Brad Little
Governor · Idaho
Republican
Biography
Brad Little (Republican Party) is the Governor of Idaho. He assumed office on January 7, 2019. His current term ends on January 4, 2027. Little received a B.S. in agribusiness from the University of Idaho in 1977. He managed his family's farming and cattle operation businesses called Little Land and Livestock for thirty years. In 2009, he handed managerial duties of Little Land and Livestock to his son. Little's political career began with an appointment to the Idaho State Senate in 2001. He remained in the Senate until he was appointed lieutenant governor of Idaho in 2009 to fill a vacancy caused by Jim Risch's (R) election to the U.S. Senate. He was re-elected as lieutenant governor in both 2010 and 2014. Little was elected governor in 2018. In the primary election, he defeated then-U.S. Rep. Raúl Labrador (R) 37.3%-32.6%. Business executive Tommy Ahlquist (R) finished third in the primary with 26.2%. In the general election, he defeated former state Rep. Paulette E. Jordan (D) 59.8%-38.2%. Little succeeded three-term Gov. Butch Otter (R). Little defeated then-Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin (R) in the 2022 gubernatorial primary 52.8%-32.2%. The two candidates disagreed over the state's responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including stay-at-home orders and vaccination and testing requirements. Twice, when Little left the state on official business, McGeachin used her powers as acting governor to issue executive orders. Little rescinded both orders. Little defeated Stephen Heidt (D) in the general election 60.5%-20.3%.
On the record
- Education
- University of Idaho
- Religion
- Christian: Episcopalian
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