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

Geoffrey Surbeck

Geoffrey Surbeck

Idaho Senate, District 16

Campaign website:Campaign Website
City:Boise

Geoffrey Surbeck, Republican nominee for Idaho Senate District 16

Geoffrey Surbeck is the Republican nominee for Idaho Senate District 16 on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. He faces Democrat Soñia Galaviz for the seat held by Sen. Ali Rabe, a Boise Democrat who is not seeking re-election.

The open seat

Rabe announced in February 2026 that she would leave the Senate seat at the end of her term and endorsed Galaviz, a sitting state representative in the district, to succeed her. "I've stood up for public education, fair tax policy, and affordable child and health care, and I've worked alongside colleagues from both sides of the aisle to pass good legislation," Rabe wrote in her announcement. Rabe was first elected in 2020 and won re-election in 2022 and 2024.

Galaviz told Idaho Education News that moving to the Senate felt like "just an extension of the political experience and opportunity down here."

Primary win

Surbeck won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary with 1,992 votes, 64.63 percent, to 1,090 votes, 35.37 percent, for LeeJoe Lay, according to the official Ada County election-night canvass.

Background

Surbeck is Vice President of the board of Peace Valley Charter School, a Waldorf-inspired public charter school in Boise. He joined the board in October 2021. His connection to the school comes through his youngest son, a student there since 2020. The school's governance page also lists him as a husband and father of three, a former Treasurer of West Boise Little League, and a youth sports coach in swimming, lacrosse, and baseball.

Campaign finance

Surbeck has reported $848.06 in total contributions for the 2026 cycle, of which $800 came from himself, according to his Idaho Secretary of State Sunshine profile. He has also loaned his campaign $2,500.00 and reports $2,501.00 in outstanding debt. His ending cash balance stands at $1,985.41 as of his last filed report.

Sources

Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated September 26, 2026. This profile will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Frequently asked questions

What district does Geoffrey Surbeck hope to represent?
He is running for Idaho Senate District 16, a Boise-area legislative district. The seat is open this year because the incumbent, Sen. Ali Rabe, chose not to seek re-election.
Who is his opponent?
He faces Democrat Soñia Galaviz, a state representative whom Rabe endorsed to succeed her in the Senate seat.
How did Surbeck win his primary?
He defeated LeeJoe Lay in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary, 1,992 votes to 1,090, or 64.63 percent, per the Ada County canvass.
What is his role at Peace Valley Charter School?
He is Vice President of the school's governing board, a position he has held since joining the board in October 2021. His youngest son has attended the school since 2020.
How is his campaign funded?
His campaign has reported $848.06 in total contributions, with $800 of that coming from Surbeck himself, plus a $2,500.00 loan from him to the campaign. His cash balance stands at $1,985.41 as of his most recent filing.
Why is the seat open?
Sen. Ali Rabe, a Democrat first elected in 2020, announced in February 2026 that she would not run for re-election and endorsed Rep. Soñia Galaviz to succeed her.

Also on the ballot in District 16

Every candidate for the State Senate and both House seats in this district. See the full District 16 page.

More on the November 3 ballot