Russell Spencer

Russell "Russ" Spencer is a Republican attorney, Idaho Army National Guard Captain, and first-time legislative candidate from Meridian running for Idaho State Senate District 20. The district covers Meridian and western Ada County. He faces incumbent Sen. Josh Keyser and challenger Richard Marsh in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary.

Background

Spencer, 44, is a seventh-generation Idahoan raised in the Treasure Valley. He served a church mission in Guatemala and earned Eagle Scout. He graduated from Brigham Young University and earned his Juris Doctor from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, then clerked for a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He serves as a Captain in the Idaho Army National Guard and on the boards of CASA of Southwest Idaho (foster children) and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. He and his wife Debra have been married approximately 20 years and are raising five children in Meridian.

Political Career

Spencer is a first-time candidate with no prior elected experience but extensive Idaho state-government legal background. He spent eight years as an Idaho Deputy Attorney General, where he argued before the Idaho Supreme Court, briefed a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, and defended First and Second Amendment matters. He served three years as a Bonneville County prosecutor focused on violent offenders, drug traffickers, and child sex offenders, while implementing rehabilitation programs for nonviolent offenders. He most recently served as General Counsel for the Idaho Board of Medicine and other state healthcare licensing boards, where he drafted legislation and led multi-year regulatory streamlining.

Policy Positions

Spencer's top issue is housing affordability. In a KIVI candidate Q&A, he said: "Home prices have outpaced incomes, pricing the next generation out of the market and delaying family formation. We need a balanced approach — one that stabilizes home prices while growing the kind of economy that raises real wages," including increasing housing supply responsibly without lowering standards. His campaign priorities include property-tax reform, zero-based budgeting, water infrastructure investment (reservoirs and recapture technology), support for advanced energy technologies including nuclear "when it's safe, transparent, and community-focused," stronger sentencing for violent and repeat offenders paired with rehabilitation for those who turn their lives around, and protecting public-lands access. He supports parental rights in education, life issues, and First and Second Amendment protections. He has signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge.

Political Alignment

Spencer identifies as a lifelong Republican, NRA Life Member, and Federalist Society member. He frames his candidacy around "God. Family. Country." and emphasizes the legal background he says prepares him to interpret, apply, and shape Idaho law. He is endorsed by the Idaho Majority Club. Per Idaho Sunshine data, his donor list includes Idaho Dairy Industry PAC, Idaho Chooses Life, Leading Idaho PAC, Idaho's Future PAC, and Tree Top Ranches LP.

Campaign and Endorsements

Spencer is challenging Sen. Josh Keyser and Richard Marsh in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary. He is endorsed by the Idaho Majority Club and has signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge. Per Idaho Sunshine, his committee has raised approximately $11,950 from 62 unique donors. The general election is November 3, 2026.