Idaho has some of the strongest gun laws in the country. But that doesn’t mean gun owners can afford to become complacent.

The Idaho Legislature is overwhelmingly Republican, but there are several competitive legislative races on the 2026 ballot. In those races, the outcome could come down to a relatively small number of votes.

There are plenty of differences between the candidates on the ballot. For the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, one of the most important is simple: Where do they stand on the Second Amendment?

That’s why we’re taking a closer look at three competitive legislative races and examining what the candidates have said, how they’ve answered the ISAA candidate survey, and, in the case of incumbent lawmakers, how they’ve actually voted on important gun-rights legislation.

We’re not telling voters how to vote. We’re giving gun owners the information they need to make their own decision.

Race 1: House District 26B – Lyle Johnstone (R) vs. Kevin Marsh (D)

House District 26B covers Blaine, Jerome, and Lincoln counties and has been one of Idaho’s more competitive legislative districts in recent election cycles.

In 2022, the Republican candidate won the seat by just 84 votes – 50.3% to 49.7%. In 2024, the Republican candidate again won, this time 51.5% to 48.5%, a margin of roughly 600 votes.

That makes every vote important, and it makes knowing where the candidates stand on the Second Amendment important as well.

Lyle Johnstone

Johnstone has returned the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance’s 2026 candidate survey with 100% pro-Second Amendment answers.

While Johnstone has not previously served in the Idaho Legislature and therefore does not have a legislative voting record for us to examine, he has been a longtime supporter of the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance and our efforts to protect and restore Second Amendment rights in Idaho.

He does not currently have anything on his website regarding the Second Amendment.

Kevin Marsh

Marsh has not returned the ISAA’s 2026 candidate survey.

That means voters don’t have his responses to the same Second Amendment questions that Johnstone has answered.

We also have not identified a public statement from Marsh outlining his position on the right to keep and bear arms, and there is no Second Amendment position listed on his campaign website.

For gun owners, that leaves an important question unanswered: Where does Kevin Marsh stand on the Second Amendment?

Many candidates who do not return our survey are hiding anti-gun positions. And since most Democrats in Idaho vote against every major pro-gun piece of legislation, it is unlikely he would break ranks with Democrats on gun votes if elected.

Race 2: Senate District 26 – Bryan Hyde (R) vs. Ron Taylor (D)

Senate District 26 is another competitive race, covering the same counties as Race 1: Blaine, Lincoln and Jerome counties.

Taylor has served in the Legislature since 2022 and won reelection in 2024 in a three-way race, receiving 45.6% of the vote to Republican Laurie Lickley’s 43.9%, with Independent Kala Tate receiving 10.5%. In 2022, Taylor defeated Lickley 51.6% to 48.4%.

This race also gives voters something the House 26B race does not: an incumbent with a legislative voting record.

Bryan Hyde

Hyde has returned the ISAA candidate survey with 100% pro-Second Amendment answers.

He has also been a longtime supporter of the ISAA and our efforts to expand and restore gun rights in Idaho.

Hyde has stated his position on the right to keep and bear arms clearly:

“Legitimate government requires the consent of the governed. That means the people must be capable of providing for their own defense. I am opposed to any policy that restricts the rights of peaceful individuals from protecting themselves.”

Ron Taylor

Taylor has not returned the ISAA’s 2026 candidate survey.

But unlike a first-time candidate, Taylor has a legislative voting record that voters can examine.

Among the significant pro-gun bills Taylor has voted against are:

• 2026 — SB 1430: Holds local governments accountable for violating Idaho’s firearms preemption law.
• 2024 — SB 1275: Protects employers who allow their employees to carry firearms.
• 2024 — SB 1374: Protects Idahoans’ rights to carry firearms on public property.

Taylor did break with other Democrats in 2026 by voting for SB 1430, legislation addressing violations of Idaho’s firearms preemption statute.

There is no specific statement about the right to keep and bear arms on Taylor’s campaign website that we have identified.

For gun owners, the contrast is not simply about party labels. It is about what candidates say, and, when they have a record, how they vote.

Race 3: Senate District 29

John Crowder (R) vs. James Ruchti (D)

Senate District 29 is another competitive district, covering the Pocatello area of Bannock County. Current election information confirms Republican John Crowder will face Democratic incumbent James Ruchti in the November general election.

John Crowder

Crowder has never served in the Idaho Legislature, so there is no legislative voting record to examine.

But Crowder did return the ISAA candidate survey with 100% pro-Second Amendment answers.

He has also supported the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance and our work at the Capitol for years.

James Ruchti

Ruchti has extensive legislative experience. He previously served in the Idaho House, returned to the Legislature in 2020, and moved to the Senate in 2022. Current election information identifies him as the Democratic incumbent in Senate District 29.

That gives voters a substantial voting record to examine.

Among the pro-gun bills Ruchti has voted against are:

• 2024 — SB 1275: Protects employers who allow their employees to carry firearms.
• 2021 — SB 1205: Expands the Second Amendment Preservation Act to provide additional protections against federal gun-control measures.

Ruchti did break with Democrats in 2026 by voting for SB 1430, legislation holding local governments accountable for violations of Idaho’s firearms preemption statute. In 2024, Ruchti also broke with Democrats and voted for SB 1374, which helped protect the right to carry on public property.

We have not identified a specific statement on the right to keep and bear arms on Ruchti’s campaign website.

Idaho Gun Owners Can’t Afford to Become Complacent

Idaho has earned its reputation as one of the strongest Second Amendment states in America. But those rights didn’t happen by accident, and they won’t preserve themselves.

Every legislative session brings new attempts to expand, restrict, restore or defend gun rights.

And every election determines who will be sitting in the Capitol when those votes happen.

That’s why gun owners should look beyond party labels and campaign slogans. Look at the candidates’ answers. Look at their public statements. And when they have a record, look at their votes.

The November 3 general election is approaching.

The Idaho Second Amendment Alliance isn’t telling you how to vote.

We’re telling you to pay attention.