Jennifer Marie Miles

Jennifer Miles: Pocatello Small-Business Owner and Behavioral-Health Professional Seeks Idaho House District 29, Seat B

Jennifer Miles won the Republican primary for Idaho House District 29, Seat B on May 19, 2026, defeating one-term incumbent Rep. Tanya Burgoyne by 1,814 votes to 1,774, a margin of 40 votes, or 50.56 percent to 49.44 percent, according to certified Idaho Secretary of State results. She advances to the November 3, 2026 general election, where she will face Democrat Nate Roberts.

The Race

District 29 Seat B covers most of Pocatello and part of Chubbuck, a district of roughly 53,200 residents, according to East Idaho News. Roberts, a Pocatello Democrat, ran unopposed in his party's primary and received 1,943 votes, per certified Secretary of State results.

Roberts held the seat from 2022 to 2024 before losing it to Burgoyne in the 2024 general election. According to Idaho Education News' election-night coverage, Burgoyne won that race with 52.6 percent of the vote to Roberts' 47.4 percent, a 5.2-point margin.

Biography

Miles was born and raised in Soda Springs, in southeastern Idaho, and graduated from Soda Springs High School in 2000. "I started working at age 12 and haven't stopped," she said in her March 26, 2026 campaign announcement, published as a news release by the Idaho State Journal. "Southeastern Idaho shaped who I am, and I'm grateful to be part of this community."

She earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Idaho State University, one in political science in 2005 and one in social work in 2010, and completed a Master of Social Work degree at Boise State University in 2012, per the Idaho State Journal. She now lives in Pocatello. She has been married to her husband, Brock, for 10 years, and they have two children and a dog named Dexter, according to her own account in an East Idaho News candidate questionnaire.

Career

Miles owns two small businesses in Pocatello, per the Idaho State Journal. In an East Idaho News candidate questionnaire, she described her professional background: eight years as a clinical director in substance-abuse and mental-health treatment for a Pocatello agency, working with people who struggled with severe and persistent mental illness, including providing services to drug court members in Bannock County and Fort Hall. In 2023, she wrote, she helped obtain and implement the Bannock County mental health court at the facility where she worked. She continues to provide clinical supervision to social work licensees.

Her campaign's priorities page describes this treatment-court work as "one of her strongest areas of professional expertise": "Jennifer has worked inside these systems. In behavioral health, drug court, and mental-health court she has seen firsthand how treatment helps people overcome barriers, strengthen families, and improve community safety."

Platform

Education and workforce development lead her platform. "My platform is dedicated to advancing public education and workforce development, empowering children to become independent contributors to Idaho's economy," she wrote in the East Idaho News candidate questionnaire. Her campaign site names the Idaho Launch program, which it says has "helped young Idahoans gain skills and stay here," as something that should be protected. On affordability, the site states that housing, groceries and healthcare all cost more for District 29 families, and commits to "holding the line on taxes, looking for responsible relief, and making sure growth pays its own way so property taxpayers aren't left carrying the cost."

She supports Idaho's right-to-work law, writing on her site that it "protects a worker's freedom to choose whether to join a union." On healthcare, the site calls for "responsible Medicaid policy that protects both patients and taxpayers" alongside healthcare access and benefits for seniors.

On water and agriculture, her priorities page states: "The individuals who work closely with water — those with firsthand experience and local expertise — are best equipped to make decisions about its management and use. Rather than imposing government control over local water issues, it is essential to trust and empower these local experts." On government ethics, the site says, "Ethics investigations within the Idaho Legislature should not be concealed from the public. Citizens have a fundamental right to be informed about activities and proceedings within their government." The site also lists regular review of state contracts and programs, keeping public lands "in public hands," the Second Amendment, and responsible budgeting among her priorities.

In the East Idaho News questionnaire, Miles was asked about a legislative memorial seeking to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. "I am firmly committed to maintaining progress and equality and have no interest in turning back the clock on this issue," she said. "Idaho needs to focus on Idaho issues, however if this or something similar to this were to come up in the future, I would support what the community feels is best."

Campaign Finance

Miles' 2026 campaign finance filings on Idaho's Sunshine portal show beginning cash of $924.25, contributions of $26,889.25, and loans received of $16,450.00. The campaign reported expenditures of $33,713.92 and ending cash of $9,625.33, with outstanding debt of $16,450.00 matching the loan amount.

Her largest listed contribution came from David and Shirley Miles at $1,500. Five donors gave $1,000 each: Mike Veile, Ramsey Heating and Electric, Jim Guthrie, Idaho Land Fund, and Idaho Farm Bureau Federation PAC. Scott Dewall contributed $750, Jeremiah Sweet contributed $732.57, and Jennifer Miles herself contributed $945 and $700, per the Sunshine portal.

Election Night

Miles spoke to East Idaho News about the result on election night. "I'm feeling positive, regardless," she said. "Regardless of what happens, I do feel that there are a lot of positives that came from this. ... I do hope I win, because I know I would represent Pocatello well." She also thanked her supporters: "I appreciate all the support along the way, because this has been uncharted territory for me — something that's new — and I am grateful for everyone."

Sources

• Idaho Secretary of State, certified May 19, 2026 primary results
• Idaho State Journal, "Jennifer Miles announces candidacy for Idaho State House District 29, Seat B"
• East Idaho News, candidate questionnaire
• East Idaho News, "Primary challenger ousts District 29 freshman representative"
• Miles for Idaho, campaign priorities page
• Idaho Education News, "Election Night live blog (FINAL)"
• Idaho Secretary of State Sunshine portal, campaign finance filings