U.S. House · Idaho's 2nd District
Eastern Idaho, including Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls, and Boise's eastern portion.
General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED
Michael K. Simpson, projected winner
| Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Simpson | 170,721 | 51.7% |
| Ellie Gilbreath | 133,062 | 40.3% |
| Tripp Hutchinson | 11,628 | 3.5% |
| Emre Houser | 7,848 | 2.4% |
| Will Johanson | 7,139 | 2.2% |
About 99% of the expected vote counted. As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. NBC News ↗
Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research
- Incumbent Michael K. Simpson defeated Brian Keene and Perry Shumway in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary with 63.3% of the vote. Elinor Gilbreath defeated Julie Wiley (who unofficially withdrew) in the Democratic primary with 72.5% of the vote. Will Johanson advanced from the Libertarian primary; Idaho Law (Constitution Party) is listed as withdrawn or disqualified and does not appear in the general election.[1]
- The Cook Political Report rates this district R+13 by partisan voting index.[1]
On the November 3 ballot · 5 candidates
Issue evidence — side by side
Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.
Protect legal access to abortion
- Michael K. SimpsonRecorded votes[40][41][42]
Voted no on Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755, 2021-09-24). Voted no on Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 (H.R. 8296, 2022-07-15). Voted yes on Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36, 2017-10-03), which would have banned most abortions after 20 weeks.
- Elinor Gilbreath—
- Will Johanson—
- Emre Houser—
- Tripp Hutchinson—
Stricter gun laws
- Michael K. SimpsonRecorded votes[35][36][37][38]
Voted no on Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8, 2019-02-27), which would have required background checks on most private gun sales. Voted no on Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808, 2022-07-29), which would have banned the sale of many semiautomatic assault weapons. Voted no on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938, 2022-06-24), which expanded background checks for buyers under 21 and funded state red-flag programs. Voted yes on Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38, 2017-12-06), which would have required states to honor other states' concealed-carry permits.
- Elinor Gilbreath—
- Will Johanson—
- Emre Houser—
- Tripp Hutchinson—
Expand immigration enforcement and deportations
- Michael K. SimpsonRecorded votes[18][19][20][21][22][23][24]
Voted yes on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations. Voted yes on Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2, 2023-05-11). Voted no on American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6, 2019-06-04; 2021-03-18).
- Elinor GilbreathIn their own words[8]
“America is a closed border nation. We need a strong secure border.”
In the Idaho Capital Sun voter guide questionnaire
- Will JohansonIn their own words[9]
“the runaway immigration—both legal and illegal—depresses wages, drives up the cost of housing, and makes our communities less safe.”
In the CBS2/FOX9 candidate survey, Aug. 2026
- Emre HouserIn their own words[10]
“ICE raids keep legal workers home. Not having our workers safely making it to their jobs hurts every industry and will be felt in every corner of our state.”
On the Agricultural Support section of his campaign platform page
- Tripp HutchinsonIn their own words[8]
“Congress needs to legislate a much more efficient and robust pathway to citizenship for law abiding immigrants that are already in our country.”
In the Idaho Capital Sun voter guide questionnaire
Stronger rent regulation and tenant protections
- Michael K. Simpson—
- Elinor GilbreathIn their own words[7]
“Lower rental rates by preventing algorithm-based price-fixing by property management companies, which has cost Idahoans hundreds of millions of dollars.”
On her campaign policies page
- Will Johanson—
- Emre Houser—
- Tripp Hutchinson—
Loosen zoning rules to build more housing
- Michael K. Simpson—
- Elinor GilbreathIn their own words[7]
“Lower the cost of housing by expanding the ROAD to Housing Act, cutting more red tape, funding rural housing, and outright banning corporate purchase of single-family homes.”
On her campaign policies page
- Will Johanson—
- Emre Houser—
- Tripp Hutchinson—
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations
- Michael K. SimpsonRecorded votes[19][20][21][31][30]
Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03; 2017-12-20), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent. Voted no on Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376, 2022-08-12), which added a 15% minimum tax on large corporations and a stock-buyback excise tax.
