Idaho General Election · November 3, 2026Find polling place
Republican

Debbie Critchfield

Debbie Critchfield

Superintendent of Public Instruction

City:Oakley

Debbie Critchfield, Republican incumbent and candidate for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction

Debbie Critchfield, a Republican, is Idaho's Superintendent of Public Instruction and a candidate for a second term in the November 3, 2026 general election. She filed on February 23, 2026, and the Idaho Secretary of State lists the filing as approved. She won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary unopposed, with 179,571 votes, according to the Idaho Secretary of State's certified results. Her opponents are Democrat Becky Sundin Mitchell and Constitution Party candidate Teresa Roundy.

Background

The Idaho State Department of Education says Critchfield "was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction in November 2022 and was sworn in on January 2, 2023." It says she "served as a seven-year member of the Idaho State Board of Education and was president during her final two years" and was co-chair of Gov. Brad Little's Education Task Force in 2019.

Idaho Education News reported in 2019 that she grew up in San Diego and earned a political science degree at Brigham Young University. It reported that in 2001 she "won election to the Cassia County School Board, where she served for 10 years," and that she took a job as the district's public information officer in 2013.

Election history

According to the Idaho Secretary of State's election database, Critchfield won the May 17, 2022 Republican primary for Superintendent of Public Instruction with 105,070 votes (39.7%). Branden Durst received 89,451 votes (33.8%) and incumbent Sherri Ybarra 70,431 (26.6%). She won the November 8, 2022 general election with 404,549 votes (69.8%) to Democrat Terry Gilbert's 175,076 (30.2%).

Record in office

The Idaho Legislature's bill page shows that House Bill 267, which established the Career Ready Students Program, passed the House 53-15 on March 9, 2023 and the Senate 24-10 on March 24, 2023, and was signed on March 31, 2023. Idaho Education News reported in January 2026 that the program, with an initial investment of $45 million, "funds career and technical education in grades seven through 12." It reported that she passed House Bill 92, requiring high schools to teach a financial literacy class, and House Bill 163 to reinforce parental rights in education.

Idaho Education News reported in March 2026 that Critchfield was fighting to save "her sole priority for the 2026 session," a fund for high-needs students. The Legislature's bill page shows that Senate Bill 1288, which established the Idaho High-Needs Student Fund, passed the Senate 22-12 on February 26, 2026 and the House 49-21 on March 24, 2026. Rep. Judy Boyle, a Republican, said of Critchfield's approach: "I thought Debbie was being very creative."

When the Legislature's budget committee asked her in January 2026 for ways to cut public school funding, she wrote in a letter reported by the Spokesman-Review: "I will not be recommending further cuts to the public schools budget for FY 2026 or FY 2027." She wrote: "The public schools budget is more than numbers on a spreadsheet. It represents every one of our students, classrooms, teachers and communities."

When Gov. Little signed the private school tax credit in February 2025, Idaho Reports reported that Critchfield said public schools "are and will continue to be the schools of choice for the vast majority of Idaho parents." At the September 22, 2026 debate she said, according to Idaho Education News: "This is not a yes or no question to me. I think that anytime there is a tax bill that comes forward it needs to earn my support on its merits."

The October debate

Idaho Education News's Kevin Richert reported on October 1, 2026 that Critchfield had agreed to an October 12 KTVB debate against Sundin Mitchell and then backed out. She said her decision "isn't about avoiding a debate" and said: "There are three candidates in this race, and I believe voters deserve the opportunity to hear from all three." Sundin Mitchell said that KTVB set its criteria for participation and that Critchfield's decision to withdraw "means Idaho voters will no longer get the opportunity to hear the candidates answer questions side by side."

Endorsements and supporters

Gov. Brad Little endorsed her in 2022, KMVT reported, saying: "I know Debbie will uphold our constitutional obligation to Idaho students and schools."

What critics say

Sundin Mitchell said at the September 22 debate: "Until we can fully fund public schools, we should never be sending money to private schools." On special education she said: "It couldn't be a more broken system."

In October 2024, Critchfield announced a supplemental curriculum from PragerU that school boards may approve. Idaho Education News quoted her: "Not every school district will find a place for this in their classrooms. That's OK." Kali Cusimano of the Council for Holocaust Awareness of Idaho said in an email to Critchfield: "Accurate and comprehensive teaching is essential to combat antisemitism and prevent Holocaust distortion and denial." Mike Journee of the Idaho Education Association said: "It is unclear if this curriculum has been vetted to ensure it meets Idaho's content standards."

In April 2026, Little signed a proclamation encouraging students to form Turning Point USA "Club America" chapters, and Critchfield spoke in support of the program. Andrea Dearden, the Department of Education's chief communications officer, said: "The line is drawn when one viewpoint is promoted over others or to the exclusion of others." Babe Vote, a youth civic engagement group, said: "The hypocrisy of this partnership is staggering."

Campaign finance

The Idaho Secretary of State's Sunshine campaign finance system showed contributions of $156,062.00 and expenditures of $67,678.28 for the 2026 cycle on October 2, 2026, for the committee Debbie For Idaho Students. It showed $194,882.77 in cash on hand and $0.00 in outstanding debt.

Sunshine's top-contributor list showed Angela Marozzo of Post Falls and Richard and Peggy Larsen Farms of Dubois at $10,000 each. It showed Potlatch Deltic, Tamarack Food and Beverage, Bennett Lumber Products, Riley Stegner and Associates, Micron Technology, Plummer Forest Products, Ag Nutrients and Redox Bio-Nutrients at $5,000 each. Sunshine classified $77,699.70 of her contributions as from companies and $68,028.96 as from persons.

Sources

Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated October 2, 2026. This profile will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Frequently asked questions

What office is Debbie Critchfield running for?
She is the Republican incumbent seeking a second term as Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction in the November 3, 2026 general election. Her opponents are Becky Sundin Mitchell and Teresa Roundy.
What is Debbie Critchfield's background?
She served on the Cassia County School Board for 10 years and on the Idaho State Board of Education for seven, the last two as president, before her election in 2022.
How did Debbie Critchfield win in 2022?
She won the Republican primary with 39.7% of the vote over Branden Durst and incumbent Sherri Ybarra, then won the general election with 69.8% against Democrat Terry Gilbert.
What legislation has Debbie Critchfield supported?
Idaho Education News reported that she passed House Bill 92 on financial literacy and House Bill 163 on parental rights, and the Career Ready Students Program became law in 2023.
Why did Debbie Critchfield withdraw from the KTVB debate?
She said she would not appear unless Constitution Party candidate Teresa Roundy was also on the stage, saying voters deserve to hear from all three candidates.
Who has endorsed Debbie Critchfield?
Gov. Brad Little endorsed her in the 2022 general election, KMVT reported on October 31, 2022, saying he knew she would uphold the state's constitutional obligation to Idaho students and schools.
How much money has Debbie Critchfield raised?
Idaho Sunshine showed $156,062.00 in contributions for the 2026 cycle on October 2, 2026, with $67,678.28 spent and $194,882.77 in cash on hand.