Greg Ferch

Greg Ferch is a Republican former state representative seeking a return to the Idaho House of Representatives in District 22 Seat A, an Ada County district covering Meridian-area portions. The seat is open in 2026 because incumbent Rep. John Vander Woude is retiring. Ferch faces Republican Kelly Walton in the May 19, 2026 primary; Democrat Loren Petty awaits the winner in the November 3, 2026 general.

Background

Ferch, 60, was born in Orange, California and raised in Kenmare, North Dakota. He earned a B.S. in human biology from the University of North Dakota in 1989 and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in 1993. He served in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 1994 as a combat medic, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant; his unit was activated for Operation Desert Storm in 1991 while he was in chiropractic school, as described on his campaign website. He has operated a Boise chiropractic practice since April 1994 and is a real estate investor and commercial property manager. He is married to Angela Ferch, whom he met in the Army in 1987.

Political Career

Ferch represented District 21B from December 2020 to December 2022 (a single House term), winning the 2020 Republican primary with approximately 49 percent and the general election with 71.5 percent, as documented by Ballotpedia. He was assigned to the House Health & Welfare Committee. He lost the 2022 Republican primary in newly redistricted District 22A to John Vander Woude with approximately 46.6 percent. He has served as Chairman of District 22 Republicans and currently chairs the Central District Health Board, appointed by Ada County commissioners in October 2023 and reappointed in 2025 per Boise State Public Radio.

Policy Positions

Ferch's 2026 platform calls for property and income tax cuts, reduced regulation, school choice, parental rights, and Second Amendment protection, emphasizing 33 years of healthcare-delivery experience as a chiropractor. From the KIVI candidate Q&A: "I'm running because Idaho needs steady, experienced, conservative leadership that puts principles ahead of politics." During 2021 floor debate, the Spokesman-Review documented, Ferch falsely claimed Idaho's COVID-19 death toll included people who died in motorcycle accidents and car crashes. Idaho Reports documented that he voted in 2022 against a House rules change altering the ethics-complaint process, joining only the most hardline Freedom Foundation-aligned members. He has signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge for congressional term limits.

Political Alignment

During his prior House term Ferch was rated A+ at 97.2 percent (2021) and A+ at 97.5 percent Freedom / 100 percent Spending / 100 percent Education (2022) by the Idaho Freedom Foundation, recognized as an "Index All-Star" alongside Reps. Heather Scott, Tammy Nichols, Karey Hanks, Chad Christensen, and Ron Nate, per the 2022 IFF Freedom Index report. Boise State Public Radio reported at the time of his 2023 Central District Health Board appointment that Ferch had shared anti-vaccine content on social media for several years, with at least one post flagged by Facebook as misinformation, and that he had expressed alignment with Ryan Cole, a CDH board member and pathologist who spread misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.

Campaign and Endorsements

Ferch's 2026 campaign is supported by approximately $950 in independent expenditures from Citizens Alliance of Idaho PAC, per the Idaho Sunshine portal. Idaho EdNews has reported that Citizens Alliance of Idaho PAC draws substantial out-of-state money, including from a Virginia-based national affiliate (a $450,000 transfer to the Idaho state PAC) and Pennsylvania gaming-related sources. He is also endorsed by Idaho Freedom PAC, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador, and U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher. His primary opponent Kelly Walton is endorsed by retiring incumbent Rep. Vander Woude.