Brad Little — Republican Candidate for Governor in Idaho, 2026

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Brad Little's "Enduring Idaho" plan prioritizes safeguarding healthcare access, particularly in rural communities. Idaho will invest nearly $1 billion in federal funds over five years to enhance rural healthcare affordability and accessibility, allocating $150 million to the workforce and $1 million to medical education. He also supports making Medicaid cuts to balance the state budget, but his plan does not propose repealing the voter-approved Medicaid expansion.

““Of course, the health and wellbeing of our people is the key to achieve lasting success,” Little said, referencing the name of his budget plan, Enduring Idaho . “That’s why our Enduring Idaho plan safeguards access to healthcare, particularly in rural communities. We know the affordability and accessibility of healthcare tops the list of concerns for Idahoans right now.” (Little, Idaho Capital Sun, January 12, 2026)”

Governor Brad Little supports initiatives such as Shared Stewardship and Good Neighbor Authority, aiming to protect communities from wildfire and improve forest health through increased logging and active management. He also advocates for expanding access to outdoor recreation, emphasizing the protection of public lands. Additionally, Little supports faster and more efficient permitting processes for various projects, including mining and energy production.

Governor Brad Little signed a bill in March 2022 that bans abortions after approximately six weeks, allowing family members to sue medical providers. While he supported the "pro-life policy," he voiced concerns that the civil enforcement mechanism might be unconstitutional. He also signed a 2020 "pro-life bill" that activated upon the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Little joined an amicus brief in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, arguing the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion, supporting state sovereignty and "preborn lives."

“I join many in Idaho and across the country today in welcoming the high court's long awaited decision upholding state sovereignty and protecting preborn lives. The decision provides clarity around landmark cases at the center of passionate debate in our country for nearly five decades. This is now clear – the ‘right’ to an abortion was a judicial creation. Abortion is not a right expressed in the U.S. Constitution, and abortion will be entrusted to the states and their people to regulate." (Governor Brad Little, comments on SCOTUS overrule of Roe v. Wade, gov.idaho.gov)”

Brad Little supports President Trump's "pro-America agenda," which he states includes a secure border. He aligns Idaho's workforce training programs, such as Idaho LAUNCH, with President Trump's Talent Strategy for America, aiming to reinforce America's competitive dominance over China. Little emphasizes putting the American worker first as a means to power a modern economy.

“We also talked about how Idaho advances his Talent Strategy for America through Idaho LAUNCH. Together, we are putting the American worker first. Innovative workforce training programs power a modern economy, reinforce America’s competitive dominance over China, and help Idaho workers earn more and afford more." - Brad Little, 2026 State of the State Address, Idaho Capital Sun, January 12, 2026.”

Brad Little prioritizes education, stating it will always be his top focus. His "ENDURING IDAHO" plan aims to keep public schools funded, preserve Idaho LAUNCH for workforce development, and ensure classroom funding is protected. Since taking office, state support for public schools has increased by 70%, teacher pay has been raised, and literacy programs have seen seven-fold investment. He also supports education freedom and protecting women's sports, and exempted K-12 education from state budget cuts.

“Education will always be my top priority. Our ENDURING IDAHO plan keeps public schools whole and ensures classroom funding is protected. Idaho’s public schools are the heart and soul of our communities – and our children are our future – which is why, even in a year of reduced revenues, schools remain our top priority. (Brad Little, 2026 State of the State Address, retrieved from idahocapitalsun.com and gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-sots.pdf)”

Research pending more substantial sources.