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Not on the November 3, 2026 ballot

Richard Gayler ran in the 2026 Idaho Democratic primary for State Senator District 6 and did not advance to the general election, receiving 1,224 votes (47.7%). Source: certified results from the Idaho Secretary of State. See every 2026 primary result.

Democrat

Richard Gayler

Richard Gayler

2026 Primary Candidate — Idaho Senate District 6

Campaign website:Campaign Website
Phone:(208) 843-3631
Email:gowithgayler@gmail.com
Facebook:Campaign Facebook Page
Campaign finance:Campaign Finance

Richard Gayler: Democratic primary candidate for Idaho Senate District 6

Richard Gayler, a retired federal probation officer from Moscow, ran in the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary for Idaho Senate District 6. He received 1,224 votes, or 47.66 percent, and lost to Robin Weldy, who received 1,344 votes, or 52.34 percent, according to certified results from the Idaho Secretary of State. Gayler is not on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. Weldy faces Republican Dan Foreman, who holds the seat, in the general election.

Background

Gayler served for many years as a U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer for the District of Idaho. His candidate statement says the work covered Lewis, Idaho, Benewah, Latah, Nez Perce and Clearwater counties. The Lewiston Tribune describes him as retired from a long career as a probation officer and high school coach in Moscow, Pullman and Lewiston.

In his candidate statement, Gayler says he has coached youth sports since the 1980s. The Nez Perce County Democratic Party's announcement of his candidacy said he was running as a moderate Democrat.

Campaign priorities

Gayler's candidate statement, published by the Idaho County Free Press on April 29, 2026, lists three priorities:

  • Education, including giving schools the resources, support and respect they deserve.
  • Local economies, including small businesses, agriculture and responsible growth.
  • Idaho's heritage and natural resources, including transportation, waterways and public lands.

The statement also says, "I promise to be accessible, transparent, and accountable."

The Lewiston Tribune reported on May 9, 2026 that House Bill 93 motivated Gayler to run. HB 93 created a state tax credit for families' private education, homeschooling or tutoring costs. Gayler told the paper he opposes public dollars going to church-run schools. The paper also reported that he supports a local-option tax for a Latah County jail and a two-term limit for Idaho legislators.

Sources

Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated September 29, 2026. This profile will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Frequently asked questions

Did Richard Gayler win the 2026 Democratic primary for Idaho Senate District 6?
No. Gayler received 1,224 votes, or 47.66 percent, and Robin Weldy received 1,344 votes, or 52.34 percent, in the May 19, 2026 primary, according to certified results from the Idaho Secretary of State.
Is Richard Gayler on the November 3, 2026 ballot?
No. Robin Weldy won the Democratic primary and is the Democratic candidate for Senate District 6 on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot, where she faces Republican Dan Foreman.
What did Richard Gayler do for a living?
He served as a U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer for the District of Idaho. The Lewiston Tribune describes him as retired from a long career as a probation officer and high school coach in Moscow, Pullman and Lewiston.
Where does Richard Gayler live?
Pullman Radio's February 2026 report on his candidacy filing identified him as a Moscow Democrat. His candidate statement says the district is the place he calls home, where his roots run deep and his family has grown.
What were Richard Gayler's campaign priorities?
His candidate statement lists education, local economies including small businesses and agriculture, and Idaho's heritage and natural resources, including transportation, waterways and public lands.
What position did Gayler take on House Bill 93?
He told the Lewiston Tribune that HB 93, which created a state tax credit for private education, homeschooling or tutoring costs, motivated him to run. He said he opposes public dollars going to church-run schools.