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.[1][2][3][5] 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][3][4]
Stegner was born and raised in Grangeville, Idaho.[2][6] 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][6] Stegner was appointed a district judge in Latah County, based in Moscow, and served on the bench from 1997 to 2018.[2][5]
Gov. Butch Otter appointed Stegner to the Idaho Supreme Court in May 2018, and he retired from the court on October 31, 2023.[2][5] Stegner was a Republican for much of his life and announced in early 2026 that he would run for governor as an independent.[2]
- 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.Priorities · John Stegner for Governor · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
- 5.Independent John Stegner launches campaign for Idaho governor · Idaho Capital Sun · 2026-10-19 News report
- 6.Former Idaho Supreme Court Justice eyes governorship · Coeur d'Alene Press · 2026-10-19 News report
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.
On the ballot
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