What office is Jacob Burnett running for?

He is a declared Independent write-in candidate for Governor of Idaho in the November 3, 2026 general election, according to the Idaho Secretary of State's filed-candidate list.

What does it mean that Jacob Burnett is a write-in candidate?

Idaho Code 34-702A says a write-in vote counts only if the candidate has filed a declaration of intent. In counties that use optical scan ballots, voters must write the name in rather than use a sticker.

When did Jacob Burnett file?

The Idaho Secretary of State lists his filing as dated March 4, 2026, and as approved. The list also marks the filing as a write-in candidacy.

What does Jacob Burnett say about the private-school tax credit?

He told the Idaho Capital Sun: "I support keeping it." He also wrote in the CBS2/FOX9 survey that he supports school choice through year-end tax refunds.

What is Jacob Burnett's position on Proposition 1?

He told the Idaho Capital Sun that if voters pass it, he would respect the outcome and work to see it implemented consistent with reasonable limits and medical oversight.

How much money has Jacob Burnett raised?

Idaho Sunshine showed $144.88 in contributions for 2026 on October 2, 2026, with $119.88 spent and $25.00 in cash on hand. The top contributor listed was Burnett himself.

Independent

Jacob Burnett

Governor

Nampa

Jacob Burnett, Independent write-in candidate for Governor of Idaho

Jacob Burnett is a declared Independent write-in candidate for Governor of Idaho in the November 3, 2026 general election. The Idaho Secretary of State lists his filing, dated March 4, 2026, as approved and as a write-in.

Under Idaho Code 34-702A, "No write-in vote for any office in a primary, special, or general election shall be counted unless a completed declaration of intent form has been filed". The same section bars voters in counties that use optical scan ballots from using stickers or any method other than writing to vote for a person whose name is not printed on the ballot.

Background

The Idaho Capital Sun's 2026 voter guide lists his hometown as Middleton and his occupation as self employed.

In the CBS2/FOX9 candidate survey published August 24, 2026, he wrote: "I'm an Idaho native, raised outside Middleton where I grew up raising animals and growing food. I've also lived in Coeur d'Alene and traveled extensively throughout this state I've called home since birth."

Priorities

In the Idaho Capital Sun questionnaire, Burnett's first priority is: "restoring accountability through sweeping audits of state agencies, transparent lobbying rules, and an end to backroom deals that put corporate and outside interests ahead of Idahoans."

His second is: "protecting property and affordability by lowering or eliminating personal property taxes for residents, slowing speculative out-of-state development, and making land ownership realistic for working families again."

In the CBS2/FOX9 survey he wrote: "I plan to launch sweeping audits of all state departments to root out waste and misappropriated funds, then reallocate those savings toward struggling areas, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and community development, instead of raising taxes."

Housing and development

On housing, he told the Idaho Capital Sun: "I'd implement a moratorium on large-scale developments where necessary, impose taxes on out-of-state buyers for 5–10 years to discourage speculation, offer tax breaks and work to lower interest rates on home purchases for existing Idaho residents."

On data centers, he wrote in the CBS2/FOX9 survey: "I'm incredibly skeptical of large-scale data center development here, and I don't think they should get special tax breaks."

Education

On the private-school tax credit, he told the Idaho Capital Sun: "I support keeping it." In the CBS2/FOX9 survey he wrote: "I support school choice through year-end tax refunds parents can use at any institution".

Nuclear campus

On the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, he told the Idaho Capital Sun: "I'm skeptical of this deal overall."

Abortion and Proposition 1

On abortion, he told the Idaho Capital Sun: "My own position has consistently been to support abortion access through the first trimester, with exceptions for rape, incest, or threats to maternal or child health".

On Proposition 1, he said: "If voters pass it, I'd respect that outcome, the will of the people matters, but as governor I'd work to see it implemented in a way consistent with reasonable limits and medical oversight, not simply repeal a decision Idahoans made at the ballot box."

Campaign finance

The Idaho Secretary of State's Sunshine campaign finance system showed $144.88 in contributions and $119.88 in expenditures for the 2026 cycle on October 2, 2026. The top contributor listed was Burnett himself, at $119.88. Sunshine showed $25.00 in cash on hand.

The Idaho Capital Sun listed "Unaffiliated write-in candidate Jacob Burnett: $144" in its October 2, 2026 table of campaign funds raised, using data as of September 30.

Sources

Idaho Capital Sun, 2026 voter guide, his hometown, occupation and questionnaire answers
CBS2/FOX9, 2026 general election survey: Governor, his background, budget and data center answers
Idaho Legislature, Idaho Code 34-702A, the write-in declaration of intent requirement
Idaho Sunshine, his 2026 campaign finance totals
Idaho Capital Sun, October 2, 2026, statewide fundraising totals
Idaho Secretary of State, filed candidates, his filing and write-in status

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 Jacob Burnett running for?: He is a declared Independent write-in candidate for Governor of Idaho in the November 3, 2026 general election, according to the Idaho Secretary of State's filed-candidate list.
What does it mean that Jacob Burnett is a write-in candidate?: Idaho Code 34-702A says a write-in vote counts only if the candidate has filed a declaration of intent. In counties that use optical scan ballots, voters must write the name in rather than use a sticker.
When did Jacob Burnett file?: The Idaho Secretary of State lists his filing as dated March 4, 2026, and as approved. The list also marks the filing as a write-in candidacy.
What does Jacob Burnett say about the private-school tax credit?: He told the Idaho Capital Sun: "I support keeping it." He also wrote in the CBS2/FOX9 survey that he supports school choice through year-end tax refunds.
What is Jacob Burnett's position on Proposition 1?: He told the Idaho Capital Sun that if voters pass it, he would respect the outcome and work to see it implemented consistent with reasonable limits and medical oversight.
How much money has Jacob Burnett raised?: Idaho Sunshine showed $144.88 in contributions for 2026 on October 2, 2026, with $119.88 spent and $25.00 in cash on hand. The top contributor listed was Burnett himself.