Doug Okuniewicz

Sen. Douglas "Doug" Okuniewicz is the Republican incumbent for Idaho Senate District 3, covering Hayden, Rathdrum, and surrounding northern Kootenai County. He is seeking re-election in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary and appears unopposed; the general election is November 3, 2026.

Background

Okuniewicz, approximately 60, was born in Phoenix, Arizona and resides in Hayden. He earned a B.A. from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1990 and an M.A. in communications from the University of Alabama, as documented on his Idaho Legislature member profile. He is president of AIM Management, Inc., a small business and intellectual-property management firm, and holds more than 25 U.S. patents. His pre-political career included senior management roles in corporations, an intellectual property company, employee benefits consulting, and a charitable nonprofit. He is married to Lori Okuniewicz and has two children.

Political Career

Okuniewicz lost the 2018 Republican primary for Idaho House District 2B, won the 2020 Republican primary for the same seat with 52.8 percent and the general with 83.5 percent, and was elected to Senate District 3 in 2022 (unopposed in primary and general), as documented by Ballotpedia. He was again unopposed in the 2024 Republican primary and won the general with 80.6 percent. He chairs the Senate Transportation Committee and serves on Senate Resources & Environment.

Policy Positions

Okuniewicz's legislative record is heaviest on restricting Idaho's citizen ballot initiative process. He sponsored SJR 101 (2023), a constitutional amendment to require initiative signatures from 6 percent of voters in all 35 legislative districts (passed Senate 27-8, died in House committee); SB 1376 and SB 1377 (2024) permitting legislators to publicly advocate on initiatives and requiring paid signature gatherers to disclose paid status via badge and verbal declaration; and SB 1300 (2026), which shifted appointment authority for the directors of Parks & Recreation, Transportation, and Fish & Game from boards and commissions to the governor. From his campaign site: "Wealthy elites who don't even live here are easily able to buy their way onto the ballot." On abortion: "Every avenue for protecting the unborn needs to be considered and supported. Doug will work hard to extend protections for life wherever possible, and work with others until the day abortion is abolished." In 2021 he sponsored HB 317 establishing a pass-through-business tax election described as roughly $1 billion in relief. In 2023 he voted against the Idaho Launch postsecondary career-incentive program. SB 1300 (2026) drew opposition from eastern Idaho legislators concerned about its impact on state-park agreements and agency independence.

Political Alignment

The Idaho Freedom Foundation Freedom Index has scored Okuniewicz in the 83.1 to 86 percent range in recent Senate cycles (B), down from 94.4 percent (A) during his 2021 House session. He was endorsed by Idaho Chooses Life in 2020, is an NRA member and competitive shooter, and touts a lifetime top rating from the American Conservative Union.

Campaign and Endorsements

Okuniewicz's 2026 campaign is supported by approximately $1,190 in independent expenditures from the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, per the Idaho Sunshine portal. Idaho EdNews reports KCRCC filed approximately $6,000 in total 2026 independent expenditures supporting a slate of approximately 25 conservative candidates including Okuniewicz, Sen. Phil Hart, Sen. Ben Toews, Sen. Scott Herndon, and Rep. Heather Scott. He would face Democrat Brian Seguin in November.