Michael G. Collins

Michael G. Collins: Idaho Republican Candidate for House District 7A

Michael G. Collins is a Republican challenger running for the Idaho House of Representatives in District 7A in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary. Collins, of Lewiston, is challenging incumbent Rep. Kyle Harris in a race covering Idaho, Adams, and a portion of Nez Perce counties in north-central Idaho.

Background

Michael G. Collins is a Lewiston resident who earned a bachelor’s degree from Boise State University, a master’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Utah, and a doctorate in sport science from the University of Idaho, according to his Lewis-Clark State College faculty profile. He has served as head cross country and track and field coach at Lewis-Clark State College since 1997 and holds a faculty position at the institution. Collins is also an ordained minister, the founder of the Confluence Elite Track Program, and a published author, as detailed on his LCSC athletics staff page. He co-owns Aces Auctions, a consignment and estate sales business in Lewiston. Collins has served on the board of Regional Head Start and was appointed by the Idaho Attorney General to the Lewis-Clark Valley Healthcare Foundation board, per his LinkedIn profile. He and his wife Tracy, who serves as head athletic trainer at LCSC, have two daughters.

Collins served on the Lewiston City Council beginning in 2014 and was elevated to mayor in January 2018, when city council members selected him to fill the seat vacated by Mayor Jim Kleeburg. He had served as mayor pro tem prior to that appointment. Collins served on the Lewiston City Council for eight years before stepping back from elected office.

Political Career

Collins has not previously held state legislative office. His prior elected service was at the municipal level, where he represented Lewiston on the city council and later as mayor. His return to electoral politics after a break from public office was covered by the Lewiston Tribune, which reported his filing for the District 7A Republican primary in February 2026.

Policy Positions

Collins has identified three primary issues in his campaign. On transgender athletes in sports, he has stated opposition to transgender women competing in women’s athletic categories. As a coach of both men’s and women’s teams and the father of two female athletes, Collins told the Lewiston Tribune that “quite bluntly men don’t belong in women’s sports” and that policies affecting gender identity in facilities such as bathrooms should follow biological sex.

On immigration, Collins has stated support for border enforcement and deportation of undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes, while acknowledging the agricultural industry’s reliance on migrant labor. Collins, who grew up on a farm in Parma, told the Lewiston Tribune that he believes most undocumented immigrants are not dangerous but that enforcement must treat all equally under the law.

On housing affordability, Collins has identified the cost of homeownership as a central concern. He has called for reducing property taxes and cutting regulations that slow residential construction, with the goal of increasing housing supply and market competition. On school choice, Collins told the Lewiston Tribune that while the $50 million private school tax credit program enacted in 2025 may work in some circumstances, it should be reconsidered if it harms public schools. “If this is hurting our public institutions right now, it needs to be changed,” he said.

On Medicaid and state services, Collins has said education funding, Medicaid, and ongoing budget challenges are among his top legislative priorities, and that many constituents have expressed concern about potential cuts to services for vulnerable populations. Collins has also cited Idaho’s timber industry as an area with economic growth potential, calling for expanded cooperation between state and federal agencies to increase timber sales.

Political Alignment

Collins is a Traditional Conservative Republican. His campaign positions on immigration enforcement, opposition to transgender athletes in women’s sports, and skepticism toward the private school tax credit program reflect conservative Republican governance without documented ties to activist organizations. His endorsement from the Lewiston Firefighters Local 1773 PAC, his eight years of municipal service on the Lewiston City Council, and his career in public higher education are consistent with that classification. No documented ties to the Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho Freedom Caucus, or comparable activist organizations were identified in research.

Campaign and Endorsements

Collins announced his candidacy in February 2026 and faces incumbent Rep. Kyle Harris, who is aligned with the Idaho Freedom Caucus, in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary, as reported by Idaho Education News. The Lewiston Firefighters Local 1773 PAC endorsed Collins, citing his record of support for first responders and public safety funding during his time on the city council. Democrat Larry Nostrant is running in the Democratic primary for the general election seat. The general election is November 3, 2026.

FAQ

Who is Michael G. Collins Idaho? Michael G. Collins is a Lewiston Republican and former Lewiston mayor and city council member running for the Idaho House of Representatives in District 7A in the May 2026 primary. He is also a longtime cross country and track coach at Lewis-Clark State College.

What district is Michael Collins running in? Collins is running in Idaho House District 7A, which covers Idaho, Adams, and a portion of Nez Perce counties in north-central Idaho.

Is Michael Collins an incumbent? No. Collins is a challenger. He has not previously held state legislative office, though he served on the Lewiston City Council from 2014 and as mayor of Lewiston beginning in 2018.

What are Michael Collins’ political positions? Collins has focused his campaign on opposition to transgender athletes in women’s sports, immigration enforcement, and reducing housing costs through property tax relief and regulatory reform. He has also expressed support for protecting Medicaid and public services for vulnerable populations.

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