Steve Tanner

Steve Tanner: Idaho Republican Incumbent for House District 13B

Steve Tanner is a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives serving District 13B, which covers portions of Nampa in Canyon County. Tanner assumed office on December 1, 2024, after winning both the Republican primary and the general election that year. He is currently seeking re-election in the May 2026 primary.

2024 Primary Election Results
Tanner 2,205 votes / Wroten 1,752 votes / Henry 886 votes

2024 General Elections Results
Tanner 17,124 votes

Background

Steve Tanner was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and raised in a military family. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from California State University, Long Beach, a Master of Divinity from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, and is completing a Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling from Liberty University. Idaho State Legislature He spent most of his adult life in California, working as a data analyst and programmer for companies including AT&T, Latham & Watkins, Countrywide, Bank of America, and Blue Cross of Idaho. Stevetanner4idaho

Tanner planted and pastored a church for five and a half years in Simi Valley, California, where he developed an interest in mental health challenges. Stevetanner4idaho He and his wife Kathy relocated to Idaho approximately nine years ago. Stevetanner4idaho According to his iVoterGuide profile, Tanner’s organizational affiliations include The Well Christian Fellowship, where he serves as a church planter and pastor, and the Canyon County Republican Party. iVoterGuideBefore running for the legislature, he became involved as a Republican precinct committeeman in District 13 after relocating to Idaho. Idahovoters

Political Career

Steve Tanner defeated incumbent Kenny Wroten and challenger Amy Henry in the Republican primary for Idaho House District 13B on May 21, 2024, receiving 2,205 votes to Wroten’s 1,752. Ballotpedia He went on to win the November 2024 general election and assumed office on December 1, 2024. Ballotpedia

Tanner currently serves on the House committees on Commerce and Human Resources, Education, and Environment, Energy and Technology. Idaho State Legislature

On his campaign website, Tanner states that he introduced three bills in his freshman session and all three were signed into law in 2025. Stevetanner4idaho Two of those bills are documented in public records. Tanner co-sponsored House Bill 472, which prevents businesses and government entities from denying service to individuals who decline certain medical care, such as vaccines. Wikipedia He also co-sponsored a bill with Rep. Dale Hawkins of Fernwood that would have required Idaho schools to document the immigration status of students. That bill was pulled from the committee agenda the day it was scheduled to be heard, after sponsors determined it lacked sufficient support. Idaho Capital Sun

Policy Positions

Tanner has publicly stated positions on several policy areas through his campaign website, candidate questionnaires, and legislative activity.

On education, Tanner has stated on his campaign website that he supports school choice as a mechanism to introduce competition among education options, while also expressing support for public schools. Stevetanner4idaho

On medical policy, his co-sponsorship of House Bill 472 reflects a position against government and employer mandates for vaccines and other medical interventions. Wikipedia

On immigration, his legislative record from the 2025 session reflects interest in tracking student immigration status in public schools, though that bill did not advance through committee. Idaho Capital Sun

In a 2024 candidate questionnaire published by iVoterGuide, Tanner stated that abortion should be permitted only when the mother’s life is in danger and there is no chance for the baby to survive, that abortion providers including Planned Parenthood should not receive taxpayer funds, and that biological males should not be permitted to participate in women’s sports or occupy spaces designated for biological women. On energy, he indicated support for fossil fuels, hydropower, and nuclear energy as primary sources, and expressed concern that stricter environmental regulations hurt jobs and undermine energy independence. iVoterGuide

On the question of Israel, Tanner’s iVoterGuide response cited Romans 11:28-29 and Genesis 12:1-3 as the basis for his position of support. iVoterGuide

On his campaign website, Tanner has stated that he voted consistently according to Republican platform values during his freshman session. Stevetanner4idaho

Political Alignment

Steve Tanner appears aligned with the conservative activist wing of Idaho Republican politics, supported by several documented indicators.

Tanner received an endorsement from Idaho Freedom PAC, the campaign affiliate of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, ahead of the 2024 Republican primary. Idahovoters His 2024 iVoterGuide profile also lists endorsements or support from Stop Idaho RINOs PAC, Think Liberty Idaho PAC, and the Idaho Freedom PAC, along with associations with individual legislators including Sen. Brian Lenney, Rep. Tammy Nichols, and Rep. Lucas Cayler iVoterGuide — figures associated with the activist wing of the Idaho GOP.

The Freedom Index, a legislative scorecard maintained by a separate organization, lists Tanner as having a 100% score for the 2025 session. Freedomindex

On his campaign website, Tanner states explicitly that he “voted consistently according to Republican platform values” Stevetanner4idaho — a framing that mainstream Idaho Republican legislators rarely use to describe their own records. Taken together with his endorsements from Idaho Freedom PAC, Stop Idaho RINOs PAC, and Think Liberty Idaho PAC, and his perfect score on the Freedom Index, the available evidence places Tanner in the Conservative Activist category within Idaho’s political context.

Campaign and Endorsements

In the 2024 primary, Tanner was endorsed by Idaho Freedom PAC, the campaign arm of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. Idahovoters He also received support from Stop Idaho RINOs PAC and Think Liberty Idaho PAC. iVoterGuide No mainstream business or law enforcement organizational endorsements have been publicly reported. Tanner has declared candidacy for the 2026 Republican primary and, as of April 2026, has not completed Ballotpedia’s candidate survey for that race.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Steve Tanner, Idaho legislator? Steve Tanner is a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives representing District 13B, which covers part of Nampa. He assumed office in December 2024 after defeating incumbent Kenny Wroten in the Republican primary.

What district does Steve Tanner represent? Tanner represents House District 13, Seat B, in Canyon County, Idaho.

Is Steve Tanner an incumbent or challenger in 2026? Tanner is an incumbent seeking re-election in the May 2026 Republican primary.

What committees does Steve Tanner serve on? According to his Idaho Legislature member profile, Tanner serves on the House committees on Commerce and Human Resources, Education, and Environment, Energy and Technology.

What bills has Steve Tanner sponsored? In his first legislative session in 2025, Tanner co-sponsored House Bill 472, which restricts mandates related to vaccines and medical interventions, and introduced a bill to document the immigration status of public school students, which did not receive a committee hearing. His campaign website states that three bills he introduced during the 2025 session were signed into law.

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