Paul Sand
Governor
Paul Sand, Libertarian candidate for Governor of Idaho
Paul Sand is the Libertarian candidate for Governor of Idaho in the November 3, 2026 general election. He filed on February 23, 2026, and won the May 19 Libertarian primary with 523 votes (57.16%) to 392 (42.84%) for Melissa-Sue Robinson, according to the Idaho Secretary of State's certified results. This is his second run for governor.
Previous campaigns
In 2022, Sand won the Libertarian primary for governor over John Dionne Jr., 427 votes to 282. In the November 8, 2022 general election he finished fourth of six candidates with 6,714 votes, or 1.1 percent, according to the Idaho Secretary of State's 2022 canvass.
Background
Sand lives in White Bird, a community of about 80 residents southeast of Lewiston. The Idaho Press describes him as a retired computer software engineer who operates the Sandcastle Antiques shop in White Bird. He served on the White Bird City Council from 2007 to 2017.
The Capital Press reported in 2022 that he grew up in Golden Valley, Minnesota, and studied architecture at the University of Minnesota.
The county-first plan
Sand's campaign website says: "If elected, I want to invert the political system in Idaho and make counties and local government the top layer."
In a statement published by 9B News on March 16, 2026, Sand proposed that one or more counties could form autonomous federations with two-thirds voter approval. He wrote: "The state legislature would need to pass a law authorizing counties to govern themselves and form alliances with other counties." He also wrote: "This does not require any changes in the federal or state constitution."
His website says: "The only statewide offices should be transportation/highways/road and fuel taxes, the state Attorney General, and the Secretary of State."
Taxes
The Idaho Press reported that Sand wants income taxes and sales taxes eliminated entirely. It reported that he would keep property taxes to fund local governments and public services.
Other positions, in his words
On public lands, his website says: "I am opposed to any efforts to privatize our public lands. Idaho is not for sale."
On immigration, it says: "All illegal immigrants need to be sent home."
On foreign aid, it says: "I am opposed to sending any money and weapons to any country."
On abortion, his 2026 campaign website says: "Abortion, except to save the life of the mother, should be illegal." His campaign website as archived on September 27, 2022 said: "I support the woman's right to decide" and "I oppose the government's right to decide".
Party relationship
His campaign website says: "Politics is the problem, not the solution. I am opposed to all political parties, including Libertarians." It also says: "My campaign is not endorsed, supported or even recognized by the Libertarian Party of Idaho or the National Libertarian Party."
Campaign finance
His website says: "I am not accepting any donations from individuals or businesses. I have no money of my own, so I will be relying on free press and word of mouth to get my message out."
The Idaho Secretary of State's Sunshine campaign finance system shows $310.00 in contributions for the 2026 cycle through his August report, all from Sand himself on March 1, 2026. It shows $308.50 in expenditures and $1.50 in cash on hand.
Sources
- Paul Sand campaign website, platform statements, party statement and donations statement
- Paul Sand campaign website, archived September 27, 2022, his 2022 abortion statement
- Idaho Press, July 23, 2026, White Bird residence, business, council service, second run and tax positions
- 9B News, March 16, 2026, his statement on the county federation plan
- Capital Press, October 3, 2022, upbringing and education
- Idaho Secretary of State, May 2026 certified results, the Libertarian primary vote
- Idaho Secretary of State, 2022 election canvass, the 2022 governor's race vote
- Idaho Sunshine, 2026 campaign finance totals
Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated October 2, 2026. This profile will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Frequently asked questions
- What office is Paul Sand running for?
- He is the Libertarian candidate for Governor of Idaho in the November 3, 2026 general election.
- Did Paul Sand win the Libertarian primary?
- Yes. He won the May 19, 2026 Libertarian primary with 523 votes to 392 for Melissa-Sue Robinson, according to the certified results.
- Has Paul Sand run for governor before?
- Yes. In 2022 he won the Libertarian primary 427 to 282 over John Dionne Jr. and finished fourth in the general election with 6,714 votes.
- Where does Paul Sand live?
- He lives in White Bird, a community of about 80 residents southeast of Lewiston, where the Idaho Press says he operates the Sandcastle Antiques shop.
- What would Paul Sand change about Idaho government?
- His website says he wants counties and local government to be the top layer of government. He says the only statewide offices should be transportation, the Attorney General and the Secretary of State.
- What is Paul Sand's tax plan?
- The Idaho Press reported that he wants income taxes and sales taxes eliminated entirely. It reported that he would keep property taxes to fund local governments and public services.
- Does the Libertarian Party support Paul Sand's campaign?
- His website says his campaign is "not endorsed, supported or even recognized by the Libertarian Party of Idaho or the National Libertarian Party." Idaho Secretary of State filings list him as a Libertarian.
- How much money has Paul Sand's campaign raised?
- Idaho Sunshine shows $310.00 in contributions for 2026 through his August report, all from Sand himself, with $308.50 spent and $1.50 in cash on hand.