full term in 2010, and is now seeking another.

Complete Coverage

Idaho looks into loud cannon fire at governor’s inauguration

January 25, 2019 5:13 p.m.

Idaho National Guard’s commanding officer says he will look into 19 startlingly loud ceremonial canon blasts that were part of Gov. Brad Little’s inauguration.

Lawmakers see Idaho revenue projections lower than governor

January 11, 2019 8:27 a.m.

A pair of budget-related committees accepted Gov. Brad Little’s projected revenue of $3.75 billion for the current fiscal year, but reduced it for the following year.

Idaho appeals ruling ordering surgery for transgender inmate

January 9, 2019 4:06 p.m.

Idaho said Wednesday it will appeal a recent court ruling ordering the state to provide gender confirmation surgery to a transgender inmate.

Inauguration ceremony held for top Idaho elected officials

January 4, 2019 3:27 p.m.

Outgoing Lt. Gov. Brad Little took the oath of office Friday as Idaho’s 33rd governor, although under the state Constitution he won’t officially become governor and assume those duties until a private swearing-in ceremony Monday.

Governor-elect commits to Medicaid expansion

January 3, 2019 1:30 p.m.

Gov.-elect Brad Little said Thursday he’s committed to implementing a voter-approved expansion of Medicaid coverage but has concerns on the specifics of how it’s done.

Gov.-elect Little names budget chief

December 12, 2018 8:13 p.m.

Gov.-elect Brad Little has named his budget chief.

Gov.-elect Little names chief of staff

November 16, 2018 10:56 a.m.

Idaho Gov.-elect Brad Little has named his campaign manager as his chief of staff.

Republican Brad Little wins Idaho governor’s race

November 6, 2018 10:51 p.m.

Longtime Republican lawmaker Brad Little defeated Democratic challenger Paulette Jordan on Tuesday to become Idaho’s next governor.

Country sees high number of Native American candidates

November 3, 2018 3:33 p.m.

Deb Haaland is not the first Native American woman to run for Congress, but she could be one of the first elected Tuesday. More than 100 Native Americans are seeking seats in Congress, governor’s offices, state legislatures and other posts across the country in what political observers say has been a record number of candidates.

Idaho GOP takes down social media posts mocking Democrat Paulette Jordan

October 23, 2018 2:57 p.m.

The Idaho Republican Party has removed social media posts that added a mocking laugh track aimed at a Democratic candidate.

Idaho tries to determine if licensing rules are too onerous

October 23, 2018 2:29 p.m.

Idaho officials are working to determine whether occupational licenses the state requires have gone beyond protecting public safety and now unduly limit job opportunities.

Fundraising in governor’s race eclipsed by initiative campaigns

October 11, 2018 9 a.m.

After a hotly contested primary race that saw the candidates for governor spend more than $4 million combined, campaign finance reports filed Wednesday show much lower figures for rivals Brad Little and Paulette Jordan. Much higher amounts were raised and spent over the same time period by the campaigns for and against Proposition 1, which would authorize “historical horse racing” betting machines at Idaho racetracks.