The primary gubernatorial elections for the state of Idaho are on May 19. Currently, Idaho has just over one million registered voters. But what do BYU-Idaho students need to know about the candidates running for governor in May?

I did my best to reach out to three Democrats, nine Republicans and two independent candidates through Facebook Messenger and their websites to see what they wanted to tell BYUI students. There were also two Libertarian and one Constitution Party candidates that I did not attempt to contact.

I asked them two questions: Why should BYUI students vote for you? How would voting for you directly impact us?

Here's what they had to say.

Democrats

Maxine Durand: Durand has over a decade of experience in government and nonprofits. I contacted her on Messenger and received an answer the same day. Four days later, we had a phone call.This is what she said about why students should vote for her.

"I am young and progressive. I am actually trying to change things and not just go with the status quo," Durand said. "If you graduate from an Idaho high school, you would automatically have an associate's degree at an Idaho college of your choice. I think it would help bridge the gap that I've seen working in rural communities where there are people that would want to go to college, but they either can't afford it, or they have to go at a really slow pace because they're paying out of pocket. This gets more students faster through their college career and allows them to go for a higher degree."

Durand explained that she grew up as a farm kid and knows Idaho better than some of the other candidates.

"I don't plan on going anywhere one way or another. If I lose, I can't get on a private plane and go somewhere that's more hospitable," Durand said. "I'm going back to being a farm kid and finding another public service job. Do you want someone in leadership who actually understands what it's like to be the average Idahoan and has to go back to being that, no matter what happens next?"

Terri Pickens: Pickens served as a public defender in Nez Perce County before becoming a trial attorney in Boise. Then, in 2008, she founded Pickens Law. I contacted her on Messenger and on her website. She emailed me two days later with her response to my questions from her website.

"I am grateful that the Scroll is informing students about candidates," Pickens initial message said.

"I know the uncertainty facing people who invest their time and money in university training, while uncertainty clouds the horizon. Prospects can brighten significantly when our governor cares enough to tackle the issue. That is not happening now."

"BYU-Idaho students who vote for me will back a candidate who prioritizes career opportunities for graduates and other newer workers. I also will tackle brutal affordability problems – such as sky-high housing costs – that hit people new to the workforce hardest. And, I will stop the government from trampling the freedom you need to pursue life, liberty and happiness. Political leaders have no business telling us what dreams are state-sanctioned and what dreams are not."

"People just starting out in life need a break way more than do billionaires and wealthy insiders. Early-career workers put in the longest hours and are the best sources of innovative ideas that make American businesses prosperous. Yet, the same vital workers make the lowest wages and can’t afford basic needs. This crushing problem can only be solved by a governor who cares enough to make it a priority."

Pickens claims that she will find solutions to problems that new workers run into. She plans to create an agenda to help businesses.

Chanelle Torrez: Torrez does not have public information available about her. I found her Facebook profile, but it is not set up to receive messages. Torrez does not have a campaign website.

Republicans

Brad Little: Little has been the current governor of Idaho since 2019. Before that, he served as lieutenant governor and in the Idaho Senate. I contacted him on his governor website and was told to use his campaign website instead. I did, but did not receive a response.

Sean Crystal: Crystal previously ran to represent District 32A in the Idaho House of Representatives. I contacted him on Messenger, and he responded the next day.

"As a student today, a lot of you are about to walk into a reality that doesn’t make a lot of sense. Things are more expensive than they should be, getting started is harder than it should be and a lot of the people making the decisions that impact you aren’t living in that same reality."

"That’s a part of why I’m running. I don’t think you should have to leave Idaho just to get ahead. If you want to stay here, you should be able to build something, get into a career, learn a trade, or choose the path you desire without feeling like systematic processes are working against you."

"I’m also not big on government trying to run people’s lives. You’re an adult; you can make your own decisions. My job is to make sure you have the space and the opportunity to do that."

"As far as how voting for me actually impacts you - I’m not going to sit here and pretend that one election suddenly fixes everything. I believe we both understand that's not how this works, but it does change the direction."

Crystal expressed the need to have someone in the office who will help new graduates. He says he will do this by creating opportunities and a government that will make life easier. Crystal continued to say that many younger people do not vote, which is why there is little change.

"If you want Idaho to be a place you can actually build a future, this is one of the ways you can start shaping that," Crystal said.

Justin Plante: I contacted him on Messenger and received an answer the same day.

"Housing - Rexburg's exploding growth has made rent ridiculous, just like it is here in the Twin Falls area. Also, like Twin Falls, buying a home is out of the question for young adults. I have two that live in the state, and they can't even afford rent, let alone buying a home. What I can do is cut red tape to encourage building affordable homes, curb out-of-state investor dominance that raises our prices and audit waste to free up resources for more affordable options so you can actually live here. I cover much more detail on my website at https://www.idahoansfirst.com/housing-reform."

"Lower costs overall - Day one audits plus Citizen Task Forces spot fraud and waste, which we redirect the savings to education support, and keep tuition/living expenses down. No more excuses. Funds get to where they need to go."

"Accountable state government - Transparency dashboards, easy public access, real consequences for waste and abuse. Our taxes help us like they are supposed to instead of disappearing to only the Lord knows where."

Mark Fitzpatrick: Fitzpatrick spent time as a police officer before becoming a business owner. I contacted him on Messenger, and I received a response from his campaign team asking me to email him directly. I emailed him, but did not receive a response.

Daniel C. Fowler: I contacted him on his website and did not receive a response.

Ethan Giles: I contacted him on Messenger and received a response two days later.

"I’m running for Governor in the Republican Primary! I’m running for Governor to clean up our state debt. We must reverse those tax cuts that gave our surplus away! We must also redirect the school voucher program into Special Education."

Ron James: James was sworn in as county commissioner for District 3 on Jan. 13, 2025. It was challenging to find his website, but I was able to contact him. I did not receive a response.

Jill Kirkham: I contacted her on Messenger and did not receive a response.

Lisa Marie: It was challenging to find any information about her. I was not able to find any form of contact for her.

Independent

John R. Stegner: He served as an Idaho Supreme Court Justice for five years. I contacted him on Messenger and received a response from someone on his campaign team three days later, requesting to set up a phone call. After scheduling issues, I suggested Stegner email me his responses to the questions when he was available. I did not hear back.

Jacob Burnett: A write-in candidate. I was not able to find a social media contact for him, an email, or a website.

I contacted all of the candidates running for the Republican, Democratic and independent parties. This is not an exhaustive list of everything they have each accomplished. It is important to do your own research.

Even if you are not from Idaho, you can still vote in the primary election on May 19. Vote Idaho explains that people need to be at least 18 years old, a US citizen and a resident of Idaho for at least 30 days to vote.