Kyle N. Harris

Kyle Harris: Idaho House District 7, Seat A, on the 2026 ballot

Kyle Harris is the Republican incumbent state representative for Idaho House District 7, Seat A, and his name appears on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. He faces Democrat Larry Nostrant, who ran unopposed in his primary and received 1,284 votes. Harris won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary with 4,841 votes, or 57.03 percent, over Michael G. Collins, who took 3,647 votes, or 42.97 percent, a result certified by the Idaho Secretary of State.

Background

Harris owns Modern Electric, an electrical contracting business, according to the Lewiston Tribune's May 2024 coverage of the race. He moved from Kent, Washington, to Orofino, Idaho, in 2010, and later to Lewiston, the Tribune reported. He is married with two children, according to his campaign website. Before the 2024 election cycle, he served as a Republican precinct committeeperson for Precinct 6 in Nez Perce County, per the Tribune.

In that 2024 interview, he described himself plainly: "I'm just a regular blue-collar dude."

First election, 2024

Harris first won the seat in 2024, after Rep. Mike Kingsley announced he would not seek reelection. In the May 21, 2024 Republican primary, Harris defeated Jim Chmelik 3,730 votes (51.6 percent) to 3,497 (48.4 percent), according to the Idaho Secretary of State elections database. In the November 5, 2024 general election, he defeated Democrat Vickie Nostrant 19,797 votes (75.4 percent) to 6,457 (24.6 percent).

First-term committee work and platform

In his first session, Harris sat on three committees: Business, Education, and Transportation and Defense. On his campaign site he writes that he "worked on legislation that gave a voice back to parents at school council meetings and co-sponsored a constitutional amendment that will make English the official language of Idaho."

His Idaho Republican Party candidate questionnaire states his priorities in his own words: "I believe in limited government, less taxes, and protecting our rights. I have fought hard against illegal immigration and I have fought hard to protect women and girls private spaces." On his campaign site he identifies himself this way: "I continue to be a proud member of the Idaho Freedom Caucus."

Second session: budget committee and party post

Harris's second session brought two changes in role. He was appointed to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, the legislature's budget-writing panel, for 2026, and he moved off Education while continuing to serve on Business and Transportation and Defense, according to the Idaho Legislature's member information. On his campaign site, he writes that he was "switched from education to the Joint Finance and Appropriation Committee where I was able to help cut government spending 4% in 2026 and 5% in 2027."

The Idaho GOP also named him its legislative liaison to the House, in a February 2, 2026 press release. Chairwoman Dorothy Moon said in the release: "Rep. Harris has quickly proven himself as a trusted conservative voice with the ability to get things done."

JFAC and the National Guard tuition vote

One vote in his first months on JFAC drew attention. On February 20, 2026, the committee considered a request to refund $190,900 in tuition assistance for Idaho National Guard members under the State Education Assistance Program, which offers up to $8,000 for tuition and fees at Idaho institutions. Harris moved to hold the budget bill in committee, citing incomplete information.

"It's not that I don't support educating our troops," Harris said, according to Idaho Ed News. "But making budgetary decisions without the information is not the proper thing to do."

Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, forced an explicit vote on the tuition funding with a competing motion, which failed 7-11. Harris's motion to hold the budget passed 11-7, and the committee held the request subject to call of the chair, meaning it could be brought back later in the session.

House Bill 728

Harris's most concrete legislative product in 2026 came from a partnership across the aisle. He co-sponsored House Bill 728 with Democratic Rep. Monica Church of Boise, a bill both had worked on for two years, according to Idaho Ed News. The bill revises state rules on educational staff, teachers, and certificates, defining administrative and instructional roles so state funding and accountability can track school positions consistently.

The bill passed the House 70-0-0 on February 25, 2026, and the Senate as amended 32-1-2 on March 23. The House concurred in the Senate's changes 67-0-3, and the Governor signed it March 27, 2026, effective July 1, 2026, according to the bill's legislative history.

Sources

• Idaho Secretary of State, certified May 19, 2026 primary results
• Idaho Secretary of State elections database, certified 2024 primary and general election results
• Lewiston Tribune, May 2024 candidate profile
• Kyle Harris campaign site, About page
• Idaho Republican Party, candidate biography and questionnaire
• Idaho Republican Party, February 2, 2026 press release
• Idaho Ed News, February 20, 2026 statehouse roundup
• Idaho State Legislature, House Bill 728 legislative history