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

Ellie Gilbreath

Ellie Gilbreath

U.S. House District 2

Ellie Gilbreath, Democratic candidate for U.S. House, Idaho District 2

Ellie Gilbreath, a Democrat from Ketchum, is a candidate for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. She filed on February 24, 2026, and the Idaho Secretary of State's filed-candidates search lists the filing as approved. She won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary with 19,523 votes (72.48%), according to the Idaho Secretary of State's certified results. Her opponents are Republican incumbent Mike Simpson, independents Emre Houser and Tripp Charles Hutchinson, and Libertarian Will Johanson.

Background

The Idaho Mountain Express reported in March 2026 that Gilbreath, 63, "who's never held an elected position, works as a business and personal coach at Ellie Newman Coaching, a business she owns and operates under her maiden name." It reported that she holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law School and had stepped back from coaching about six months earlier as she became more interested in politics. The Idaho Capital Sun called her "a first-time candidate."

East Idaho News reported that she said her family moved to Idaho in 2003, initially intending to stay only briefly. In the Idaho Capital Sun's 2026 voter guide she lists her age as 64, her hometown as Ketchum, her occupation as "Mediator/Attorney" and 23 years lived in Idaho.

The primary

The Idaho Capital Sun reported that Julie Wiley, who was also on the Democratic primary ballot, "previously announced she would end her campaign and endorse Gilbreath in a March press release." Wiley's name stayed on the ballot.

Positions

East Idaho News reported: "Though running as a Democrat, Gilbreath describes herself politically as a centrist." She said: "The values of the framers are conservative values." Her campaign home page, in a copy archived on September 17, 2026, says: "The biggest divide in America is not left vs. right. It's top vs. bottom."

Her policies page calls for "outright banning corporate purchase of single-family homes" and says: "Tax capital like labor. A dollar earned by an Idaho worker shouldn't be taxed more than a dollar earned by a Wall Street investor." It says: "Term limits to stop career politicians. Two terms in the Senate, three in the House, 18 years for Supreme Court justices."

In the Idaho Capital Sun's voter guide she wrote on Social Security: "no cuts to Social Security benefits, period. Lift the payroll tax cap so the ultra-wealthy contribute their fair share." On health care she wrote: "Restore Medicaid funding, reinstate ACA premium tax credits, and treat rural healthcare access as the infrastructure problem it is." On immigration she wrote: "America is a closed border nation. We need a strong secure border. This benefits everyone." On public lands she wrote: "I oppose selling or transferring Idaho's public lands. Full stop."

On the SAVE Act she wrote: "The SAVE Act has a goal I share but a mechanism that causes real harm." On the proposed Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus she wrote: "'Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus' is a misleading designation. Simpson applauds this. I oppose it."

The Idaho Mountain Express reported in March 2026 that Gilbreath said she would not be comfortable going into detail on her policies at that point in her campaign. CBS2 reported on its August 2026 survey page: "Gilbreath did not respond to the survey."

Campaign finance

According to her Federal Election Commission filings for the committee Ellie for Idaho, she had raised $106,892.02, all from individuals, and spent $35,728.94 in the coverage period ending June 30, 2026. She had $71,163.08 in cash on hand and no debts. By a tally of the filings, $45,300.00 of the $86,341.00 in itemized individual contributions came from donors with Idaho addresses.

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 Ellie Gilbreath running for?
She is the Democratic candidate for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. Her opponents are Republican incumbent Mike Simpson, Emre Houser, Tripp Charles Hutchinson and Will Johanson.
What is Ellie Gilbreath's background?
The Idaho Mountain Express reported that she owns a business and personal coaching company in Ketchum, has stepped back from coaching, holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law School and has never held elected office. The Idaho Capital Sun lists her occupation as mediator and attorney.
Is Ellie Gilbreath a centrist?
East Idaho News reported that she describes herself politically as a centrist, though she is running as a Democrat.
Where does Ellie Gilbreath stand on public lands?
She wrote in the Idaho Capital Sun's voter guide: "I oppose selling or transferring Idaho's public lands. Full stop."
Where does Ellie Gilbreath stand on the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus?
She wrote that the name is misleading and that she opposes it, and that Simpson applauds it.
How much money has Ellie Gilbreath raised?
Her FEC filings show $106,892.02 raised in the coverage period ending June 30, 2026, with $71,163.08 in cash on hand.