Who’s running in Idaho Legislature’s District 20 GOP primary? Meet the candidates
A rookie Senate Republican is seeking his second term against two challengers in western Boise and Meridian in the May primary.
Republican voters in Idaho’s District 20 will decide between Sen. Josh Keyser, who two years ago ousted seven-term senator Chuck Winder, and challengers Russ Spencer, an attorney, and Rich Marsh, a retired diplomat.
Keyser is a 39-year-old auditor and former Marine who unseated Winder in a contentious 2024 primary that favored further-right candidates over moderates, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. In the 2026 legislative session, he acted as Senate floor sponsor for Rep. Ted Hill’s flag bill, which instituted penalties for cities flying certain flags and prompted Boise to finally lower its LGBTQ+ Pride flags.
In a candidate questionnaire, he told the Statesman that he seeks to build on a “fantastic two years in the Legislature.”
Spencer, 44, is a former Bonneville County prosecutor who has most recently served as general counsel for the Idaho Board of Medicine, according to his campaign website. He describes himself as a “lifelong Republican, NRA Life Member, and Federalist Society member.” Spencer is endorsed by the Idaho Majority Club.
Marsh, 64, is a retired foreign service officer under the U.S. State Department and former Air Force sergeant, according to his campaign website. One of his campaign priorities is ensuring funding for “critical public safety work” like the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, he wrote in the candidate questionnaire.
District 20 includes part of Boise west of Idaho 55, or Eagle Road, as well as part of northern Meridian north of Ustick Road and east of Can Ada Road.
The Senate seat is the district’s only one contested in the May 19 primary. The winner moves on to face Pamela Renee Wilson, the Democratic candidate for the seat, in the November general election.
Two House seats are unopposed on the GOP primary ballot, giving Republican voters an easy choice, for now. Longtime incumbent Reps. Joe A. Palmer and James D. Holtzclaw seek to add another two years to their belts in Seats A and B. In November, Palmer is set to face Democrat Jennifer Stephens. Holtzclaw will face Democrat Mary A. Mosley.
Only Republican voters can cast ballots in Idaho’s closed GOP primary. All legislative seats are two-year terms.
The Idaho Statesman sent questionnaires to each candidate in a contested race. Their responses are presented below, unedited.
To learn more about these and other local races, go to IdahoStatesman.com/Election. Find more candidate Q&As like this in the Statesman’s Voter Guide.
