Idaho General Election · November 3, 2026Find polling place
Democrat

Marty Rotz-Kilhefner

Marty Rotz-Kilhefner

Idaho Senate, District 35

Campaign website:Campaign Website
Facebook:Campaign Facebook Page
City:Fish Haven

Marty Rotz Kilhefner: Democratic Nominee for Idaho Senate District 35

Marty Rotz Kilhefner, whose legal name is Martha Louise Rotz-Kilhefner, won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary for Idaho Senate District 35 without opposition, receiving 847 votes, according to certified Idaho Secretary of State results. She faces six-term Republican incumbent Sen. Mark Harris in the November 3, 2026 general election. This is her first campaign for public office; Idaho Secretary of State records show no prior electoral history under her name.

Background

Rotz Kilhefner lives in Fish Haven, in Bear Lake County, with her husband, Bruce, according to her campaign website. She wrote: "Bruce and I grew up in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. We moved to Idaho three years ago and fell in love with this beautiful state... We have two sons and two grandsons." She is a retired nurse, writing: "I am a retired nurse with a BSN degree. I worked as a nurse for over 4 decades in many different areas of nursing. My passion for helping people has guided my decision to run for Idaho Legislature." She serves as the Bear Lake County Democratic Party's committeewoman, according to the Idaho Democratic Party, while her husband chairs the county party.

Platform

On her campaign website, Rotz Kilhefner wrote: "I believe in Protecting women's healthcare, strengthening PUBLIC schools, caring for our environment, and Treating Every person with dignity and respect." Her site lists her platform, headlined "Respect," as built around four planks: women's health care rights, public schools, the environment, and "everyone regardless of race, religion, sexual identity or legal status."

Campaign Finance

Rotz Kilhefner's 2026 campaign finance filings with the Idaho Secretary of State's Sunshine portal show a beginning cash balance of $3,734.67, total contributions of $3,673.62, $3,000.00 in loans received, and total expenditures of $3,585.11, leaving an ending cash balance of $3,088.51 and $3,000.00 in outstanding debt. Her largest contributor is the Bonneville County Democratic Central Committee ($1,000.00), followed by Paige Messerly ($300.00), Jay and Lillas Ipsen ($250.00 each), and $240.52 contributions from Andrew Rotz, Diane Glover, and Duane Irwin.

Sources

Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated September 28, 2026. This profile will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Frequently asked questions

What office is Marty Rotz Kilhefner running for?
Idaho Senate District 35, in the November 3, 2026 general election. She is the Democratic nominee.
Who is her opponent?
Six-term Republican incumbent Sen. Mark Harris, the Senate's Assistant Majority Leader.
Did Rotz Kilhefner face a primary opponent?
No. She ran unopposed in the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary and received 847 votes, per certified Idaho Secretary of State results.
Has Rotz Kilhefner held elected office before?
No. This is her first campaign for public office.
What is Rotz Kilhefner's professional background?
She is a retired nurse who spent more than four decades in nursing before moving to Idaho about three years ago.
Has Rotz Kilhefner reported her campaign finances?
Yes. Her 2026 Idaho Sunshine filing shows $3,673.62 in total contributions and $3,585.11 in expenditures, with an ending cash balance of $3,088.51 and $3,000.00 in outstanding debt.

Also on the ballot in District 35

Every candidate for the State Senate and both House seats in this district. See the full District 35 page.