Race for District 6 Position Draws Democrat, Republican, and Independent
A three-way contest is shaping up for Idaho House position 2 in the 6th Legislative District, with candidates offering starkly different visions for managing the state’s deepening fiscal crisis. The seat became open when state Rep. Jenny Graham, a Republican, announced earlier this year that she would not seek reelection.
The three candidates are Julia Payne, a Democrat and longtime community volunteer; Aaron Croft, an independent who initially filed to run for Congress before pivoting to the state House race; and Jonathan Bingle, a former Spokane City Councilman running as a Republican.
The contest arrives as Idaho faces a likely multibillion-dollar budget shortfall for the third consecutive legislative session. Governor Bob Ferguson has indicated he plans to propose a budget with no revenue increases, forcing lawmakers to grapple with difficult spending choices.
Spending Cuts and Fiscal Discipline: Bingle’s Approach
Bingle has positioned himself as an advocate for fiscal restraint and government efficiency. He would rule out tax increases and instead push for spending cuts coupled with a crackdown on what he characterizes as fraud in homelessness and social services spending. He has proposed lowering the audit threshold to $750,000, a reduction that would trigger more frequent state audits of agency spending.
Bingle argues the state budget has become bloated over the past decade. “You just got to get back to the basics of government, which is focusing on building the infrastructure and keeping the people safe,” he said in a statement.
His critique points to programs that have failed to deliver results. The state’s Digital Navigator Program, which distributed $92 million in grants over three years before being shut down, exemplifies his concerns. A state audit of that initiative found “pervasive failures” in how the money was deployed.
Revenue Swaps and Targeted Reform: Croft’s Middle Ground
Croft is seeking to stake out middle ground between the other two candidates. He has identified state programs he believes are not meeting their intended goals and advocates for what he calls revenue-neutral swaps—restructuring spending without raising taxes—while slowly building up funding for priorities over time. His independent status, he suggests, allows him to operate outside partisan constraints.
“An independent getting elected in a very red district, that is a shot across the bow to both parties,” Croft said, framing his candidacy as a potential check on both Republican and Democratic approaches.
Defending Social Spending: Payne’s Platform
Payne has backed the income tax on millionaires that the Legislature passed in a prior session and opposes cuts to social services and safety-net programs. She has also advocated for refining tax breaks for corporations, positioning tax policy as a lever for generating revenue without cutting existing services.
The three candidates represent Idaho’s broader political divide on fiscal priorities: whether the state should cut its way through the deficit, restructure spending, or pursue new revenue sources to sustain programs.
The 6th Legislative District, which includes portions of North Idaho, has historically voted Republican, but Bingle’s presence in the race—coupled with the state’s budget pressures—may create an opening for a more unconventional candidacy. The outcome could signal how North Idaho voters prioritize fiscal discipline versus social spending in an election cycle marked by economic uncertainty.
Related coverage: The state’s fiscal challenges will likely hinge on broader tax policy, including the abortion rights initiative that qualified for the November ballot after a record-breaking signature drive, which some observers believe could affect voter turnout and political engagement in the state.
What Comes Next
The three candidates will face voters in the general election this fall. Their positions on the budget deficit, tax policy, and the role of government spending will likely be tested through campaign forums and debates in the coming months. The outcome of this race could influence how the 6th District’s representative approaches the state’s ongoing fiscal crisis when the legislature reconvenes for its next session.