Emre
Houser
Independent challenger Emre Houser, Air Force veteran and Idaho small-business owner, runs for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 6
- positions
- 7
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Emre Houser is an Independent candidate challenging for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District seat in the November 2026 general election. He is not the incumbent; Republican Mike Simpson holds the seat. 1611
Houser's campaign biography describes more than 27 years of combined service in the U.S. Air Force and Idaho National Guard. He joined the Air Force in 1995, was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base after technical school in March 1996, and transferred to the Idaho National Guard in Boise in 1999. He served deployments to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. 10
Alongside his military career, Houser has operated a small business in Idaho for more than 15 years. His campaign states he has made Idaho his home for nearly 30 years. He is based in Boise. 210
Houser has no prior elected office on record. The FEC lists him as a challenger for the 2026 race under candidate ID H6ID02282. 11
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 2, Idaho
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- houserforidaho.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Sep 30newsKREM/Idaho News 6 voter guide publishes summary of Houser's policy platform
A KREM/Idaho News 6 voter guide listed policy areas attributed to Houser's campaign, including public lands, term limits, congressional stock trading, Citizens United, Social Security, stock buybacks, and applying the Fairness Doctrine to social media. These are platform summaries, not new policy announcements.
Who is running for U.S. House of Representatives, Idaho's 2nd District? · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsIdaho State Journal reporters could not reach Houser for cost-of-living story
The Idaho State Journal reported that Houser 'also could not be reached' while covering congressional candidates' concerns about the high cost of living. He was not interviewed for the story.
Idaho District 2 congressional candidates say they're worried about ... · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15newsHouser did not respond to the Idaho Capital Sun voter-guide questionnaire
The Idaho Capital Sun's voter guide notes: 'This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.'
Emre Houser, U.S. House District 2 | Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15newsIdaho Capital Sun reports Houser had no FEC-reported contributions or expenditures
The Idaho Capital Sun reported that Houser and Libertarian candidate Will Johanson 'didn't have reported contributions or expenditures in FEC filings.' The FEC candidate profile listed no financial summary for the 2025–26 cycle.
Idaho District 2 congressional candidates say they're worried about ... · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 1newsHouser did not respond to a CBS2 candidate survey
CBS2's survey page reported that Houser did not respond to its candidate survey. No Houser answer or policy explanation from that survey is available. Exact date within August is not specified in the sources.
Emre Houser, U.S. House District 2 | Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 13newsHouser posts on Bluesky opposing what he calls a 'war of choice with Iran'
Houser wrote on Bluesky: 'This war of choice with Iran, is harmful to all of us.'
Emre Houser, U.S. House District 2 | Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Feb 26filingHouser's independent candidacy filing approved for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District
The Idaho Secretary of State's filed-candidates search lists Houser's filing as approved. He ran as an independent with no primary contest and is listed among candidates for the November 3 general election.
Emre Houser, U.S. House District 2 | Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Veterans for Idaho Voters (V4IV) organizationV4IV listed Houser among its endorsed candidates for the November 3, 2026 general election, writing: "Emre Houser's 27-plus years of military service give him the discipline, judgment, and commitment to mission that Idaho's 2nd District needs. He is running to represent constituents — not a party — and that is exactly the kind of independent voice that belongs in Congress." v4iv.org
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $0
- Spent
- $0
- Cash on hand
- $0
Reporting date not available. ↳ FEC record H6ID02282(opens in a new tab)
Sources 6
- [1] Endorsed Candidates — Veterans for Idaho Voters (V4IV)(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Emre Houser, U.S. House District 2 | Idaho Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [3] Who is running for U.S. House of Representatives, Idaho's 2nd District?(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [4] Idaho District 2 congressional candidates say they're worried about ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [5] Compare Candidates | 2026 Idaho's 2nd Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 28, 2026
- [6] Emre Houser(opens in a new tab) Jun 19, 2026