Charlie Shepherd

Charlie Shepherd: Idaho Republican Incumbent for House District 7B

Charlie Shepherd is a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives representing District 7B, which covers Idaho, Lewis, and Adams counties and portions of Nez Perce County in north-central Idaho. Shepherd lives in Pollock and is seeking his fourth consecutive term in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary. He was first elected in 2020 and is currently serving his third term.

Background

Charlie Shepherd grew up in Garden Valley, Idaho, and his family moved to Riggins during his senior year of high school, where he graduated from Salmon River High School in 1986. After high school, he attended Boise State University and walked on to the Broncos football team.

Following college, Shepherd spent ten years logging in Idaho, Utah, Oregon, and Washington, and later worked for fifteen years in a family-owned sawmill and log home business. He has served as a maintenance supervisor at the Salmon River Joint School District, a position he held at the time of his first election. He coached football, basketball, and track at Salmon River High School for eighteen years, leading the football and basketball teams to multiple state championships before stepping away from coaching in 2018.

He and his wife Susan have four children and four grandchildren. His father, Paul Shepherd, held the same District 7B seat from 2012 to 2020 before Charlie was elected to replace him.

Political Career

Shepherd assumed office on December 1, 2020, after defeating Cornel Rasor in the Republican primary and running unopposed in the general election. He was re-elected in 2022 and 2024. In the 2024 cycle, Shepherd defeated Larry Dunn in the Republican primary before defeating Democrat Dustin Hardisty in the general election.

In the 2026 session, Shepherd serves as Vice Chair of the House Resources and Conservation Committee and as a member of the House Revenue and Taxation and House Transportation and Defense committees.

Policy Positions

Shepherd has consistently focused on issues with direct bearing on District 7’s rural economy. In a 2024 candidate questionnaire published by the Idaho County Free Press, he identified increased timber harvesting on federal Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands as a priority, stating that it would generate additional revenue for school districts and county road maintenance while reducing wildfire risk in the region.

On water, Shepherd introduced a House Joint Memorial calling for minimum flows on the Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam to support river outfitters. He has also supported legislation affecting outfitters and guides, including backing Senate Bill 1051, which amended the Outfitters and Guides Act to provide protections from frivolous lawsuits.

On public education, Shepherd has stated that fully funding public education is a constitutional obligation under the Idaho Constitution and has argued for reducing the property tax burden on local landowners by shifting more education funding to large corporations and big box retailers. He has supported operating and facility funding for public schools while opposing measures he views as expanding state involvement in early childhood development.

On property tax, Shepherd has told the Idaho County Free Press that his top priority is “to preserve freedom and to lower taxes — especially property taxes.”

In a 2023 Idaho Statesman report on local water infrastructure funding, Shepherd was one of three District 7 lawmakers who voted against an additional $115 million in funding for local water systems, including $23 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act money.

Political Alignment

Charlie Shepherd is a Traditional Conservative Republican.

Shepherd has publicly stated that he is not a member of the House Freedom Caucus and has expressed frustration with intraparty conflict he attributes to the Idaho Freedom Foundation. Speaking to the Lewiston Tribune in 2024, he said: “I don’t need a special interest group to tell me how to be a conservative.” He added in a candidate interview with the Idaho County Free Press that critics should evaluate his full voting record rather than a single organization’s scorecard.

His legislative record and endorsements reflect a rural, property-rights and small-business orientation, with top donor support from the Idaho Automobile Dealers Association AUTO PAC and endorsement support from the Idaho Farm Bureau.

Public Controversies and Criticism

In March 2021, during House floor debate on House Bill 226, which would have allowed Idaho to accept approximately $6 million in federal grants for early childhood education, Shepherd said: “I don’t think anybody does a better job than mothers in the home, and any bill that makes it easier or more convenient for mothers to come out of the home and let others raise their child, I don’t think that’s a good direction for us to be going.” The bill failed by a 34-36 vote.

The next morning, Shepherd apologized on the House floor in remarks reported by the Idaho Press. “My intent was to compliment mothers in every way possible. I stand before you now to admit that I failed miserably. After hearing my remarks played back, I recognize how my remarks sounded derogatory or offensive and even sexist towards the mothers of this state,” he said. He added: “I have learned the hard way that misguided statements do not help solve anything. I sincerely apologize to any and all that I have offended, and I will work hard to right any wrongs that I have done.”

Shepherd later told KTVB’s The 208 that he would change his vote on the bill if given the opportunity, and said that the larger reason he voted against the bill was concerns raised by other legislators about what curriculum might be taught with the grant money.

Campaign and Endorsements

Shepherd has signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge, as documented on his Ballotpedia profile. A hunting outfitter from District 7 publicly endorsed his re-election in 2024, citing his support for outfitting industry legislation and balanced wildlife management, as published in the Idaho County Free Press. His 2026 campaign is supported by the Idaho Farm Bureau, with the Idaho Automobile Dealers Association AUTO PAC listed among his top donors.

FAQ

Who is Charlie Shepherd, Idaho legislator? Charlie Shepherd is a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives representing District 7B, which covers Idaho, Lewis, and Adams counties and part of Nez Perce County. He has served since December 2020 and lives in Pollock.

What district does Charlie Shepherd represent in Idaho? Shepherd represents Idaho House District 7, Seat B. He is seeking his fourth consecutive term in the May 2026 Republican primary.

Is Charlie Shepherd an incumbent or a challenger? Shepherd is the incumbent, first elected in 2020. He is currently serving his third term and is running for re-election in 2026.

What committees does Charlie Shepherd serve on? In the 2026 session, Shepherd serves as Vice Chair of the House Resources and Conservation Committee and is a member of the House Revenue and Taxation and House Transportation and Defense committees.

What are Charlie Shepherd’s political positions? Shepherd supports increased federal lands timber harvesting, Snake River water flow protections for outfitters, property tax reform, and full funding of public education as a constitutional obligation. He is not a member of the Idaho House Freedom Caucus and has publicly criticized the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s role in Republican Party politics.

2024 Primary Election Results Shepherd 4,440 / Dunn 2,920

2024 General Election Results Shepherd 20,222 / Hardisty 5,984

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