W. Lane Startin

W. Lane Startin: Idaho Democratic Candidate for Senate District 25

W. Lane Startin is a Democratic candidate for Idaho State Senate District 25, which covers most of the city of Twin Falls in Twin Falls County. Startin lives in Twin Falls and is running unopposed in the May 19, 2026, Democratic primary. He will face the winner of the Republican primary between incumbent Josh Kohl and challenger Casey Swensen in the November 3, 2026, general election. This is Startin's third campaign for public office.

Background

Startin is a Twin Falls native who graduated from Twin Falls High School. He attended the College of Southern Idaho and earned a bachelor's degree from Idaho State University, per the Twin Falls County official voter pamphlet. His career is in medical technology field service, maintaining and repairing medical equipment for healthcare providers as a lead medical equipment technician. He has been active in Twin Falls County Democratic Party politics for more than a decade and serves as a Democratic precinct committeeman for Twin Falls Precinct 1.

Political Career

Startin ran for the Democratic nomination for Idaho State Treasurer in 2014. He ran for Idaho House District 25A in the 2024 general election. His 2026 Senate District 25 candidacy is his third campaign for public office. He has received support from the Twin Falls County Democratic Central Committee.

Policy Positions

Startin's documented priorities draw from his Twin Falls County voter pamphlet statement and his campaign website. He has stated he will work to restore balance to state government, promote individual choice, and strive for fairer taxation. His campaign website describes his candidacy as focused on serving the Twin Falls community. His career in medical equipment maintenance for healthcare providers informs his awareness of rural healthcare infrastructure needs in the Magic Valley. As of April 2026, he has not published a detailed policy platform beyond these themes. This section will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Political Alignment

Startin is a Mainstream Democrat. His stated priorities of restoring governmental balance, individual choice, and fairer taxation reflect a pragmatic, centrist Democratic positioning consistent with a decade of civic engagement in a heavily Republican Magic Valley district. No organizational endorsements beyond the Twin Falls County Democratic Central Committee have been documented.

Campaign and Endorsements

Startin is running unopposed in the May 19, 2026, Democratic primary for District 25. His campaign has received support from the Twin Falls County Democratic Central Committee. As of the most recent filing period, his campaign raised $2,576 from 13 donors, with $1,060 spent, per the Idaho Secretary of State's Sunshine database. Top donors include an individual contribution of $1,000 and a $300 contribution from the Twin Falls County Democratic Central Committee.