Brad Little

Brad Little
Born	Bradley Jay Little 15 2, 1954
Birthplace	Emmett, Idaho, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, rancher
Known for	33rd Governor of Idaho
Education	University of Idaho (BS, 1976)
Children	2
Website	[[gov.idaho.gov gov.idaho.gov] Official site]

Bradley Jay Little (born February 15, 1954) is an American politician and rancher serving as the 33rd governor of Idaho since January 7, 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Little has spent more than two decades in Idaho public life, rising from an appointed state senator to the state's chief executive. Born and raised in Emmett, Idaho, Little built a career in ranching before entering politics, and his tenure in office has been defined by an emphasis on fiscal conservatism, economic development, and regulatory reform. Before becoming governor, he served as the 42nd lieutenant governor of Idaho from 2009 to 2019 under Governor Butch Otter, and as a member of the Idaho Senate from 2001 to 2009, representing first the 8th and later the 11th legislative districts. Little won the 2018 gubernatorial election, defeating Democratic nominee Paulette Jordan, and was reelected in 2022 with 60.5% of the vote against Democratic nominee Stephen Heidt and independent candidate Ammon Bundy. As of early 2026, speculation has emerged regarding whether Little will seek a third term as governor.

Early Life

Bradley Jay Little was born on February 15, 1954, in Emmett, Idaho, a small agricultural community in Gem County in the southwestern part of the state. Little grew up in a ranching family with deep roots in rural Idaho. The Little family operated a sheep and cattle ranch in the Emmett area, and Brad Little was immersed in the agricultural way of life from an early age.

Little's upbringing in the ranching industry shaped his political outlook and later policy priorities. He has frequently cited his background in agriculture and land management as formative influences on his approach to governance, particularly regarding issues of land use, water rights, and natural resource management — matters of significant importance in Idaho's largely rural economy.

After completing his schooling in Emmett, Little pursued higher education at the University of Idaho, the state's flagship public university located in Moscow. He would go on to return to ranching after college, eventually becoming a prominent figure in the Idaho agricultural community before entering public service.

Education

Little attended the University of Idaho, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1976. The University of Idaho, located in the northern part of the state, is Idaho's oldest public university and its land-grant institution. Little's education there coincided with his continued involvement in the state's ranching and agricultural sectors. After graduating, he returned to the Emmett area to work in the family ranching business, where he would remain active for decades.

Career

Ranching

Before entering politics, Little built a career as a rancher in the Emmett area, continuing his family's tradition in the sheep and cattle industry. His involvement in Idaho's agricultural sector gave him a practical grounding in the economic issues facing rural communities across the state, and he remained active in ranching even as he took on political roles.

Idaho State Senate (2001–2009)

Little's career in elected office began in 2001, when he was appointed to the Idaho Senate by Governor Dirk Kempthorne on May 24, 2001. He succeeded Judy Danielson in representing the 8th legislative district. Following redistricting in 2002, Little's district was renumbered, and he subsequently represented the 11th legislative district for the remainder of his senate tenure.

During his time in the Idaho Senate, Little served as the chair of the majority caucus, a leadership position within the Republican conference. He served in the Senate for just under eight years, participating in legislative sessions that addressed issues including state budgeting, natural resource management, education funding, and economic development. His tenure in the Senate established him as a figure within Idaho's Republican establishment, building relationships and policy expertise that would serve him in later roles.

Little's Senate service concluded on January 6, 2009, when he was succeeded by Melinda Smyser.

Lieutenant Governor of Idaho (2009–2019)

In January 2009, Governor Butch Otter appointed Little to the office of lieutenant governor of Idaho. The appointment came after the previous lieutenant governor, Jim Risch, resigned to take a seat in the United States Senate. Little assumed office on January 6, 2009, becoming the 42nd lieutenant governor of the state.

Little was elected to a full term as lieutenant governor in the 2010 election cycle. He first won the Republican primary election and then prevailed in the general election. He was subsequently reelected in 2014.

As lieutenant governor, Little served as president of the Idaho Senate and acted as governor whenever the governor was out of state. He also used the office as a platform to pursue economic development and trade initiatives on behalf of Idaho.

Trade and Economic Development

One of the most notable aspects of Little's tenure as lieutenant governor was his active role in promoting international trade and economic development for Idaho. He led and participated in several trade missions aimed at expanding markets for Idaho agricultural products and fostering business relationships abroad.

Little traveled to the Basque Country in Spain, returning with several agreements aimed at strengthening cultural and commercial ties between Idaho and the Basque region. Idaho has a significant Basque-American population, particularly in the Boise area, making these ties of both economic and cultural significance.

He also participated in trade missions to other regions. A 2011 trade mission was described as resulting in promising leads for Idaho businesses. Additionally, Little was noted for his efforts to expedite business processes in Idaho, working to reduce bureaucratic obstacles for companies seeking to operate or expand in the state.

