Brent Reinke

Brent Reinke is a Republican candidate for the Idaho Senate from Twin Falls, the current Twin Falls County Commissioner, and a longtime Magic Valley small-business owner running in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary for Senate District 24. The district covers Camas County, Gooding County, and rural portions of Twin Falls County in the Magic Valley, as documented on his Ballotpedia profile.

Background

Reinke, 72, is a third-generation Idahoan born and raised in Twin Falls County, with family roots and business ties in Filer and Buhl. He and his wife Carla raised five sons in the area. He owned and operated MR. B's handmade ice cream and food concession at the Twin Falls County Fair for approximately 38 to 40 years, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun. His community service includes Past Honorary Commander of the 115th Engineering Battalion (Idaho National Guard), facilitator of a Joining Forces Veterans Support Group, and member of the U.S. Selective Service Twin Falls County Board, as documented on his campaign site. He has also served on Mustard Seed, Magic Valley Chaplains, and in service clubs including Kiwanis and Optimist.

Political Career

Reinke's public service began in 1986 on the Filer City Council. He has served as Twin Falls County Commissioner in two stints (1994 to 1997 and 2019 to present), as Director of the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections, and as Director of the Idaho Department of Correction from approximately 2007 to 2014, with about 18 years of total state service. He was appointed by four consecutive governors and chaired the Governor's Criminal Justice Commission for eight years, as documented on the Idaho Association of Counties profile. His leadership roles at the Idaho Association of Counties have included Justice and Public Safety Chair, with work on jail overcrowding and the Third Crossing.

Policy Positions

Reinke's stated priorities are affordability for families, safe communities, responsible growth, and protecting Magic Valley agriculture. On the state budget, he told the Idaho Capital Sun voter guide: "I don't support across the board cuts, I would evaluate the Governor's recommendations, there are critical needs facing the state of Idaho that affect community safety." On local control: "I'm a believer in local control. The counties are an arm of the state as stated in the constitution. The state legislature needs to be very aware and trust that the local cities and counties that are closest to the people and that they will have their interest at heart when governing. Trust but verify." On education, he has emphasized classroom support for students on IEPs and rural-school funding adequacy. On immigration enforcement, he describes it as an unfunded mandate on local government and notes that local law enforcement is "proactive with law violations, of all Idahoans including illegal and foreign born labor," as documented in the Idaho Capital Sun voter guide.

Political Alignment

Reinke frames his campaign as "experience you can trust, leadership that delivers" grounded in "faith, family, and service." His record of local-government and state-agency leadership across nearly 40 years places him in the experienced-administrator wing of Idaho Republican politics. He has been endorsed by the Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho, and Leadership Idaho Agriculture has recognized him.

Campaign and Endorsements

Reinke is running in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary for Senate District 24. As of late April 2026, his campaign had raised approximately $53,000 with a healthy cash balance, per Idaho Sunshine filings referenced in race coverage. His endorsements include the Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho. The general election is November 3, 2026.