Two Republicans Square Off in Idaho House District 7A Primary Race
A competitive Republican primary is taking shape in Idaho’s 7th Legislative District, where incumbent state Rep. Kyle Harris faces a challenge from former Lewiston Mayor Mike Collins for the House seat known as 7A. The district encompasses portions of Lewiston and Nez Perce County, along with all of Idaho and Adams counties.
Both candidates are making their case to Republican primary voters by emphasizing conservative credentials and hands-on experience — though their backgrounds differ considerably, and those differences are at the center of each man’s argument for earning the nomination.
Harris Points to Legislative Record, Eyes Property Tax and School Funding Reform
Harris won the seat in 2024 and earned an appointment to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee — JFAC — for the 2026 legislative session, one of the most consequential assignments available to freshman lawmakers. He describes his first exposure to the state budget process as overwhelming but educational.
The incumbent says he delivered on the commitments he made to voters: defending conservative values, opposing large government, pushing for lower taxes, and taking a firm stance against illegal immigration. He has also come to understand that building relationships across the aisle is essential to getting anything accomplished in Boise.
“You have to learn to work with people and listen and come to the table,” Harris said, describing the reality of legislative dealmaking.
Looking ahead, Harris has identified two major priorities if he wins re-election: property tax relief and school funding reform. On property taxes, he is backing a proposal that would lock assessed property values to the price paid at the time of purchase — a move he believes would protect both longtime homeowners and seniors from being priced out of their homes by rising valuations. He acknowledges such a measure would apply going forward rather than retroactively.
On school funding, Harris argues that Idaho’s current formula — which ties state support to student enrollment figures — fails to account for the real cost of running schools, particularly in rural areas. He says he plans to work with state Sen. Cindy Carlson of Riggins, the State Board of Education, and other stakeholders to develop a new formula, with the goal of bringing a revised approach into the next legislative session.
Harris also addressed the budget difficulties that defined the 2026 session, when revenue fell short of projections due in part to $453 million in tax reductions passed during the 2025 session and the downstream effects of federal tax policy. He supported aligning Idaho’s income tax code to federal rates but believes the Legislature could have made deeper spending cuts. He specifically criticized reductions to traditional Medicaid services, saying the better target would have been Medicaid expansion.
On public lands, Harris stated he does not support the sale of public lands, though he declined to take a direct position on the question of transferring federally managed land to state control.
Collins Leans on Local Government Experience and Statewide Connections
Collins served eight years on the Lewiston City Council, including a period as mayor, and argues that experience gives him a practical understanding of how decisions made in Boise ripple through communities like Lewiston. He also serves as the head track and field coach at Lewis-Clark State College, a role he says has taken him across Idaho and introduced him to families and challenges in regions far beyond Nez Perce County.
“My experience in city politics with city council and mayor is unique,” Collins said, drawing a direct contrast with his opponent’s background.
Collins is raising alarms about outside buyers purchasing Idaho land and blocking traditional access, calling the issue of public land ownership “challenging” and warning that once that land leaves Idaho hands, it may be gone permanently. His position earned him an endorsement from a newly formed PAC focused on public lands issues, which has also criticized Harris over his voting record on related matters.
On housing affordability — a concern he says hits close to home, citing an adult daughter who doubts she will ever own a home — Collins wants to pursue policies that make homeownership more accessible. He echoed Harris on property taxes, noting that seniors across the district are being pushed out by rising tax bills tied to property value increases.
Collins expressed reservations about the $5,000 private school tax credit approved during the recent session, calling its timing “unfortunate” and calling for stronger accountability measures so the program does not draw resources away from rural public schools. He supports both public and private education but wants any voucher structure to protect smaller districts.
A political action committee linked to state Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d’Alene, has committed more than $17,000 in support of Harris’s campaign.
What Comes Next
The winner of the Republican primary will advance to face Democrat Larry Nostrant of Lewiston in the November general election. With both Harris and Collins competing for the same conservative voter base, the primary contest will likely turn on which candidate makes a more convincing case that his experience — whether in the statehouse or in local government — better prepares him to represent the district’s interests in Boise. Voters in Lewiston, Nez Perce County, Idaho County, and Adams County will cast their primary ballots in the coming weeks. For broader Idaho legislative coverage, visit Idaho News.