Legislative Initiatives

While serving as lieutenant governor, Little also championed specific legislative initiatives. In 2014, he supported legislation targeting so-called "patent trolls" — entities that acquire patents primarily to pursue infringement litigation against other companies. The bill, designated S1354 in the Idaho Legislature, was aimed at protecting Idaho businesses from abusive patent infringement claims.

Governor of Idaho (2019–present)

2018 Election

When Governor Butch Otter announced that he would not seek a fourth term, Little entered the 2018 Republican primary for governor. He faced a competitive primary field but secured the nomination. In the general election, Little defeated Democratic nominee Paulette Jordan, a former state legislator who had become the first Native American woman nominated for governor by a major party in the United States. Little won the election and was inaugurated as the 33rd governor of Idaho on January 7, 2019.

His first lieutenant governor was Janice McGeachin, who was elected separately on the Republican ticket. McGeachin would later become a political rival, challenging Little from the right in the 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary.

First Term (2019–2023)

Little's first term as governor was marked by a focus on reducing state regulations, promoting economic growth, and managing state finances. He entered office with a stated goal of cutting government red tape and making Idaho more business-friendly.

Little's first term was significantly shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, which began affecting Idaho in early 2020. Like governors across the country, Little was forced to make rapid decisions about public health measures, business closures, and the allocation of federal relief funds. His approach sought to balance public health concerns with economic impacts, though the pandemic response became a source of political contention within Idaho's Republican Party, with some conservative legislators and activists criticizing the governor's use of emergency powers.

During periods when Little was out of state, Lieutenant Governor McGeachin repeatedly issued executive orders attempting to ban mask mandates and take other actions that conflicted with Little's policies, leading to a public and politically unusual rift between the governor and lieutenant governor of the same party.

2022 Reelection

Little sought reelection in 2022 and faced a primary challenge from Lieutenant Governor McGeachin, who positioned herself to the right of the governor on issues including the pandemic response and government regulation. Little defeated McGeachin in the Republican primary. In the general election, he won reelection with 60.5% of the vote, defeating Democratic nominee Stephen Heidt and independent candidate Ammon Bundy, a rancher and activist who had gained national attention for his involvement in armed standoffs with the federal government.

Little's second lieutenant governor became Scott Bedke, a longtime Idaho House Speaker who was elected to the position in 2022.

Second Term (2023–present)

Little's second term has continued his focus on fiscal conservatism, tax policy, education, and regulatory reform. In January 2026, Little delivered his State of the State and Budget Address, outlining what he called the "ENDURING IDAHO" plan, a policy blueprint focused on fiscal responsibility, school funding, and long-term economic prosperity for the state. In the address, Little invoked the "spirit of limited, efficient government" as a guiding value for navigating budget challenges facing the state.

In February 2026, Little publicly disagreed with the Idaho Legislature over proposed budget cuts, stating that permanent new cuts were "not necessary" and would cause long-term harm to the state. He emphasized that setting the budget was the Legislature's responsibility but made clear his opposition to cuts he viewed as excessive.

Federal Relations

Little has maintained a working relationship with the federal government on issues of importance to Idaho. In October 2025, he met with President Donald Trump and several cabinet members on Capitol Hill to discuss matters affecting the state. In February 2026, Little joined U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in signing a memorandum aimed at fast-tracking permitting for energy and infrastructure projects in Idaho.

Potential Third Term

As of February 2026, speculation has mounted regarding whether Little will seek a third term as governor. A plane towing a banner reading "Little for Idaho" was observed circling over downtown Boise, though Little had made no official announcement regarding his political future.

Personal Life

Little has been a resident of Emmett, Idaho, throughout much of his life and has maintained ties to the ranching community where he grew up. He and his wife have two children. The family has been involved in the sheep and cattle ranching business in the Emmett area for multiple generations. Little's ranching background has been a consistent element of his public identity and political messaging.

Idaho has a notable Basque-American community, and Little has engaged with Basque cultural organizations during his time in public office, including through official trade missions to the Basque Country in Spain.

Recognition

Little's political career has been defined by his consistent electoral success in Idaho. He ran unopposed or won by comfortable margins in multiple races for lieutenant governor and governor. His 2022 reelection victory with 60.5% of the vote represented a strong mandate in a race that included both a Democratic challenger and a high-profile independent candidate in Ammon Bundy.

As governor, Little has received attention for his approach to fiscal management, regulatory reduction, and trade promotion. His "ENDURING IDAHO" plan, unveiled in January 2026, received coverage from national outlets including PBS NewsHour.

His efforts as lieutenant governor to promote Idaho's trade interests internationally, particularly through missions to the Basque Country and other regions, were noted by Idaho business and agricultural publications as contributing to expanded market access for the state's producers.