Governor of Idaho
John Stegner
Mediator; former Idaho Supreme Court justice (2018–2023)IND
- Race
- Governor of Idaho
- Election
- 2026-11-03
- Opponents
- Brad Little (R); Terri Pickens (D); Paul Sand (LIB); Pro-Life (Constitution); Jacob Burnett (IND)
- Research
- Basic
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did2 statements · 0 votes
I support rescinding the vouchers.
Public funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotGovernor
2026-11-03
| Brad Little R | incumbent |
| Terri Pickens D | challenger |
| John Stegner IND | challenger |
| Paul Sand LIB | challenger |
| Pro-Life Constitution | challenger |
| Jacob Burnett IND | challenger |
Independent candidate; no party primary.
Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
I support rescinding the vouchers.
Supports repealing the private-school tax credit, saying it diverts about $50 million from public education.[6]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
I would support legislation that would reinstate access to the 42,000 recently removed from Medicaid access.
Says he would support legislation to reinstate Medicaid access to those who recently lost it.[6]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Biography
John Stegner is an independent candidate for governor of Idaho and a retired Idaho Supreme Court justice. He was a state district judge from 1997 to 2018 and sat on the Supreme Court from 2018 to 2023, and is known for starting drug and treatment courts. His priorities are keeping public lands public, fully funding public education (including repealing the private-school tax credit) and expanding access to medical care.[1][2][3][4][5]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Stegner was born and raised in Grangeville, Idaho.[2][7] He earned a B.A. from Whitman College in 1977 and a J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1982.[2]
He practiced law in Lewiston, including twelve years with the firm Clements, Brown & McNichols, clerked for U.S. District Judge Harold L. Ryan and worked for the family business, Stegner Grain & Seed.[2][7] Stegner was appointed a district judge in Latah County, based in Moscow, and served on the bench from 1997 to 2018.[2][4]
Gov. Butch Otter appointed Stegner to the Idaho Supreme Court in May 2018, and he retired from the court on October 31, 2023.[2][4] Stegner was a Republican for much of his life and announced in early 2026 that he would run for governor as an independent.[2]
In their own words
Priorities
Statements, quoted without a stance
- Expand immigration enforcement and deportations
“I would not have entered into the agreement with ICE had I been the governor”[9]
At the Oct. 6, 2026 League of Women Voters of Idaho forum, per Idaho Capital Sun, on the state's 287(g) agreement
Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.
Profile: /people/john-stegner
Compare all 6 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.John Stegner for Governor · John Stegner for Governor · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
- 2.John Stegner · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 3.Idaho governor — 2026 General Election Voter Guide · Idaho Capital Sun · 2026-10-19 News report
- 4.Independent John Stegner launches campaign for Idaho governor · Idaho Capital Sun · 2026-10-19 News report
- 5.Priorities · John Stegner for Governor · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
- 6.Idaho governor — 2026 General Election Voter Guide · Idaho Capital Sun · 2026-10-19 News report
- 7.Former Idaho Supreme Court Justice eyes governorship · Coeur d'Alene Press · 2026-10-19 News report
- 8.Priorities · John Stegner for Governor · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
- 9.Pickens, Stegner pledge policy changes in Idaho gubernatorial candidate forum · Idaho Capital Sun · 2026-10-19 News report