- Elinor GilbreathSupports[7]
Her campaign policies page calls for closing tax loopholes that favor corporations and the ultra-wealthy and for collecting unpaid taxes owed by billionaires.
- Will Johanson—
- Emre HouserSupports[10]
His campaign platform calls for ending tax loopholes and the "buy, borrow, die" system, and for removing the Social Security wage cap.
- Tripp Hutchinson—
Expand public health coverage
- Michael K. SimpsonRecorded votes[19][20][21][26][27][28]
Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted no on Breaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08), which extended enhanced ACA premium subsidies. Voted no on Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590, 2010-03-21). Voted yes on American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628, 2017-05-04), which would have capped federal Medicaid funding and ended enhanced funding for the Medicaid expansion.
- Elinor GilbreathSupports[7]
Her campaign policies page calls for fully funding Medicare and Medicaid and restoring ACA tax credits.
- Will JohansonIn their own words[9]
“healthcare costs have gone completely out of control, and the root cause is our tangled web of regulation that benefits the largest corporations and stifles free-market competition.”
In the CBS2/FOX9 candidate survey, Aug. 2026
- Emre HouserIn their own words[10]
“If the drug prices that the Veterans Administration pays for drugs were applied to Medicare and Medicaid, the estimated annual savings for the Government and copays would range from $20-$40 billion per year.”
On the Medical Spending Savings section of his campaign platform page
- Tripp HutchinsonSupports[8]
In the Idaho Capital Sun questionnaire, says he is working toward a public single-payer system.
Faster transition away from fossil fuels
- Michael K. Simpson
- Elinor Gilbreath—
- Will Johanson—
- Emre Houser—
- Tripp Hutchinson—
Raise the minimum wage
Broad tariffs on imported goods
- Michael K. SimpsonRecorded votes[34]
Voted no on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11), which disapproved the tariffs on Canadian imports.
- Elinor GilbreathIn their own words[7]
“Adjust tariffs, return Constitutional controls to Congress, lowering the cost of groceries, farm supplies, and construction.”
On her campaign policies page
- Will Johanson—
- Emre HouserMixed[10]
His campaign platform says current tariffs raise household costs but that responsible tariffs are useful in limited circumstances.
- Tripp Hutchinson—
Universal, publicly funded child care
- Michael K. SimpsonRecorded votes[29]
Voted no on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19), which would have funded universal pre-K and child-care subsidies.
- Elinor Gilbreath—
- Will Johanson—
- Emre Houser—
- Tripp Hutchinson—
Require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote
- Michael K. SimpsonRecorded votes[25]
Voted yes on SAVE Act (H.R. 22, 2025-04-10).
- Elinor GilbreathOpposes[8]
In the Idaho Capital Sun questionnaire, says documentary proof of citizenship requirements in the SAVE Act create barriers for eligible citizens.
- Will Johanson—
- Emre Houser—
- Tripp HutchinsonOpposes[8]
Asked in the Idaho Capital Sun questionnaire whether he supports the SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register, says he does not.
Require Congress to approve U.S. military action abroad
- Michael K. SimpsonRecorded votes[32][33]
Voted no on War Powers Resolution on Venezuela (H. Con. Res. 64, 2025-12-17), which would have directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Venezuela absent congressional authorization. Voted no on War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities (H. Con. Res. 86, 2026-06-03), which directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran absent congressional authorization.
- Elinor Gilbreath—
- Will Johanson—
- Emre Houser—
- Tripp Hutchinson—
Research notes & limits
Basic-tier research; no key floor votes or FEC totals compiled for Simpson (added later by script). Biographies drawn from official bio, campaign sites (Johanson, Houser, Hutchinson), and Idaho Mountain Express/EastIdahoNews.com reporting; Gilbreath's campaign site (ellieforidaho.com) could not be fetched. No birthplace, education or age found for Houser, Hutchinson or Gilbreath.
Sources · 62
Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.
