Annie Haws

Annie Haws: Idaho Democratic Incumbent for House District 16B

Annie Henderson Haws is a Democratic member of the Idaho House of Representatives representing District 16B, which covers Boise's West Bench and Collister neighborhoods along with portions of Garden City. Haws was appointed to the seat on July 22, 2025, by Governor Brad Little, following the resignation of Rep. Todd Achilles, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun. She is running unopposed in the May 19, 2026, Democratic primary and will face Republican Chandler Hadraba in the November 3, 2026, general election, per Ballotpedia.

Background

Haws is a Boise attorney at Holland & Hart, where her practice spans business, environmental, and employment litigation, as reported by Idaho Education News. She clerked for two federal judges early in her legal career and has worked to protect tribal land from environmental degradation in partnership with the Nez Perce Tribe, per the Idaho Democratic Party. She serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Idaho College of Law and as lead counsel for Idahoans United for Women and Families, the coalition seeking to qualify a ballot initiative for the November 2026 general election to restore abortion access in Idaho, per the Idaho Capital Sun.

Political Career

Haws was appointed to the Idaho House on July 22, 2025, to fill the vacancy created by Achilles's resignation to run for the U.S. Senate as an independent, per Ballotpedia. She served the remainder of the 2026 legislative session as an appointed member. She currently serves on the Agricultural Affairs, Commerce and Human Resources, and State Affairs committees, per Wikipedia. Upon her appointment, Haws stated: "We need to work with our peers in the Legislature to focus on what really matters. That means investing fully in our kids, supporting working people, and protecting the Idaho we believe in, not the one being shaped by special interests," as quoted by the Idaho Capital Sun.

Policy Positions

Haws's documented positions draw from her appointment statement, her legal advocacy work, and her campaign listing in the Ada County Democrats' 2026 voter guide. Her lead counsel role for Idahoans United for Women and Families reflects a central commitment to restoring abortion access in Idaho and protecting the constitutional right of citizens to pass legislation through ballot initiatives. Her legal work with the Nez Perce Tribe reflects an environmental protection orientation. Her stated priorities on appointment centered on education investment, support for working people, and reducing the influence of special interests in Idaho governance. As of April 2026, she has not published a separate legislative policy platform beyond these documented positions. This section will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Political Alignment

Haws is a Liberal Democrat. Her legal advocacy as lead counsel for the abortion rights ballot initiative, her environmental litigation background including tribal land protection, and her endorsement from House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, per Idaho Education News, reflect alignment with the organized progressive wing of Idaho's Democratic caucus. Her appointment also drew endorsements from Sen. Ali Rabe and then-Rep. Soñia Galaviz.

Campaign and Endorsements

Haws is running unopposed in the May 19, 2026, Democratic primary and is listed in the Ada County Democrats' 2026 voter guide. Endorsements include House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel and Sen. Ali Rabe. Ballotpedia had not identified additional formal endorsements as of April 2026.