U.S. House · Idaho's 2nd District
Will Johanson
CandidateLIB
- Race
- U.S. House · Idaho's 2nd District
- Result
- Michael K. Simpson, projected winner
- Opponents
- Michael K. Simpson (R); Elinor Gilbreath (D); Emre Houser (IND); Tripp Hutchinson (IND)
- Research
- Basic
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did0 statements · 0 votes
Will Johanson, a Libertarian Party engineer in Idaho's semiconductor industry, lost the November 3, 2026 election for U.S. House in Idaho's 2nd District to Mike Simpson. A former U.S. Navy nuclear operator, he advanced from the Libertarian primary on May 19, 2026.[1][2][3]
On the ballotU.S. House · 2
2026-11-03
| Michael K. Simpson R | incumbent |
| Elinor Gilbreath D | challenger |
| Will Johanson LIB | challenger |
| Emre Houser IND | challenger |
| Tripp Hutchinson IND | challenger |
Biography
Will Johanson, a Libertarian Party engineer in Idaho's semiconductor industry, lost the November 3, 2026 election for U.S. House in Idaho's 2nd District to Mike Simpson. A former U.S. Navy nuclear operator, he advanced from the Libertarian primary on May 19, 2026.[1][2][3]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
According to his campaign website, Johanson was born and raised in California's Central Valley, and his interest in liberty began during Ron Paul's 2008 presidential campaign.[2] He enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear operator and served aboard the USS Georgia as an Engineering Laboratory Technician, separating in 2020 as a Machinist's Mate (Nuclear) First Class (E-6).[2]
Johanson used the GI Bill to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in Materials Science & Engineering from Boise State University, according to his campaign website.[2] He works as an engineer in Idaho's semiconductor industry, and his campaign was headquartered in Boise.[2] He received 2.2% of the vote to Mike Simpson's 51.7%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[3]
In their own words
Priorities
- In the CBS2/FOX9 survey, names affordability as the biggest issue and says his plan is to vote no on increased warfare spending, subsidies, and taxes on the working class.[4]
- Says Congress should balance the budget, address healthcare costs, and address immigration.[4]
- Says he would introduce legislation to abolish the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.[4]
Statements, quoted without a stance
- Expand immigration enforcement and deportations
“the runaway immigration—both legal and illegal—depresses wages, drives up the cost of housing, and makes our communities less safe.”[4]
In the CBS2/FOX9 candidate survey, Aug. 2026
- Expand public health coverage
“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.”[4]
In the CBS2/FOX9 candidate survey, Aug. 2026
Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.
Profile: /people/will-johanson
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Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Idaho's 2nd Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 2.Meet your candidate · Johanson for Idaho Candidate's own words
- 3.U.S. House, Idaho's 2nd District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 4.2026 general election survey: U.S. House of Representatives District 2 · CBS2 / FOX9 Idaho (Idaho News) · 2026-08-24 News report