Kevin Marsh

Kevin Marsh: Idaho Democratic Candidate for House District 26B

Kevin Marsh is a Democrat running for the Idaho House of Representatives in House District 26B, which covers Blaine, Lincoln, and Jerome counties. He lives near Bellevue in Blaine County with his wife, Erika. The seat is currently held by Republican Jack Nelsen, who announced in February 2026 that he will not seek re-election, as reported by the Idaho Mountain Express. Marsh will face Republican Lyle Johnstone in the November 3, 2026 general election.

Background

Marsh earned a B.A. from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. in History from Washington State University, according to his published academic profile. He taught American, Idaho, and environmental history at Idaho State University in Pocatello for more than two decades, eventually serving as chair of the history department. He also taught at Boise State University, the University of Idaho, and Washington State University. Earlier in his career, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service for roughly a decade in Washington State, including as a wildland firefighter and ranger, as described on his campaign website. He and Erika now operate Daisy’s Farm south of Bellevue, growing produce and hay for local markets.

Marsh is the author of Drawing Lines in the Forest: Creating Wilderness Areas in the Pacific Northwest, published in 2007 by the University of Washington Press. He co-authored the Idaho State Historical Society’s centennial publication, Idaho: The Heroic Journey, and served as editor of Idaho Yesterdays, the state history journal, beginning in 2008. In 2016, he served as the state scholar for the Smithsonian’s WaterWays traveling exhibit, delivering keynote addresses on Idaho water history in Ketchum, Burley, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls, as noted on his campaign biography. Idaho State University recognized him with its Outstanding Public Service Award on two occasions. His community involvement has included volunteer work with the Community Library, the Blaine County Trails Coalition, the Idaho Humanities Council, the Idaho State Historical Society, the Trailing of the Sheep festival, the Boulder Mountain Tour, and the Pocatello Branch of the NAACP, according to his campaign biography. He also served two terms on the Idaho Humanities Council board.

Political Career

Marsh has not previously held elected office. This is his first candidacy for public office.

Policy Positions

On natural resources, Marsh has stated that water is essential to both the agricultural and tourism economies of District 26 and that he will support policies to preserve water rights and maintain the health of rivers and aquifers. He has also stated his intent to protect public lands as the foundation of the district’s recreational economy and as the source of annual irrigation water storage, as outlined on his campaign issues page. On education, Marsh has called for the legislature to provide teachers with resources and trust, spanning pre-K through universities and vocational training, which he describes as a strong return on public investment.

On infrastructure, he has emphasized transportation needs within the large district and pledged to enforce transparency from state agencies. On economic governance, Marsh has stated that the current legislative majority is practicing financial mismanagement, reducing individual freedoms, and undermining local control, and he has called for a legislature focused on cost of living, water, education, and infrastructure rather than ideological conflict. His background as a Forest Service employee and environmental historian informs his public lands positions. In a November 2021 public lecture at the College of Southern Idaho, he presented on the historical context for proposed removal of the Lower Snake River dams, a topic central to water management and salmon restoration debates in Idaho.

Political Alignment

Marsh is running as a Democrat and is aligned with the Moderate Democrat classification. His campaign emphasizes public land protection, education investment, water rights, and rural economic stability. He has not expressed positions associated with progressive activist causes such as social justice policy, expanded social programs, or labor organizing. His campaign rhetoric is notably anti-partisan, framing the race as a matter of competence and local service rather than ideological identity. He has, however, directly criticized the Republican-controlled legislature for financial mismanagement and reducing individual freedoms, placing him clearly within the Democratic camp while positioning himself toward the moderate end of that spectrum. His policy priorities, centered on water, land, schools, and infrastructure, are consistent with the positioning of competitive Idaho Democrats in rural swing districts.

Campaign and Endorsements

As of April 2026, no organizational endorsements have been publicly reported for Marsh’s campaign.

FAQ

Who is Kevin Marsh? Kevin Marsh is a Democrat running for the Idaho House of Representatives in District 26B in 2026. He is a former Idaho State University history professor, farmer, and Forest Service veteran who lives near Bellevue in Blaine County.

What district is Kevin Marsh running in? Marsh is running in Idaho House District 26B, which covers Blaine, Jerome, and Lincoln counties.

Is Kevin Marsh an incumbent or challenger? Marsh is a challenger. He has not previously held elected office.

What are Kevin Marsh’s political positions? Marsh has publicly stated priorities around protecting public lands and water rights, increasing education funding and teacher support, improving rural infrastructure, and opposing what he characterizes as financial mismanagement by the Republican-controlled legislature.

What is Kevin Marsh’s professional background? Marsh holds a Ph.D. in History from Washington State University and taught at Idaho State University for more than two decades. He is the author of Drawing Lines in the Forest, a scholarly work on Pacific Northwest wilderness history, and previously worked for the U.S. Forest Service. He currently operates Daisy’s Farm near Bellevue with his wife, Erika.

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