Congressional candidates in Idaho’s 2nd District are centering their campaigns on the rising cost of living as voters prepare for the Nov. 3 general election. Incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Simpson, seeking a 14th term representing much of southeast Idaho, faces a field of challengers who argue that federal policy has failed to address affordability concerns.
The race includes Democrat Ellie Gilbreath, independents Tripp Hutchinson and Emre Houser, and Libertarian Will Johanson. Constitution Party candidate Carta Sierra Law died in June and is no longer on the ballot. Simpson’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment, and Houser could not be reached.
Healthcare Policy Diverges
Healthcare costs emerged as a primary point of contention among the candidates. Hutchinson cited high healthcare expenses as the most significant challenge he has heard from Idahoans. He supports enforcing anti-trust laws against pharmaceutical and insurance companies, arguing that these sectors should move away from a profit motive. Hutchinson aims for a single-payer healthcare system, commonly referred to as Medicare for all.
Gilbreath focused on the impact of recent federal legislation on rural communities. She highlighted a projected $665 billion decline in state Medicaid budgets under new federal law. While acknowledging a $50 billion Rural Healthcare Transformation Grant included in the measure—which awarded Idaho $186 million in its first year—Gilbreath argued that the cuts to Medicaid require restoration or an alternate solution.
“I think we’ve abandoned rural Idaho as a country, but also in Idaho,” Gilbreath said. “Both sides are guilty of not really attempting to solve the problem.”
Johanson proposed allowing Medicare to negotiate lower pharmaceutical prices. He supports healthcare deregulation, including eliminating needs assessments for new hospitals and removing requirements on how insurance companies must use premiums. Johanson also advocates for increasing direct primary care to cut out intermediaries.
Agriculture and Immigration
Simpson’s stated priorities include stopping illegal immigration, supporting agriculture, and opposing Biden-era climate initiatives associated with the “Green New Deal.” He supports market-based reforms to lower health care premium costs.
Gilbreath offered a different approach to border policy. She supports securing borders while expanding migrant work visas. Specifically, she advocates for expanding the H-2A agricultural work visa program to support year-round industries such as dairy production.
Hutchinson pointed to a cost of living crisis in Ketchum and Blaine County as evidence of broader economic pressures. Johanson claimed Simpson is out of touch with affordability concerns and stated he runs to give voters an alternative choice.
Gilbreath’s platform also includes protecting public lands and raising up rural Idaho through expanded federal funding for rural hospitals and healthcare infrastructure.