Kevin Marsh

Kevin Marsh Irrigates With the Water He Studied for Decades

Farmers in the Wood River Valley water their crops the ordinary way, with canal water and snowmelt. Kevin Marsh's case is a little different. Before he farmed, he spent more than 25 years studying Idaho's water as a historian, researching and teaching the state's history at Idaho State University. Now he and his wife Erika run Daisy's Farm south of Bellevue, growing produce and hay for local markets, irrigating with the same resource he built a career around. When he announced his campaign in March 2026, he framed that history as the point: "I know this land, and I know what's at stake for the people who depend on it," according to his campaign site.

Marsh is the Democratic nominee for Idaho House District 26, Seat B, on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. The district covers Blaine, Lincoln, and Jerome counties. He ran unopposed in the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary, receiving 2,973 votes per certified Idaho Secretary of State results. His opponent in November is Republican Lyle Johnstone of Eden, who like Marsh ran unopposed in his own primary. Johnstone describes his campaign as an effort to "drain the Idaho Republican swamp" by representing "Idahoans, not global corporations," according to the Idaho Mountain Express.

From firefighter to Forest Service ranger to professor

Marsh's career moved through Idaho's public institutions in stages. He started as a wildland firefighter and worked as a ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, per his campaign biography. In 1997 he joined Idaho State University, where he taught American history for more than two decades, focusing on the history of Idaho and researching water in the state. He also taught at Boise State University and the University of Idaho, and was editor of the state history journal.

His scholarship produced two books: "Drawing Lines in the Forest: Creating Wilderness Areas in the Pacific Northwest," published by the University of Washington Press in 2007, and "Idaho: The Heroic Journey," co-authored with Katherine Aiken and Laura Woodworth-Ney and published by the Idaho State Historical Society in 2006. As a historian, he has given public presentations in towns across the state, including Wallace, Lewiston, Challis, Caldwell, Hailey, Boise, and Twin Falls.

In 2016, when the Smithsonian exhibit WaterWays toured Idaho, he was appointed state scholar for the tour and gave the keynote address on water in Idaho when the display reached Ketchum, Burley, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls. Idaho State University recognized him twice with its Outstanding Public Service Award, per his campaign biography.

The campaign launch

The Blaine County Democrats announced his candidacy on March 10, 2026, describing him as a farmer, retired ISU faculty member, and community leader bringing "a career of public service to the Idaho Statehouse."

Marsh put his pitch in his own words in that announcement. "I will deliver what our state needs today – politicians who work to unite, not divide, and together we will deliver common-sense solutions, not politics for individual gain," he said. "Residents of Blaine, Lincoln, and Jerome counties deserve leadership rooted in community, integrity, and respect for our shared values."

He also gave a specific answer to the question of what a legislator should actually work on: "A functional government focuses on real problems, offering practical solutions. Whether it is the cost of living, protection of our lands and much needed water supply – which is already predicted to be limited in the coming seasons – strong education, or reliable infrastructure, those are the real issues that I am committed to work on with both sides of the aisle."

What he says he would work on

Marsh's issues page lists a platform that runs from land use to tax policy. On public lands, he writes that they are "the foundation of our recreational economy" and that the mountains provide the annual water storage for irrigation. On water, he says he would promote policies to preserve water rights and the health of rivers and aquifers.

Health care takes up a full section. He opposes state restrictions on individual health care decisions, writing that medical decisions "must be left to patients and their providers." He notes that Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion and says he would look for ways to use existing resources and broad coverage to lower costs statewide.

On affordability, he supports more starter homes and workforce housing "while honoring local control," says homeowners exemptions have not kept up with rising values, and backs lowering Idaho's grocery tax, which he calls the highest in the nation. On education, he writes that the Legislature needs to give teachers resources and trust, from pre-K through universities and vocational training. Transportation infrastructure across the large three-county district rounds out his list.

Endorsements and civic record

His campaign lists six endorsements: the Idaho Education Association, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation PAC, Conservation Voters of Idaho, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Idaho Dairy Industry PAC, and Idaho Women Forward.

The volunteer record on his campaign site is long. He has worked with the Community Library, the Blaine County Trails Coalition, the Idaho Humanities Council, the Idaho State Historical Society, Trailing of the Sheep, the Boulder Mountain Tour, the Standhope Ultra Challenge, the Pocatello Rotary Club, the Pocatello Branch of the NAACP, Holy Spirit Catholic School, and the Mink Creek Nordic Center. He also runs ultramarathons and volunteers on trails near his home.

Marsh and Erika raised their son Dan in Idaho; the campaign site includes a photo of the family celebrating Dan's graduation from an Idaho public school.

Sources

• Kevin Marsh for Idaho
• About Kevin, Kevin Marsh for Idaho
• Issues, Kevin Marsh for Idaho
• Blaine County Democrats, District 26 Candidates Seat B announcement
• Idaho Mountain Express, "Idaho District 26 election takes shape"
• Idaho Secretary of State, certified May 19, 2026 primary results