Kyle N. Harris

Kyle Harris is a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives representing District 7 Seat A, which covers parts of Lewiston and Nez Perce County, plus all of Idaho County and Adams County in northern Idaho. Harris was first elected in 2024, defeating Jim Chmelik in the Republican primary with 51.6 percent after incumbent Rep. Mike Kingsley withdrew and endorsed him, and winning the November general election with 75.4 percent. He is seeking a second term in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary against former Lewiston mayor and city councilman Mike Collins. The general election is November 3, 2026.

Background

Harris, 43, was born October 1982 and moved from Kent, Washington to Orofino, Idaho in 2010 before settling in Lewiston (approximately 16 years of Idaho residence). He owns and operates Modern Electric, an electrical contracting business, and self-describes as a "regular blue-collar dude," as described on his campaign website. He is married with two children in the Lewiston School District.

Political Career

Before his 2024 election, Harris's political experience was limited to Republican precinct committeeperson for Precinct 6 in Nez Perce County. He won the 2024 Republican primary against Jim Chmelik with 51.6 percent of the vote and took office December 2024, per Ballotpedia. For the 2026 session he was appointed to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) while continuing to serve on House Business and Transportation & Defense. In February 2026 Idaho GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon named him Idaho GOP legislative liaison to the House. He is also co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation with Democratic Rep. Monica Church to improve tracking of education dollars.

Policy Positions

Harris's campaign website states he has worked to "limit government growth, lower taxes, reduce regulation, and bring accountability back to the government," and describes himself as "a proud member of the Idaho Freedom Caucus." He co-sponsored House Joint Resolution 6 making English the official state language (passed and on the November 2026 ballot) and supported Senate Bill 1198 banning DEI hiring, admissions, and required classes at public colleges and universities. On SB 1198 he stated, "DEI is no longer about diversity, equity and inclusion. It doesn't do any of that anymore, because all it does is divide, exclude and isolate people into little groups so they can be angry at each other." Lewiston Tribune coverage notes that on JFAC he favored higher revenue projections to preserve room for tax cuts, voted against Idaho National Guard tuition assistance, and pushed to cut four positions in agency consolidation proposals. He has called for school funding formula reform (criticizing the "butts in seats" model), property tax relief through valuation locks at time of purchase, and employer accountability for hiring undocumented workers. He signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge for congressional term limits. A Public Lands PAC has spent in opposition to Harris over a vote changing the appointment process for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation director, framed by critics as politicizing the role; Harris has stated, "I'm not for the selling of public lands."

Political Alignment

Harris is a documented member of the Idaho Freedom Caucus and signed the Citizens Alliance of Idaho pledge. The Idaho Freedom Foundation Freedom Index has scored him at 87.1 percent, placing him in the top tier of House Republicans on IFF metrics. The Idaho Freedom Caucus PAC has identified him as a priority re-election candidate. His 2024 endorsement from outgoing Rep. Mike Kingsley came when Kingsley simultaneously announced he would stay on as head of the Idaho Freedom Caucus PAC.

Campaign and Endorsements

Harris is running in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary against former Lewiston mayor Mike Collins. Independent expenditure filings on the Idaho Sunshine portal show 2026 backing from Idaho Summit PAC totaling approximately $618, plus more than $17,000 in supportive spending from Rep. Jordan Redman's 36-18-1 Inc. PAC. Sen. Cindy Carlson is identified among his top donors. Idaho EdNews reports that 36-18-1 Inc. has spent approximately $200,000 statewide backing 20 Republican candidates, funded primarily with a $250,000 personal seed from Rep. Redman. He is also endorsed by Idaho Freedom PAC, Citizens Alliance of Idaho, and the Nez Perce County Republican Central Committee. The general election is November 3, 2026.