Terri
Pickens

Pickens and independent John Stegner appeared at the League of Women Voters forum. Pickens pledged to reverse $450 million in 2025 tax cuts, restore Medicaid and public-education funding, oppose local ICE agreements, support Proposition 1 on reproductive freedom, and raise concerns about a proposed nuclear-fuel campus.

Pickens alleged that Stegner told her former husband in June—while seeking a donation—that she was dropping out of the race. Stegner denied the claim, saying he only asked for a contribution. Pickens stated she was staying in the race.

Idaho Sunshine campaign-finance figures showed Pickens had accepted $217,520.83 in contributions, $138,692.25 in expenditures, and $78,828.58 cash on hand as of September 30, trailing Republican fundraising totals.

In a Lewiston Tribune interview, Pickens cited polling putting Little at 37% and herself at 27%, arguing she sees a path to the governorship. She also appeared at a Coeur d'Alene event focused on affordability and change.

Pickens emphasized affordability, called for eliminating the grocery tax, opposed corporate and hedge-fund housing purchases, and sought to prohibit sale of public lands. She also criticized tax breaks she said benefited higher-income interests.

Pickens held campaign events in the North Idaho area, per the Bonner County Daily Bee.

An Advanced Targeting Research poll (n=700) showed Brad Little at 37.3%, Pickens at 27.2%, John Stegner at 12.8%, and Paul Sand at 2.8%. Methodology was not independently confirmed.

Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund included Terri Pickens in its Idaho statewide endorsements, as listed in the Idaho Voter Guide.

Certified results show Pickens received 30,326 votes (61.42%) to win the Democratic gubernatorial primary, securing her nomination.

The Idaho Voter Guide reports that Pickens's filing for governor was approved by the Idaho Secretary of State on February 23, 2026.