- 1.Idaho's 2nd Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 2.Michael K. Simpson · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.Elinor Gilbreath - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
- 4.Immigration · Office of Rep. Mike Simpson Official record
- 5.Fiscal Responsibility · Office of Rep. Mike Simpson Official record
- 6.Energy · Office of Rep. Mike Simpson Official record
- 7.Policies — Ellie for Idaho · Ellie for Idaho campaign website · 2026-10-03 Candidate's own words
- 8.U.S. House of Representatives, District 2 (2026 general election voter guide) · Idaho Capital Sun · 2026 News report
- 9.2026 general election survey: U.S. House of Representatives District 2 · CBS2 / FOX9 Idaho (Idaho News) · 2026-08-24 News report
- 10.Platform · Houser for Idaho (campaign site) Candidate's own words
- 11.Meet Mike · Office of Rep. Mike Simpson Official record
- 12.Mike Simpson (American politician) · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 13.Michael K. Simpson · Ballotpedia Reference
- 14.Idaho U.S. House District 2 election results 2026 · NBC News · 2026-11-09 News report
- 15.H.R. 7296, the SAVE America Act (SAVE America Act) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 16.H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 17.H.R. 722, the Life at Conception Act (Life at Conception Act) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
- 18.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
- 19.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
- 20.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
- 21.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
- 22.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
- 23.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-06-04 Official record
- 24.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-03-18 Official record
- 25.Roll call: SAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-04-10 Official record
- 26.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
- 27.Roll call: Affordable Care Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2010-03-21 Official record
- 28.Roll call: American Health Care Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2017-05-04 Official record
- 29.Roll call: Build Back Better Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-11-19 Official record
- 30.Roll call: Inflation Reduction Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-08-12 Official record
- 31.Roll call: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2017-12-20 Official record
- 32.Roll call: War Powers Resolution on Venezuela · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-12-17 Official record
- 33.Roll call: War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-06-03 Official record
- 34.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
- 35.Roll call: Bipartisan Background Checks Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-02-27 Official record
- 36.Roll call: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-29 Official record
- 37.Roll call: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-06-24 Official record
- 38.Roll call: Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2017-12-06 Official record
- 39.Roll call: Raise the Wage Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-07-18 Official record
- 40.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-09-24 Official record
- 41.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-15 Official record
- 42.Roll call: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2017-10-03 Official record
- 43.Elinor Gilbreath - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Candidate's own words
- 44.Elinor Gilbreath · Ballotpedia Reference
- 45.Ketchum resident runs for Congress · Idaho Mountain Express · 2026-03-18 News report
- 46.'Idaho is not for sale': Why Democrat Ellie Gilbreath thinks it's time for change in the state's 2nd Congressional District · EastIdahoNews.com · 2026-05-23 News report
- 47.Idaho Democratic U.S. House District 2 primary race · Idaho Capital Sun News report
- 48.U.S. Representative Mike Simpson advances to November election as he seeks 15th term in U.S. House · KIVI-TV News report
- 49.Voter guide: Elinor Gilbreath · Local News 8 · 2026-05-12 News report
- 50.U.S. House, Idaho's 2nd District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 51.Idaho's 2nd Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 52.Meet your candidate · Johanson for Idaho Candidate's own words
- 53.U.S. House, Idaho's 2nd District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 54.Idaho's 2nd Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 55.Houser for Idaho · Houser for Idaho Candidate's own words
- 56.The Oath Never Expires · Houser for Idaho Candidate's own words
- 57.U.S. House, Idaho's 2nd District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 58.Idaho's 2nd Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 59.Ketchum councilman sentenced for misdemeanor · Idaho Mountain Express · 2026-04-06 News report
- 60.Tripp Hutchinson for United States Congress (ID-2) · Tripp Hutchinson for Congress Candidate's own words
- 61.Ketchum councilman announces run for Congress · Idaho Mountain Express · 2026-02-13 News report
- 62.U.S. House, Idaho's 2nd District results 2026 · NBC News News report