Kaylee
Peterson
Democrat Kaylee Peterson challenges incumbent Russ Fulcher in Idaho's 1st Congressional District for the third time in 2026
- sources
- 10
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 3
Background
Kaylee Peterson is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Idaho's 1st Congressional District, challenging Republican incumbent Russ Fulcher. She has run for the same seat in the 2022 and 2024 general elections, according to the Idaho Secretary of State's candidate record. 195
Peterson lives in Eagle, Idaho, with her family. Her campaign biography describes her as a grassroots organizer who has advocated for Idaho youth in foster care and in schools. Before entering political organizing, she worked in retail and service jobs and managed teams. A 2022 report noted she had also managed a campaign for a state legislative candidate and later stayed home with her children. 1149
She is pursuing a double major in political science and criminal justice at the College of Western Idaho; her LinkedIn profile lists an Associate of Arts in Political Science and Government from that school (2020–2023). She also served as president of the Idaho Young Democrats from February to December 2023, an organizational role. Since February 2023 she has listed Political Affairs Director at Fred Cornforth Estate on LinkedIn. 1148
Peterson faces incumbent Russ Fulcher in the November 3, 2026 general election in a district that covers North and West Idaho. 57
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Idaho
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Political Affairs Director at Fred Cornforth Estate
- Website
- kayleeforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Date unknownendorsementIdaho Education Association PAC endorses Peterson for the 2026 general election
The Idaho Education Association PAC listed Peterson among its endorsed candidates for the 2026 general election. The exact publication date of the endorsement was not provided in the cited summary.
Kaylee Peterson, U.S. House District 1 | Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 10endorsementIdaho Press reader letter expresses support for Peterson
A reader letter published in the Idaho Press expressed support for Peterson. This is a reader's endorsement, not an institutional endorsement.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Land for data center, Congress, endorsements · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 20debateBonner County Daily Bee letter criticizes Fulcher's response to Peterson's debate invitation
A letter published in the Bonner County Daily Bee described October 17 as a tentative debate date and criticized Fulcher's response to Peterson's invitation. This reflects the letter writer's characterization, not an independently established account of Fulcher's position.
Fulcher's refusal to debate disrespects voters · Sep 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 24debatePeterson's campaign announces October 17 debate, invites Fulcher and Zabel
Peterson's campaign announced an October 17 debate and invited Rep. Russ Fulcher and Sarah Zabel. Peterson stated: 'My invitation to Congressman Fulcher stands, just as it has for four years.' Zabel said she would attend; Fulcher could not be reached for comment. As of October 12, it was not established whether Fulcher accepted or the event occurred.
Kaylee Peterson, U.S. House District 1 | Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 18newsPeterson outlines single-payer health care position in Idaho Capital Sun report
The Idaho Capital Sun reported Peterson favored a single-payer baseline while allowing private insurance options, quoting her: 'I think single-payer options right now would seem like the most affordable. While allowing the private market to do its thing, we bring some competition back into our healthcare market.'
Kaylee Peterson, U.S. House District 1 | Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 28pollChange Research poll: Fulcher 46%, Peterson 25% in ID-01 race (n=1,213)
A Change Research poll (n=1,213) showed Fulcher leading Peterson by 21 points. Constitution Party candidate Brendan Gomez was at 2% and Sarah Zabel at 4%. The sponsor and margin of error were not reported.
ID-01 House race 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 23pollSurveyUSA poll: Fulcher 45%, Peterson 35%, Zabel 6% in ID-01 race
A SurveyUSA survey showed Russ Fulcher leading Peterson by 10 points in Idaho's 1st Congressional District general election race. Sample size and full methodology were not reported in the tracker excerpt.
ID-01 House race 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 19newsPeterson wins Democratic primary with ~87% of the vote
Peterson won the Democratic primary with 18,907 votes (87.09%), defeating Kenneth Brungardt who received 2,803 votes. NPR/AP results show slightly different totals (18,911 and 2,804).
Idaho Primary Election Results 2026 · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 12endorsementIdaho Statesman editorial board endorses Peterson in Democratic primary
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorsed Peterson in the Democratic primary, writing that she is 'more eloquent and knowledgeable about the issues' and that she 'acknowledges the district's deep red conservatism and distances herself from her party where necessary.'
Kaylee Peterson, U.S. House District 1 | Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Feb 24filingKaylee Peterson files for Idaho's 1st Congressional District seat
Peterson filed for the U.S. House District 1 seat; the Idaho Secretary of State listed the filing as approved, according to the Idaho Voter Guide.
Kaylee Peterson, U.S. House District 1 | Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Idaho Education Association's Political Action Committee for Education (PACE) unionListed among PACE's endorsed candidates for the 2026 general election. The IEA voter guide explains that PACE endorsements follow a formal, educator-led review process; no specific endorsement date is given. idahoea.org
- National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) unionReported as endorsing Peterson in an August 6, 2026 Spokesman-Review guest commentary. No specific endorsement date or further details provided. spokesman.com · Aug 6, 2026
- Idaho Statesman editorial board newspaperEndorsed Peterson in the May 2026 Democratic primary, not specifically for the general election. idahostatesman.com · May 12, 2026
Past elections
General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.
| Year | Seat | Result | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | U.S. House ID-01 · D | Lost | 82,261 | 26.3% |
Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $181K
- Spent
- $172K
- Cash on hand
- $15K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H2ID01192(opens in a new tab)
Sources 10
- [1] Idaho Primary Election Results 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Kaylee Peterson's Platform - A Government That Works(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Land for data center, Congress, endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [4] ID-01 House race 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [5] Kaylee Peterson, U.S. House District 1 | Idaho Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [6] Fulcher's refusal to debate disrespects voters(opens in a new tab) Sep 20, 2026
- [7] 2026 general election survey: U.S. House of Representatives District 1(opens in a new tab) Aug 24, 2026
- [8] Kaylee Peterson: When the wind picks up – what decades of bureaucracy and fire cuts cost Idaho(opens in a new tab) Aug 6, 2026
- [9] Idaho Statesman endorsement in Democratic primary for House(opens in a new tab) May 12, 2026
- [10] Elections Matter: Prepare to Vote on November 3(opens in a new tab) Apr 22, 2026