David J. Leavitt

David Leavitt: Idaho Republican Representative for House District 25B

David Leavitt is a first-term Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives representing District 25B, which covers Twin Falls County. He is based in Twin Falls and assumed office on December 1, 2024. Leavitt is running for re-election in the May 19, 2026, Republican primary against challenger Cherie Vollmer. Independent candidate Liyah Babayan is running in the November 3, 2026, general election; no Democrat has filed.

Background

Leavitt was born and raised in the Magic Valley, graduating from Capital High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a combat infantryman, completing three overseas tours: Iraq in 2003 during the initial invasion, and Afghanistan in 2006 and 2009, as documented in his Idaho Legislature biography. He retired from the Army as a disabled combat veteran. His military decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Meritorious Service Medal. After retiring from military service, he and his family settled in Twin Falls.

Before entering politics, Leavitt became active with the Magic Valley Liberty Alliance, the Twin Falls-area conservative organization that endorsed his 2024 campaign and profiled him on their website. He was part of the cohort of four MVLA-aligned candidates who won in the Magic Valley in May 2024 alongside Rep. Clint Hostetler, Sen. Josh Kohl, and Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, in what supporters called the “Magic Valley Miracle.” After the primary, the four jointly announced the Idaho First Agenda, a shared legislative platform published on the MVLA website.

Political Career

Leavitt won the May 2024 Republican primary by defeating incumbent Gregory Lanting with 2,744 votes to Lanting’s 1,962. No Democrat filed for the general election, and Leavitt won with 13,674 votes. He assumed office on December 1, 2024.

Leavitt is a member of the Gang of Eight, the Idaho legislative bloc affiliated with the State Freedom Caucus Network, and serves alongside SD25 Senator Josh Kohl as part of the Magic Valley faction of the group. He signed the Gang of Eight’s January 2026 budget pledge to oppose all state spending enhancements during the 2026 session. He serves on the Agricultural Affairs, Commerce and Human Resources, and Health and Welfare committees, per the Idaho Legislature’s official records. He achieved a perfect 100% score on the Idaho Freedom Foundation Freedom Index in his first legislative session, as noted by Idaho Education News, the highest score among Gang of Eight members.

Policy Positions

Leavitt frames his conservatism in theological and anti-collectivist terms. On X, he has posted: “Goal #22 of communism: ‘Discredit culture by degrading artistic expression. Eliminate beauty and replace it with shapeless and meaningless forms.’ A godless ideology always attacks the foundations of a civilized society.” On abortion, he has stated: “I will actively oppose and work to overturn any ballot initiative that seeks to legalize abortion. I believe in the sanctity of life, not as a political slogan, but as a fundamental duty of government.” On fiscal policy, he signed the Gang of Eight’s pledge to oppose budget enhancements and reject federal money with conditions attached, and has argued against state spending initiatives he considered insufficiently rigorous. He sponsored legislation giving military parents priority registration in charter school enrollment.

Leavitt has also raised concerns about a BLM shooting area closure south of Twin Falls, publicly suggesting on social media that the real reason was to clear the way for the LS Power SWIP transmission line rather than safety, characterizing the stated rationale as dishonest. He voted against the Convention of States resolution (HCR25) and against a DOGE-style state efficiency bill he felt was not sufficiently rigorous.

On his campaign website, Leavitt states he is running to “defend individual, local, and state sovereignty by keeping decision-making as close as possible to the people” and calls for restraining government by constitutional limits and resisting “entrenched systems that protect favored interests while ordinary citizens and taxpayers are left bearing the cost and liability.”

Political Alignment

Leavitt is classified as a Far-Right Extremist. He is a Gang of Eight member, a founding participant in the Idaho First Agenda through the Magic Valley Liberty Alliance, and earned a perfect 100% IFF Freedom Index score in his first session. His public statements frame governance explicitly in theological terms and in opposition to what he characterizes as a collectivist or communist ideological threat. His MVLA affiliation connects him to the same Christian nationalist organizational network as fellow District 24-25 colleagues Hostetler, Kohl, and Zuiderveld. He is coordinated through SFCN Director Maria Nate, documented by InvestigateWest as directing members’ votes and scripting floor statements.

Campaign and Endorsements

Leavitt raised $17,355 through March 2026, per Idaho Sunshine campaign finance records. Key donors include the Idaho House Republican Caucus ($1,000), Bryan Smith through Smith, Driscoll, and Associates ($1,000), and Kathy Thomsen of Buhl ($1,000). Leavitt loaned himself $1,500 early in the campaign. He has received support from the Idaho Freedom PAC, Citizens Alliance of Idaho, and Stop Idaho RINOs. His 2026 primary challenger Cherie Vollmer is running on a platform of broader community representation for Twin Falls County.

FAQ

Who is David Leavitt? David Leavitt is a first-term Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives representing District 25B in Twin Falls County. A Magic Valley native and retired U.S. Army combat veteran, he was elected in 2024 with MVLA support and is a member of the Gang of Eight.

What district does David Leavitt represent? Leavitt represents Idaho House District 25B, covering Twin Falls County in south-central Idaho.

Is David Leavitt an incumbent? Yes. He is a first-term incumbent who assumed office on December 1, 2024, and is seeking re-election in the May 2026 primary.

What committees does David Leavitt serve on? Leavitt serves on the Agricultural Affairs, Commerce and Human Resources, and Health and Welfare committees.

What has David Leavitt accomplished or sponsored in the Idaho Legislature? Leavitt achieved a perfect 100% score on the Idaho Freedom Foundation Freedom Index in his first session. He sponsored legislation giving military parents priority enrollment in charter schools and signed the Gang of Eight’s 2026 budget pledge to oppose all spending enhancements. He has raised public questions about BLM land closures and federal grant dependency.

Who is challenging Leavitt in 2026? Cherie Vollmer is challenging Leavitt in the May 19, 2026, Republican primary. Independent candidate Liyah Babayan is running in the November general election.

2024 Primary Election Results Leavitt 2,744 / Lanting 1,962

2024 General Election Results Leavitt 13,674 / Unopposed

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