Josh Tanner

Josh Tanner: Idaho Republican Incumbent for House District 14B

Josh Tanner is a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives serving District 14, Seat B, representing the Eagle area in Ada County. Tanner was first elected in November 2022 and is currently in his second term. He is seeking reelection in the May 2026 Republican primary.

2024 Primary Election Results Tanner 6,719 votes / Unopposed

2024 General Election Results Tanner 25,629 votes / Daly 7,431 votes

Background

Josh Tanner was born and raised in Eagle, Idaho, in the Treasure Valley region. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and an Executive MBA, both from Boise State University, as documented on his official Idaho Legislature member profile. Tanner owns and operates multiple small businesses in Eagle. Prior to his election to the legislature, he served as an elected commissioner and chairman of the Eagle Fire Protection District beginning in 2018, a role he held through his first legislative campaign. According to the Gem State Chronicle’s legislative profile, Tanner is an Evangelical Christian and describes himself as an avid hunter and fisherman. He and his wife Dominique have three children.

Political Career

Tanner first ran for the District 14B seat in 2020 but lost in the Republican primary to incumbent Gayann DeMordaunt. He ran again in 2022, defeating DeMordaunt in the primary and winning the general election against Democratic challenger Shelley Brock, as recorded on his Ballotpedia profile. He assumed office on December 1, 2022.

During his first term, Tanner served on the Appropriations (JFAC), Environment, Energy and Technology, House Health and Welfare, Joint Legislative Oversight, and Ways and Means Committees. The House Republican Caucus elected him Assistant Majority Leader ahead of the 2025 session, according to reporting by KTVB.

He ran unopposed in the May 2024 Republican primary and defeated Democratic candidate Jo Daly in the November 2024 general election by a wide margin, 25,629 votes to 7,431.

The most significant development of Tanner’s second term came at its outset. In January 2026, House Speaker Mike Moyle appointed Tanner as House co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC), the legislature’s budget-writing body, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun. The appointment came after longtime JFAC co-chair Wendy Horman resigned to join the Trump administration. Tanner stepped down from his Assistant Majority Leader position upon accepting the role, in keeping with the legislature’s norm against holding both positions simultaneously. As co-chair, Tanner has worked alongside Senate co-chair Scott Grow, R-Eagle, to navigate a projected budget shortfall of roughly $555 million for fiscal year 2027, the product of slower-than-expected revenue following several years of tax cuts, according to Idaho Education News. JFAC, working with Tanner as co-chair, advanced the 2026 Idaho Rescissions Act (Senate Bill 1331), which cut approximately $192 million from the current fiscal year budget, as described in detail by the Gem State Chronicle. As of March 2026, Tanner continues to serve on the Resources and Conservation Committee in addition to his JFAC duties, per the Idaho Legislature’s JFAC membership page.

Policy Positions

Tanner’s public statements and legislative record reflect a consistent emphasis on fiscal restraint and limited government. Upon his JFAC appointment, he stated: “Every dollar appropriated represents money trusted to us by working Idahoans. That trust demands discipline, accountability, and a firm commitment to spend only what is necessary — and nothing more,” as quoted by KTVB. During his first term, Tanner worked on efforts to trim the budget for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, according to the Gem State Chronicle’s analysis of the 2024 Freedom Index.

On criminal justice, Tanner co-sponsored House Bill 515 in 2024, a bill that would have expanded the death penalty to certain sex crimes against children under the age of 12. As reported by The Spokesman-Review, Tanner and co-sponsor Rep. Bruce Skaug acknowledged the bill was inconsistent with existing Supreme Court precedent but expressed support for using it as a vehicle to challenge that precedent. On the House floor, Tanner stated: “Idaho needs to be like Florida and lead out in this and go, ‘We’re here to protect these kids.'” The bill passed the Idaho House.

On economic issues, Tanner expressed concern during a 2024 legislative debate about proposed rate increases, stating: “We know we’re in a recessionary time. I’m just wondering if this is the time to provide those rate increases,” as noted in the Idaho Voter Guide’s profile of Tanner. His campaign website outlines support for the Second Amendment and constitutional governance, as published on votejoshtanner.com.

On public education, Tanner stated in earlier campaign materials that he supports high academic standards and teacher retention, and that he understands education priorities based on his experience as a parent of children in Idaho public schools, per his BallotReady profile.

Political Alignment

Josh Tanner appears aligned with the conservative activist wing of Idaho Republican politics. His Idaho Freedom Foundation Freedom Index score for the 2024 session was 90.0%, placing him well above the legislative median, as documented by the Gem State Chronicle. The 2025 IFF Freedom Index report listed Tanner among the legislators who averaged 90% or above on the combined Freedom and Spending indices, as published in the 2025 Idaho Freedom Index Report. He received an endorsement from Idaho Freedom PAC in the 2024 cycle, as noted by the Idaho Voter Guide. Idaho Freedom PAC is the campaign arm of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, an organization representing the activist conservative wing of Idaho Republican politics. These documented affiliations and scores place Tanner in the “Conservative Activist” range under the classification framework applicable to Idaho’s political context, though his current role as JFAC co-chair — a position associated with the establishment leadership structure under Speaker Moyle — introduces institutional crosscurrents. No documented ties to explicitly Christian nationalist organizations or Idaho Freedom Caucus membership were found during research.

Campaign and Endorsements

Tanner’s 2024 campaign was endorsed by Idaho Freedom PAC, as documented by the Idaho Voter Guide. His campaign website lists fiscal accountability, constitutional governance, and Second Amendment rights as primary themes. In October 2024, Tanner held a fundraising event through Idaho Summit PAC featuring U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher and former U.S. Senator Larry Craig, as listed on votejoshtanner.com. No additional organizational endorsements for the 2026 election cycle had been publicly reported as of the date of this profile.

FAQ

Who is Josh Tanner in Idaho politics? Josh Tanner is a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives representing District 14, Seat B, based in Eagle. He is currently serving his second term and chairs the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee as the House co-chair.

What district does Josh Tanner represent? Tanner represents Idaho House District 14, Seat B, which covers the Eagle area in Ada County.

Is Josh Tanner an incumbent? Yes. Tanner was first elected in 2022 and reelected in 2024. He is seeking his third term in the 2026 election cycle.

What committees does Josh Tanner serve on? Tanner currently serves as House co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) and is a member of the Resources and Conservation Committee, as listed on the Idaho Legislature’s JFAC page.

What is Josh Tanner’s Idaho Freedom Foundation score? Tanner scored 90.0% on the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s Freedom Index in the 2024 session and was listed among legislators averaging 90% or above in 2025, according to the 2025 Idaho Freedom Index Report.

Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated April 2026. This profile will be updated as additional information becomes available.