Who's In the Race

Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-ID) faces Democrat Kaylee Peterson and independent Sarah Zabel in the Nov. 3 general election in Idaho's 1st Congressional District. ​

Fulcher has represented the district since 2019 and previously served 10 years in the Idaho Senate, including six years as majority caucus chair. Peterson describes herself as a working mother, sixth-generation Idahoan and grassroots organizer. Zabel retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2018 as a major general, where she served as a senior leader in information-technology acquisition and process development.

The race record shows Fulcher won the May 19 Republican primary with about 78 percent of the vote over Andy Briner, and Peterson won the May 19 Democratic primary with about 87 percent over Ken Brungardt.

What They Stand For

Fulcher has argued that federal control of 63 percent of Idaho's natural resources complicates access and limits economic opportunities, according to his official House website. He's also supported geothermal energy to expand production and lower costs, legislation to protect Idahoans' privacy, and his stated concern that federal control of 63% of Idaho's natural resources complicates access and limits economic opportunities.

Peterson has called for single-payer health care to lower costs, according to the Idaho Press. She has also supported campaign-finance reform, congressional term limits, and a ban on members of Congress trading stocks, according to Ballotpedia; support for workers and protecting public lands, according to her campaign platform.

Zabel has described public lands as a "public trust," opposed state ownership or management of those lands, and highlighted the risk of Idahoans losing health-insurance coverage, according to her campaign website and the Daily News.

The Money Behind the Race

Through June 30, Russ Fulcher had raised about $663,000 and held about $245,000 in cash on hand, roughly 17 times the $15,000 Kaylee Peterson had on hand after raising about $181,000. Independent Zabel had raised about $81,000 and had about $24,000 on hand through the same date, with about $30,000 in debt. Outside groups have spent about $6,339 supporting Fulcher, all of it from the Freedom Caucus Fund.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans a 93.57 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 14, while Democrats stood at 6.43 percent.

Fulcher carried the district with about 71 percent in 2022 and about 68 percent in 2024. Republicans won both of Idaho's two U.S. House seats in 2024. Donald Trump carried Idaho with about 66 percent of the vote in the 2024 presidential election.

---

AllCiv makes it easy to stay politically informed and involved.

---

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article