Jeff Ehlers

Jeff Ehlers: Idaho Republican Incumbent for House District 21B

Jeff Ehlers is a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives seeking a third term in District 21B, which covers a portion of Meridian in Ada County. Ehlers lives in Meridian and has represented the district since first taking office in December 2022. He is running unopposed in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary. Daniel S. Weston is running as a Constitution Party candidate in the general election, and Casey Hess is running in the Democratic primary.

Background

Ehlers is a sixth-generation Idahoan who grew up working on a potato farm and in his father's small business, as described in his Ballotpedia candidate survey. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from Brigham Young University in 2008 and an MBA from the University of Utah in 2013 with an emphasis in entrepreneurship. His professional career has included roles as a CPA, CFO, and business consultant. He co-founded Realize Consulting and Ivan Farm Technologies and has started, owned, and sold several other businesses. He and his wife Karla, whom he met in high school, live in Meridian with their four children. Within the Republican Party he has served as a precinct committeeman and 3rd Vice Chair of the Ada County Republicans.

Political Career

Ehlers first won election to the Idaho House in 2022, defeating two other Republicans in the primary before winning the general election unopposed. He was re-elected in 2024, defeating Democrat Becky McKinstry and Constitution Party candidate Daniel S. Weston in the general election, as documented on Ballotpedia. He currently chairs the Ways and Means Committee and also sits on the Business and Revenue and Taxation committees, per his Idaho Legislature member page. The Ways and Means Committee is used to quickly introduce legislation, typically near the end of a session. In prior sessions he served on the Agricultural Affairs, Business, and Revenue and Taxation committees, as reported by KIVI-TV. He has cited tax policy transparency as a central legislative focus, noting his sponsorship of a bill to bring greater transparency to state agency finances.

Policy Positions

Ehlers's publicly stated priorities, drawn from his Idaho Republican Party candidate profile and Ballotpedia survey, center on limited government, fiscal conservatism, responsible growth management, and constitutional rights. He has emphasized his business background as preparation for setting sound tax and budget policy in the Legislature. He supports Second Amendment rights, opposes abortion, and has stated his belief that individual rights are God-given and constitutionally protected. On growth, he has said it is important to hear from homeowners and families, not just government and business, when addressing transportation, taxation, and property issues stemming from Meridian's rapid expansion.

Political Alignment

Ehlers is a Traditional Conservative Republican. His committee assignments and legislative focus on tax transparency and fiscal policy place him within the institutional mainstream of the Idaho House. His stated positions on constitutional rights, limited government, and pro-life policy reflect the broad conservative governing tradition of the Idaho Republican caucus.

Campaign and Endorsements

Ehlers is running unopposed in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary. Daniel S. Weston will appear on the general election ballot as a Constitution Party candidate, and Casey Hess is running in the Democratic primary. No formal endorsements for his 2026 campaign had been publicly reported at the time of publication. The general election is November 3, 2026.