What office is Emre Houser running for?

He is an independent candidate for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. His opponents are Mike Simpson, Ellie Gilbreath, Tripp Charles Hutchinson and Will Johanson.

What is Emre Houser's background?

His campaign website says he joined the Air Force in 1995 and the Idaho National Guard in 1999, served the country for over 27 years, and has been a small business owner in Idaho for over 15 years.

Was Emre Houser a Democrat?

His campaign website says he was a registered Democrat for years, was recruited to run as one, walked away from the party in 2025 and changed his registration to Unaffiliated.

Where does Emre Houser stand on public lands?

His platform page says he will not allow public lands to be sold to the highest bidder to deny access.

Did Emre Houser answer the 2026 candidate questionnaires?

The Idaho Capital Sun's voter guide lists that he did not respond to its questionnaire, and CBS2 reported that he did not respond to its survey.

How much money has Emre Houser raised?

The Federal Election Commission's page shows no financial summary for his committee, and the Idaho Capital Sun reported in September 2026 that he had no reported contributions or expenditures in FEC filings.

Independent

Emre Houser

U.S. House District 2

Emre Houser, independent candidate for U.S. House, Idaho District 2

Emre Houser, an independent from Boise, is a candidate for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. He filed on February 26, 2026, and the Idaho Secretary of State's filed-candidates search lists the filing as approved. He had no primary contest. His opponents are Republican incumbent Mike Simpson, Democrat Ellie Gilbreath, independent Tripp Charles Hutchinson and Libertarian Will Johanson.

Background

His campaign website says Houser joined the Air Force in 1995 and was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base after technical school in March 1996, deployed to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and "joined the Idaho National Guard here in Boise in 1999." It says his Guard service "included multiple deployments to include Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003," that he served the country for over 27 years, and that he has been a small business owner in Idaho for over 15 years. In an April 2026 post on Bluesky he described himself as "a father, Veteran, and a Small Business Owner in Boise Idaho."

Party history

The About page of his campaign website says: "For years, I was a registered Democrat. I was even recruited to run as one. But in 2025, I made the hardest decision of my political life: I walked away." It says: "So, I changed my registration to Unaffiliated. I am running as an independent because I answer to no one but the voters of Idaho." The page also says: "I saw that both major parties have become clubs for the wealthy, funded by corporate buybacks and special interests, designed to protect the status quo."

Positions

His platform page lists, among other items, defending the Constitution and public lands, term limits, a bar on members of Congress investing in individual stocks and bonds, getting rid of Citizens United, removing the Social Security cap, outlawing stock buybacks and reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine for social media. On public lands it says: "I will not allow our beloved public lands be sold to the highest bidder for them to just put up fences and road blocks to deny access." On term limits it says: "I promise to serve a full term; two if I'm effective in making changes."

The platform page asks: "Why did Mike Simpson vote yes to this bill?" about the 2003 Medicare Modernization Act. The House Clerk's roll call 669 shows Simpson voting yea on the conference report, which passed 220-215.

In an April 3, 2026 post on the campaign's Bluesky account that was addressed to Simpson, Houser wrote: "When did going to war for Israel become a good thing? Come on Mike, everyone knows." On May 13, 2026 he posted: "This war of choice with Iran, is harmful to all of us."

The Idaho Capital Sun's 2026 voter guide lists "This candidate did not respond to the questionnaire" beneath Houser's name. CBS2 reported on its August 2026 survey page: "Houser did not respond to the survey."

Campaign finance

The Federal Election Commission's committee page lists Houser for Idaho with a registration date of April 1, 2026, and its candidate page shows no financial summary for the 2025-2026 cycle. The Idaho Capital Sun reported on September 15, 2026 that Houser and Johanson "didn't have reported contributions or expenditures in FEC filings."

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 Emre Houser running for?: He is an independent candidate for Idaho's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. His opponents are Mike Simpson, Ellie Gilbreath, Tripp Charles Hutchinson and Will Johanson.
What is Emre Houser's background?: His campaign website says he joined the Air Force in 1995 and the Idaho National Guard in 1999, served the country for over 27 years, and has been a small business owner in Idaho for over 15 years.
Was Emre Houser a Democrat?: His campaign website says he was a registered Democrat for years, was recruited to run as one, walked away from the party in 2025 and changed his registration to Unaffiliated.
Where does Emre Houser stand on public lands?: His platform page says he will not allow public lands to be sold to the highest bidder to deny access.
Did Emre Houser answer the 2026 candidate questionnaires?: The Idaho Capital Sun's voter guide lists that he did not respond to its questionnaire, and CBS2 reported that he did not respond to its survey.
How much money has Emre Houser raised?: The Federal Election Commission's page shows no financial summary for his committee, and the Idaho Capital Sun reported in September 2026 that he had no reported contributions or expenditures in FEC filings.