Connor Cook

Connor Cook: Idaho Republican Candidate for House District 33A

Connor Cook is a Republican candidate running for the Idaho House of Representatives in District 33A. Cook lives in Idaho Falls and is challenging incumbent Representative Barbara Ehardt in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary. District 33A covers a portion of Bonneville County in the Idaho Falls area, as documented by East Idaho News. Cook has not previously held elected office.

Background

Connor Cook is a third-generation Idahoan who has worked as a firefighter and paramedic with the Idaho Falls Fire Department for approximately ten years. Before relocating to Idaho Falls, Cook began his public safety career as a paramedic in Charleston, South Carolina, as described on his campaign website. He is a homeowner in the numbered streets neighborhood of Idaho Falls. Outside of work, Cook golfs, plays in an adult recreation hockey league, and runs along the Idaho Falls Greenbelt. His girlfriend, Allie, is an Idaho State Police Trooper. Cook’s educational background has not been made publicly available as of April 2026. The Post Register reported his candidacy announcement in March 2026, confirming his employment history and local ties.

Political Career

Connor Cook has not previously held elected office. This is his first campaign for public office.

Policy Positions

Cook has stated his positions through his campaign website and in his March 2026 candidacy announcement covered by the Post Register.

On public safety, Cook supports stable funding for the Idaho State Police to address recruitment and retention, full funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children program, and adequate public safety resources for rural and growing communities. He has stated support for firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency medical services statewide.

On education, Cook told the Post Register: “Education is not a talking point, it is the key to a strong economy.” He supports career and technical education, expanded apprenticeship programs, the Idaho LAUNCH workforce development program, and local school district control. He frames education as foundational to economic competitiveness and to retaining young families in Idaho.

On infrastructure, Cook has pointed to Eastern Idaho’s rapid growth as a driver of legislative action. He stated: “The Legislature must prioritize investment in roads, water systems and long-term planning. We have aging infrastructure that must be maintained and replaced. And we have to fund new structures and facilities necessitated by growth. If we don’t invest wisely now, taxpayers will pay more later.”

On fiscal policy, Cook has called for responsible budgeting, prioritizing essential services, and reducing regulations he describes as unnecessary burdens on small businesses. He told the Post Register: “State government must be efficient, transparent and accountable. We must cut waste, prioritize essential services and stop chasing distractions.”

Cook framed the purpose of his candidacy around a concern that Idaho politics has drifted toward “political noise” rather than solving practical problems facing families.

Political Alignment

Connor Cook appears aligned with Traditional Conservative Republican positioning. His stated platform centers on public safety funding, infrastructure investment, workforce development, and fiscal discipline. These priorities reflect conservative Republican governance without documented ties to activist organizations. His campaign rhetoric explicitly criticizes political distraction rather than positioning against any particular faction of the Idaho GOP. No endorsements from activist-aligned figures or organizations have been documented as of April 2026, and no ties to the Idaho Freedom Foundation, Citizens Alliance of Idaho, or comparable groups have been identified in available public records.

Campaign and Endorsements

Cook announced his candidacy in March 2026. His campaign treasurer is Bryan Lovell, as listed on his campaign website. As of April 2026, no organizational endorsements for Cook have been publicly reported. Ballotpedia’s District 33 pagenotes it is gathering endorsement information for the race. Cook’s campaign is accepting volunteer sign-ups, yard sign requests, and donations through his campaign site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Connor Cook, Idaho? Connor Cook is a Republican candidate for the Idaho House of Representatives representing District 33A in Idaho Falls. He is a firefighter and paramedic with the Idaho Falls Fire Department and a first-time candidate for elected office.

What district is Connor Cook running in? Cook is running in Idaho House District 33A, which covers part of Bonneville County in the Idaho Falls area. The May 19, 2026 primary is contested; the general election is November 3, 2026.

Is Connor Cook an incumbent or challenger? Cook is a challenger. He has never held elected office. He is running against incumbent Representative Barbara Ehardt in the Republican primary.

What are Connor Cook’s political positions? Cook supports funding for public safety agencies including the Idaho State Police, career and technical education, expanded apprenticeship programs, infrastructure investment for growing communities, and fiscal discipline in state government.

Who else is running in Idaho House District 33A in 2026? Incumbent Barbara Ehardt is Cook’s opponent in the Republican primary. Chance Marshall is running in the Democratic primary, as noted on Ballotpedia’s District 33 race page.

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