Jared Dawson

Jared Dawson: Idaho Democratic Candidate for House District 8B

Jared Dawson is a Democratic candidate running for Idaho House District 8B in the November 2026 general election. Dawson is from Kellogg, Shoshone County, and graduated from Kellogg High School. He attended North Idaho College and the University of Idaho. He has worked as a substitute teacher, and is a community volunteer.

Background and Kellogg Community

Dawson is from Kellogg, a Silver Valley mining community in Shoshone County whose history is inseparable from the lead and silver mining industry that defined the region for over a century. The Silver Valley’s economy was anchored by the Bunker Hill Mine and Smelter complex until its closure and Superfund designation in the 1980s, an event that reshaped Kellogg and its neighboring communities dramatically. Today Kellogg’s economy has diversified into outdoor recreation through the Silver Mountain Resort ski area and mountain bike park, while the Silver Valley’s mining legacy remains both an economic challenge and a point of community identity.

District 8B

House District 8B spans a large and geographically diverse territory: Gooding, Fairfield, and the Camas Prairie communities in South Central Idaho, extending into Shoshone County and the Silver Valley in North Idaho. The district’s Republican incumbent, John Vander Woude, represents an overwhelmingly Republican constituency. Dawson’s candidacy ensures District 8B voters have a contested choice on the November ballot.

2026 Campaign

Dawson is running as the Democratic candidate for House District 8B in 2026, offering voters in this heavily Republican district an alternative voice and ensuring the seat is contested. His background in education and community service reflects his commitment to the people of the Silver Valley and surrounding communities.

FAQ

Who is Jared Dawson? Jared Dawson is a Democratic candidate from Kellogg running for Idaho House District 8B. A graduate of Kellogg High School who attended North Idaho College and the University of Idaho, he has worked as a substitute teacher and community volunteer.

Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated April 2026.