Brandon D Woolf
State Controller
Brandon Woolf, Republican incumbent and candidate for Idaho State Controller
Brandon Woolf, a Republican, is the incumbent Idaho State Controller and a candidate in the November 3, 2026 general election. He filed on February 23, 2026, and the Idaho Secretary of State lists the filing as approved. He won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary unopposed, with 187,612 votes, according to the Idaho Secretary of State's certified results. His opponent is Democrat Rakesh Mohan.
What the State Controller does
The Spokesman-Review reported in 2012 that "Idaho's state controller is the state's chief fiscal officer; manages the state's payroll and financial management and reporting and accounting systems; and is a full voting member of the state Land Board". The State Controller's Office biography says Woolf also serves as Secretary to the Idaho Board of Examiners.
Background
The State Controller's Office biography says Woolf "grew up on a dairy farm in Preston, Idaho, graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and earned a Master of Business Administration from Boise State University."
The Idaho Capital Sun reported in 2022 that he began as an intern in the Controller's Office three years after he married in 1994, and has worked in the office since. Governor Butch Otter named him acting Controller and then permanently to the position on October 15, 2012, after Controller Donna Jones retired.
Election history
According to the Idaho Secretary of State's election database, Woolf won the May 20, 2014 Republican primary with 68,609 votes to 66,126 for Todd Hatfield. He was unopposed in the 2014 and 2018 general elections.
In the November 8, 2022 general election, he received 405,075 votes (69.5%). Democrat Dianna David received 156,232 votes (26.8%) and Miste Gardner of the Constitution Party received 21,298 (3.7%).
Transparency tools
The Idaho Capital Sun reported in 2022 that Woolf launched Transparent Idaho in 2013, which lists public information about state employee salaries and agency expenditures. In the Idaho Capital Sun's 2026 voter guide, he wrote: "Transparency is my true north."
Endorsements
His campaign website lists endorsements from Gov. Brad Little, who is quoted as saying: "Brandon Woolf is a proven conservative leader who has delivered results for Idaho." It also lists the Professional Firefighters of Idaho, whose statement says: "On behalf of the Professional Firefighters of Idaho, we are proud to endorse your 2026 re-election."
What critics say
Mohan wrote in the Idaho Capital Sun's 2026 voter guide: "True transparency does not exist in our state today. The Transparent Idaho website is difficult for everyday citizens to navigate, making it nearly impossible to retrieve meaningful information."
Campaign finance
The Idaho Secretary of State's Sunshine campaign finance system showed contributions of $210,284.00 and expenditures of $94,476.99 for the 2026 cycle on October 2, 2026. Its top-contributor list showed Todd Brinkmeyer and Angie Marozzo, both of Post Falls, at $10,000 each, followed by Clearwater Paper at $7,500.
The Idaho Capital Sun listed him at $210,284 as of September 30, 2026.
Sunshine showed $223,314.18 in cash on hand.
Sources
- Idaho Secretary of State, May 2026 certified results, the Republican primary vote
- Spokesman-Review, October 15, 2012, his appointment and the controller's duties
- Idaho State Controller's Office, biography, his background and board service
- Idaho Capital Sun, October 31, 2022, his career and Transparent Idaho
- Idaho Secretary of State, election database, his election results
- Idaho Capital Sun, 2026 voter guide for State Controller, statements by Woolf and Mohan
- Brandon Woolf campaign website, endorsements
- Idaho Sunshine, 2026 campaign finance totals
- Idaho Capital Sun, October 2, 2026, statewide fundraising totals
Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated October 2, 2026. This profile will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Frequently asked questions
- What office is Brandon Woolf running for?
- He is the Republican incumbent seeking re-election as Idaho State Controller in the November 3, 2026 general election. His opponent is Democrat Rakesh Mohan.
- How did Brandon Woolf become State Controller?
- Governor Butch Otter named him acting Controller and then permanently to the position on October 15, 2012, after Controller Donna Jones retired. He first won election in 2014.
- What does the Idaho State Controller do?
- The Spokesman-Review described the controller as the state's chief fiscal officer who manages the state's payroll and financial management, reporting and accounting systems and sits on the Land Board.
- What is Brandon Woolf's background?
- The State Controller's Office says he grew up on a dairy farm in Preston, earned a political science degree from Utah State University and an MBA from Boise State University.
- What is Transparent Idaho?
- The Idaho Capital Sun reported that Woolf launched Transparent Idaho in 2013. It lists public information about state employee salaries and agency expenditures.
- How has Brandon Woolf done in past elections?
- He won the 2014 Republican primary 68,609 to 66,126 and the 2022 general election with 405,075 votes, or 69.5%, according to the Idaho Secretary of State.
- Who has endorsed Brandon Woolf?
- His campaign website lists Gov. Brad Little and the Professional Firefighters of Idaho among his endorsers.
- How much money has Brandon Woolf raised?
- Idaho Sunshine showed $210,284.00 in contributions for the 2026 cycle on October 2, 2026, with $94,476.99 spent and $223,314.18 in cash on hand.