John Garrett

John H. Garrett: Idaho Democratic Candidate for Senate District 8

John H. Garrett is a Democratic candidate running for Idaho State Senate District 8 in the November 2026 general election. Garrett, a McCall resident and retired financial executive, will face the winner of a crowded four-way Republican primary, which includes incumbent Christy Zito, former House Majority Leader Megan Blanksma, former House member Terry Gestrin, and former District 8 Senator Geoff Schroeder, making this one of the most contested Senate seats in Idaho’s 2026 cycle. District 8 covers a geographically vast area including Valley, Custer, Boise, and Elmore counties in central Idaho.

Background Garrett spent nearly four decades in financial risk management at KPMG, one of the world’s Big Four accounting and professional services firms, retiring as Director of Financial Risk. His career at KPMG gave him extensive experience in the analysis of financial systems, organizational risk, and regulatory compliance, expertise that translates into a practical understanding of public budgeting, fiscal management, and the financial tradeoffs that shape state government decisions. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Idaho. He now lives in a log cabin in central Idaho’s mountain country, in the McCall area of Valley County.

Garrett also received Preservation Idaho’s Orchid Award in 2009 for historic architectural preservation, specifically recognized for his work on the renovation of the historic Crescent Brewery facility in Nampa, a contribution to preserving Idaho’s architectural and industrial heritage.

District 8: Central Idaho’s Mountain and Rural Counties Senate District 8 is one of Idaho’s most expansive and scenically varied legislative districts. Valley County, where Garrett lives, is home to McCall, a popular mountain resort community on the shore of Payette Lake, as well as Cascade and a vast network of public lands including the Payette National Forest and Boise National Forest. Elmore County (Mountain Home) includes Mountain Home Air Force Base, one of Idaho’s most significant military installations, while the more sparsely populated Custer and Boise counties are defined by mining history, backcountry wilderness, and small ranching communities.

2026 Race

The Republican primary Garrett’s general-election opponent will emerge from is among the most interesting in the state. The race pits far-right incumbent Christy Zito, a Gang of Eight member whose undefeated record across 12 total contests makes her a formidable primary survivor, against Megan Blanksma (former House Majority Leader ousted from leadership in 2024), Terry Gestrin (a longtime former House member from Cascade), and Geoff Schroeder (a former District 8 senator who lost to Zito in the 2024 primary). The four candidates combined hold more than 13 terms of legislative experience.

FAQ Who is John H. Garrett? John H. Garrett is a Democratic candidate for Idaho Senate District 8, a McCall-area resident and retired KPMG Director of Financial Risk with nearly 40 years in financial risk management. He holds a University of Idaho degree and is a Preservation Idaho award recipient.

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