Idaho Primary Election · May 19, 202602days·20hrs·20min·13secFind Polling Place →
Republican

Christy Zito

Christy Zito candidate photo

Idaho Senate, District 8

Campaign Website:Campaign Website
Phone:(208) 332-1344
Email:czito@senate.idaho.gov
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Christy Zito is a Republican member of the Idaho State Senate representing District 8, covering Boise, Camas, Custer, Elmore, and parts of neighboring counties in south-central Idaho. Zito returned to the Senate on December 1, 2024 after defeating incumbent Sen. Geoff Schroeder in the May 21, 2024 Republican primary. She is seeking re-election in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary. The general election is November 3, 2026.

Background

Zito was born in Utah and holds an associate degree in farm and ranch management from Bridgerland Technical College. She is the mother of five children and a self-described gun-rights activist who serves as Political Director and a board member of the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, rebranded as Honor Idaho in February 2026. During her 2022—2024 hiatus from the Legislature, per Wikipedia, she worked at the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance.

Political Career

Zito's legislative service spans three districts. Per Ballotpedia and Idaho Education News, she served two House terms in District 23 (December 2016—November 2020), one Senate term in District 23 (December 2020—November 2022), and returned in December 2024 as Senate District 8's elected senator after defeating incumbent Sen. Geoff Schroeder. Her signature legislative achievement is House Bill 206 (2019), the Idaho law allowing concealed carry without a permit for ages 18—20, which Gov. Brad Little signed on April 2, 2019. In 2025 she sponsored Senate Bill 1298, the Stand Your Ground Shield Act.

Policy Positions

Zito centers her platform on Second Amendment expansion, parental rights, and limited government. She voted against House Bill 445 (2025), the water-stewardship bill that funded aquifer recharge, and against a legislator pay raise during her current term. Her stated 2025-2026 priorities include constitutional carry expansion, restricting public funds for what she describes as gender-transition health care, and fiscal restraint.

Political Alignment

Zito is Idaho Freedom Foundation-aligned at the top of the Senate IFF Freedom Index range. She is Political Director and a board member of the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance / Honor Idaho. Per Political Potatoes' February 14, 2025 reporting, she attended the 2024 Young Americans for Liberty National Convention alongside Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, Sen. Joshua Kohl, Rep. Clint Hostetler, and Rep. David Leavitt. Her District 8 House counterpart is Rep. Faye Thompson.

Campaign and Endorsements

Zito is running in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary. Per the Idaho Sunshine portal, her 2026 campaign is supported by approximately $353 in independent expenditures from Citizens Alliance of Idaho PAC. Idaho EdNews has reported that Citizens Alliance of Idaho PAC draws substantial out-of-state funding, including a $450,000 transfer from a Virginia-based federal affiliate and Pennsylvania gaming-related sources. Her 2024 primary win unseated incumbent Sen. Geoff Schroeder. The general election is November 3, 2026.

About This Profile

For deeper background on Christy Zito's network ties and legislative record, see the IdahoExtremism.org dossier on Christy Zito.

Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated May 7, 2026. This profile will be updated as additional information becomes available.

News Stories

Idaho 11-year-old brings AR-15 to hearing on gun legislation

news · KVOA News Tuscon · Associated Press (AP) · 20200225

An 11-year-old girl toting a loaded AR-15 assault weapon appeared Monday at a legislative hearing with her grandfather, who is supporting a proposal that would allow visitors to Idaho who can legally possess firearms to carry a concealed handgun within city limits. Charles Nielsen says he backs the legislation but his granddaughter didn't speak at the meeting. Republican Rep. Christy Zito said the legislation is intended to clear up confusion about state gun laws.

Republican Controlled Idaho Congress Rejects Bill to End Child Marriage for Those Under the Age of 16

news · Newsweek · Daniel Moritz-Rabson · 20190522

Republican Representative Christy Zito mentioned abortion, which is legal in Idaho before age 18 with approval from a parent or judge, when discussing the vote. "It will then become easier in the state of Idaho to obtain an abortion at 15-and-a-half years old than it will to decide to form a family," Zito said, according to Boise State Public Radio.

Rep. Zito challenges leadership on handling of personal bills; motion fails, 10-59

news · Spokesman-Review · Betsy Russell · 20180129

Friday was the deadline to file personal bills in the Idaho House, and more than a dozen were submitted, with all but three of them sponsored by outspoken Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard. All personal bills in the House are referred to the House Ways & Means Committee, a leadership-dominated panel where they typically die. Last week, House Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley, said that’s always been his practice, and he’s following the lead of previous House speakers. Bedke said allowing personal bills to be heard would evade the committee process – aside from personal bills, all bills must receive a committee’s support to be introduced and get a bill number. Today, freshman Rep. Christy Zito, R-Hammett, rose on the House floor and asked unanimous consent to send her personal bill – HB 428, to ban lobbyist gifts – to the House State Affairs Committee instead of the Ways & Means Committee. When there was an objection, Zito made a motion, and the House went at ease.