Tanya Burgoyne

Tanya Burgoyne is a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives representing District 29 Seat B, which covers most of Pocatello, Chubbuck, and portions of Bannock County. Burgoyne was first elected in 2024, defeating Democratic incumbent Rep. Nate Roberts in the general election by approximately 5.2 percentage points (1,139 votes), and took office in December 2024. She is seeking a second term in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary against Pocatello Republican Jennifer Miles. The general election is November 3, 2026.

Background

Burgoyne, 58, was born in August 1967. She was raised in Utah and earned a liberal arts degree from Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) before moving to Pocatello after marrying her husband from the Bear Lake Valley. She is the mother of nine children, a homemaker and small-business owner, and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as described on her campaign website.

Political Career

Before her 2024 election, Burgoyne served as GOP Precinct Committee Chair for her precinct and as Bannock County State Committeewoman. She was first elected to the Idaho House in November 2024, defeating Democratic incumbent Rep. Nate Roberts by 1,139 votes, per Ballotpedia. In the 2025-2026 legislative session she serves on the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee, the Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee, and the Health and Welfare Committee.

Policy Positions

Burgoyne's campaign website frames her platform under "FAITH ☆ FAMILY ☆ FREEDOM" and emphasizes constitutional originalism, pro-life policy, Second Amendment protections, parental rights, school choice, and limited government. Her 2026 floor votes include yes on HB 516 (described in coverage as a strict anti-Idaho Education Association bill) and no on HB 776, a March 2026 bill to expedite social-worker investigations for at-risk infants introduced after the death of a 12-day-old in Nampa. Idaho Capital Sun reported her floor remarks: "I want to take a minute and represent the parents of Idaho. There are rights that are at stake here for parents. This is a loss to parental rights. This is government overreach." She has co-sponsored parental-rights legislation, including measures expanding the Parental Rights Act and bills addressing notification of parents on a minor's social or medical transition.

Political Alignment

The Idaho Freedom Foundation Freedom Index has scored Burgoyne at approximately 83.6 percent, placing her among the more conservative House Republicans on IFF metrics. She was endorsed by Idaho Freedom PAC for the 2024 cycle and has posted an Idaho Summit PAC endorsement letter on her 2026 campaign Facebook page.

Campaign and Endorsements

Burgoyne is running in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary against Pocatello Republican Jennifer Miles. Independent expenditure filings on the Idaho Sunshine portal show 2026 backing from Idaho Summit PAC totaling approximately $155. The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Nate Roberts in a rematch of the 2024 general in November.