Connor Cook

Connor Cook is a Republican firefighter-paramedic and first-time legislative candidate from Idaho Falls running for Idaho House District 33 Seat A. The district covers parts of Idaho Falls in Bonneville County. Cook faces four-term incumbent Rep. Barbara Ehardt in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary in a race Local News 8 has framed as "the coach vs. the firefighter."

Background

Cook is a third-generation Idahoan and a homeowner in the numbered-streets neighborhood of Idaho Falls. He attended Idaho public schools and graduated from the College of Southern Idaho. He began his public-safety career as a paramedic in Charleston, South Carolina, and moved to Idaho Falls roughly a decade ago. He has spent approximately ten years as a firefighter-paramedic with the Idaho Falls Fire Department and is a member of the Idaho Falls firefighters union. He lives in Idaho Falls with his girlfriend Allie, an Idaho State Police trooper; her son Cooper, his stepson; and their Belgian Malinois, Fritz. He has not previously held elected office.

Political Career

Cook is a first-time candidate with no prior legislative record. He announced his campaign in March 2026, telling the Post Register and Local News 8 he entered the race because, in his view, the incumbent had stopped listening to constituents and he wanted to bring a blue-collar perspective to the Statehouse. He has participated in district forums and an East Idaho News debate ahead of the May primary.

Policy Positions

Cook's campaign platform rests on four pillars: public safety, education and workforce, infrastructure and growth, and fiscal responsibility. He supports stable funding for the Idaho State Police, full funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children program, expanded apprenticeships and career-technical education, the Idaho Launch program, and stronger investment in public schools. He has criticized cuts to teachers' bargaining rights, telling Idaho Education News: "You can't tell me that the teachers union is bankrupting the state... I feel like they will inevitably come after firefighters." On per-student spending he said: "We're last or second to last in the country as far as spending (per student), and I feel like we're celebrating a break-even policy." He has called for prioritizing the state budget over what he considers social-issue distractions, saying: "Bills like that are a distraction from the state budget... People feel like the state of Idaho has just gone rogue." He supports responsible budgeting that prioritizes essential services, reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens on small businesses, and respects local control.

Political Alignment

Cook describes himself as a "traditional, common sense Republican." He has emphasized independence from outside organizations and pressure groups, telling Idaho Education News: "The good thing about me is I am my own man... I am not bought and paid for by anybody. What I'm chasing is bringing Idaho back to Idaho." His coalition reflects a public-safety, labor, business, and first-responder profile.

Campaign and Endorsements

Cook is challenging Rep. Barbara Ehardt in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary. Documented endorsements and contributions per Idaho Sunshine include the Idaho Fraternal Order of Police, the Idaho Falls Firefighters PAC, the Idaho State AFL-CIO, the Idaho Dairy Industry PAC, the Idaho Hospital Association PAC, the Simison Leadership PAC, and the Meridian Firefighters PAC. His committee has raised approximately $18,075 from 37 donors. The general election is November 3, 2026.