Mary Kaufman

Mary Kaufman: Idaho Democratic Candidate for House District 35B

Mary Kaufman is a Democratic candidate running for Idaho House District 35B in the 2026 general election. Kaufman is challenging Republican incumbent Josh Wheeler in a Caribou County district that covers the high-desert agricultural communities of southeastern Idaho. While limited biographical information about Kaufman is publicly available, her candidacy gives District 35B voters a choice on the November ballot.

Josh Wheeler: The Incumbent She Would Replace

Josh Wheeler, the Republican incumbent, has represented District 35B since winning the 2022 primary by defeating far-right incumbent Chad Christensen, a significant departure from the IFF network’s agenda. Wheeler was born and raised in Ammon, holds a BYU Construction Management degree, earned an MBA from Idaho State University, and co-owns Wheeler Electric with his father, a family electrical contracting business. His approach to the district has been practical and agriculture-focused rather than ideological.

Wheeler’s defeat of Christensen, a Freedom Caucus member who had called the National School Boards Association ‘communist/Marxist’ and aligned himself with the Young Americans for Liberty/Make Liberty Win network, represented the district’s preference for a working, results-oriented conservative over a far-right ideologue. His 2026 race draws no significant far-right primary challenge, suggesting the district is satisfied with his governance approach.

Caribou County and District 35B

House District 35B covers rural Caribou County, a high-desert agricultural community in southeastern Idaho’s phosphate mining and grain farming region. Soda Springs, the Caribou County seat, sits at 5,800 feet elevation on the Bear River Plateau. The region’s economy centers on agriculture, phosphate mining (one of the largest phosphate mining regions in the United States), and the rural communities that support those industries. Water rights, rural school funding, and maintaining the infrastructure that supports mining and farming define the district’s legislative priorities.

Democrats in Rural Idaho

Democratic candidates in Caribou County face significant electoral headwinds, the district is among Idaho’s most reliably Republican. But maintaining a contested general election serves multiple democratic functions: it ensures voters have a choice, keeps Republicans accountable to a broader electorate, and builds party organizational capacity for future cycles. Kaufman’s candidacy represents that commitment.

FAQ Who is Mary Kaufman? Mary Kaufman is a Democratic candidate for Idaho House District 35B (Caribou County), challenging Republican incumbent Josh Wheeler in the November 2026 general election. Limited public biographical information is available about her background and platform.

Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated April 2026.