Terry F. Gestrin

Terry F. Gestrin: Idaho Republican Candidate for Senate District 8

Terry F. Gestrin is a Republican candidate running for the Idaho State Senate in District 8. Gestrin lives in Donnelly and is challenging incumbent Sen. Christy Zito in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary, in a three-way race that also includes former House Majority Leader Megan Blanksma. Gestrin is a former member of the Idaho House of Representatives who represented District 8A for five terms from 2012 to 2022. District 8 covers Boise, Custer, Elmore, and Valley counties.

Background

Gestrin was born in Cascade, Idaho, and is a fourth-generation Valley County resident. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance from Idaho State University. He and his wife Sheri have owned and operated Long Valley Farm Service in Donnelly since 1984, a wholesale-retail fuel and oil business and general store originally founded by his parents in 1956.

Before his legislative career, Gestrin served as a founding member and chief of the Donnelly Volunteer Fire Department, serving as a fireman-EMT for twenty years. He was elected to the Valley County Board of Commissioners in 1994 and chaired the board for eight of his ten years of service. He also chaired the Valley County Republican Central Committee and has served on the boards of the Idaho Foundation for Parks and Lands and the State Insurance Fund.

Political Career

Gestrin entered the Idaho Legislature in 2012 under unusual circumstances. After losing the Republican primary for the District 8 Senate seat to then-Rep. Steven Thayn, Gestrin was selected by the Legislative District 8 Republican Central Committee to replace Rep. Ken Roberts on the November ballot after Roberts was appointed to the Idaho State Tax Commission. Governor Butch Otter then appointed Gestrin to serve out the remainder of Roberts’ House term beginning August 2, 2012. Gestrin won the November 2012 general election and was re-elected in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020.

During his time in the House, Gestrin served on the Resources and Conservation Committee, the Revenue and Taxation Committee, and the Transportation and Defense Committee, eventually serving as Vice Chair of Resources and Conservation. His legislative work focused on rural issues, natural resources, and constituent matters.

Gestrin chose not to seek re-election to the House in 2022 and instead ran for the District 8 Senate seat. According to the Valley Lookout, he received the second-highest vote total in a four-candidate Republican primary that year but lost to Geoff Schroeder. He did not run in 2024. Idaho Education News reported that Gestrin explained his absence from the 2024 cycle by saying his wife had health issues: “You take care of family first.”

Policy Positions

In his 2026 campaign, Gestrin has centered his message on practical problem-solving for residents of the rural District 8. Idaho Education News described his governing philosophy as focused on “helping solve problems for folks in the sprawling rural district.”

In that same profile, Gestrin expressed a relatively muted stance on social issues. When asked about gender identity debates, he said: “That was a snake raised its head, but I think that’s been put back in the hole.”

His campaign blog lists his core positions as common sense natural resource management, private property rights, states’ rights, free markets, reduction in government regulations, the right to keep and bear arms, intelligent use of natural resources, and opposition to abortion. He acknowledged in the Idaho Education News interview that his campaign website was not active and that his last social media post was in 2015, saying he needs help with digital outreach.

Political Alignment

Terry Gestrin is a Traditional Conservative Republican.

His legislative record reflects rural, property-rights-oriented conservatism rooted in Valley County and Idaho’s agricultural sector. His remarks on social issues in the Idaho Education News profile suggest a pragmatic rather than activist orientation. His campaign contrast with incumbent Sen. Zito, a member of the Senate Gang of Eight, rests on governing style and constituent service rather than an ideological challenge from the right.

Campaign and Endorsements

Gestrin is one of three candidates in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary for District 8, alongside incumbent Sen. Christy Zito and former House Majority Leader Megan Blanksma. According to Ballotpedia, no formal endorsements for Gestrin had been publicly reported as of early April 2026. The winner of the primary will face Democrat John Garrett in the November 3 general election.

FAQ

Who is Terry Gestrin in Idaho politics? Terry F. Gestrin is a Republican from Donnelly, Idaho, who served five terms in the Idaho House of Representatives representing District 8A from 2012 to 2022. He is running for the Idaho State Senate in District 8 in 2026.

What district is Terry Gestrin running in? Gestrin is running in Idaho State Senate District 8, which covers Boise, Custer, Elmore, and Valley counties.

Is Terry Gestrin an incumbent or a challenger? Gestrin is a challenger. He is not currently serving in the legislature. He previously held a House seat but left office in December 2022.

What are Terry Gestrin’s political positions? Gestrin has emphasized practical problem-solving for rural constituents. His stated positions include natural resource management, private property rights, states’ rights, free markets, regulatory reduction, gun rights, and opposition to abortion. His campaign website was inactive as of late March 2026.

Has Terry Gestrin run for Senate before? Yes. Gestrin ran for the District 8 Senate seat in 2022 and finished second in a four-candidate Republican primary, losing to Geoff Schroeder. He did not run in 2024.

Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated April 2026. This profile will be updated as additional information becomes available.