Kaylee Peterson

Kaylee Peterson was born in New London, Connecticut, and lives in Eagle, Idaho.[1][2] Peterson earned a high school diploma from Eagle High School and an associate degree from College of Western Idaho in 2023. Her career experience includes working as the chief of staff of Associated Students of College of Western Idaho, serving as president of Idaho Young Democrats, and serving on the College Council Executive Board.[1][2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a 36-year-old working mom, sixth-generation Idahoan, and grassroots organizer running to restore trust in government and to fight for working families.

My path to Congress began with a simple realization: Idaho was struggling to recruit candidates willing to take on federal races because working-class voices lacked the financial backing and political infrastructure to compete.

I decided that if no one else would step up, I would.

What began as ‘just putting my name on the ballot’ quickly became something much bigger. As I traveled Idaho’s 500-mile-long First Congressional District meeting with rural communities, workers, farmers, small business owners and families across the state, I saw extraordinary potential for a different kind of politics, one rooted in trust, transparency, and showing up.

For nearly five years and across three election cycles, I have been building a movement from the ground up, laying the groundwork, developing the infrastructure, building the relationships and turning that into the messaging needed to unite Idahoans across political divides.

My campaign is built on a simple belief:

our government should work for everyday people, not corporate donors, political insiders, or party machines.

I'm working to make history by building the coalition needed to flip Idaho’s First Congressional District in 2026 and prove that principled, working-class leadership focused on common-sense solutions can win in Idaho.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

I want to dismantle a system that no longer works for the American people—that means holding the federal government and elected officials accountable.

BAN CONGRESSIONAL STOCK TRADES: Ban trades for members of Congress, their family, and associates.

TERM LIMITS: At most six terms in the House, two terms in the Senate.

OVERTURN CITIZENS UNITED: Ban corporate political dominance at the state level in Idaho until we can achieve it at the federal level.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM: Get every penny of dark money out of elections, demand full transparency, and ensure fundraising is no longer a priority for lawmakers.

INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT: Create an independent agency for oversight and enforcement.A LABOR-FIRST ECONOMY

It’s time to create an economy that prioritizes working-class families. I am a labor-first, union-first candidate.

MIDDLE CLASS TAX RELIEF

END CORPORATE EXPLOITATION

INCENTIVIZE WORKER PRIORITIES

REPEAL "RIGHT TO WORK"

PROTECT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

SUPPORT LOCAL AG & ECONOMIES

RAISE THE FLOOR

BREAK UP MONOPOLIESIDAHO IS NOT FOR SALE

Our mission is to permanently preserve Idaho’s public lands for future generations while generating new revenue for local counties. It’s time to reinforce the integrity of our water, our trails, and our forests by working hand-in-hand with Idaho’s Forest Service and federal agencies to ensure they are fully staffed, funded, and equipped to clear massive maintenance backlogs. By responsibly investing in expanding existing infrastructure and local timber markets, we can ensure that local counties get their fair share of active resource production—expanding local revenue shares to boost funding within currently insufficient systems.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Government accountability, keeping public lands in public hands, a labor-first economy, fair housing (homes for families, not hedge funds), reimagined but fully-funded public education, protecting Medicare and Social Security, fully funding programs for veterans

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

National Federation of Federal Employees, National Education Assn., National Organization for Women, National Federation of Democratic Women, International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Employees, AFT Local 3215, Idaho AFL-CIO

Kaylee Peterson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Peterson's campaign website stated the following:

BETTER GOVERNMENT

Politicians in DC have shaped their entire careers around rigging the game for themselves, rather than the hardworking Americans just trying to do the right thing by their communities and families. Career politicians are spending more time fundraising and courting out of state special interests than they do representing the people. I’m ready to make government work for you by supporting campaign finance reform, term limits, preventing stock trades in Congress, and restoring civility back to our body politic. Idahoans are exhausted by the relentless division and political theater, it’s time for common sense and good evidence based policy.

BETTER WORK

It’s time for working class voices in government that know what it’s like to put in overtime just to survive. Idahoans want fair wages, health care coverage, a retirement plan, safe & fair employment opportunities. Standing shoulder to shoulder with hard working families, collective bargaining, and supporting infrastructure and clean energy contracts that provide lucrative long term employment MUST be a priority. It’s time to support Made in America and strong rule of origin legislation. Times are changing and the economy continues to be more competitive, with threats across the world, disruptions to our supply chains, the rise of china, our workers are more at risk than ever before and no one is standing up to defend them.

BETTER LIFE

Let’s start with the basics. We will fight to protect Medicare & social security, healthcare and mental health resource accessibility, women’s autonomy and reproductive healthcare, veterans support and protections, education, from Pre-K through higher education, including trade schools and apprenticeships, agricultural subsidies and supports, and restoration of Idaho’s crumbling Infrastructure.

TOP PRIORITY

With accountability as my compass, I will lead the charge against corruption in government. Restoring trust is my top priority as a candidate, ensuring that those who betray public trust are held to account. Government, when effective, benefits millions nationwide, transcending race, gender, education, and location. Recognizing the crucial role public institutions play in our lives, I understand that no individual can achieve this alone. That’s why I’ll work tirelessly to forge connections with every voter, rejecting partisan politics in favor of collaboration. Together we possess a shared stake in improving and streamlining government, even if it means facing uncomfortable truths. The pursuit of a more perfect union demands this commitment each and every day.

CHOICE

I stand for women’s health and autonomy protecting both choice and Idaho’s healthcare workers. In America, our freedoms are what make us unique. The freedom to love, the freedom to privacy, and the freedom to express your opinions are hallmarks of our democracy and must be preserved. When it comes to a woman’s right to choose, I believe that it should never be the place of the government to dictate how a woman makes decisions about her health. No politician or interest group should be making decisions for individuals and I’ll fight to keep it that way. The government has no place in the doctor’s office, in the bedroom, or in the deeply personal decisions that families face each and every day. Reversing the damage done to Idaho families and Idaho’s healthcare industry must be a priority.

HEALTH CARE

On average, Americans pay over $10,000 per person for healthcare coverage, that’s $5,000 more than people living in most developed nations around the world. Idahoans healthcare costs are going up while our life expectancy is going down. Our system is broken and it’s time for a change. Whether it’s the skyrocketing price of prescription drugs, the predatory practice of surprise billing, nearly bankrupted rural hospitals, a complete lack of mental health resources, or the desperate need for healthcare professionals in Idaho, I will take immediate action to tackle these issues head on. You deserve better, deserve affordable healthcare coverage that guarantees access to the vital care you need and legislation that promotes a thriving healthcare industry.

SOCIAL SECURITY & MEDICARE

Let us recognize the truth behind Social Security and Medicare: they are not entitlements but earned benefits through decades of hard work and contributions to society. Social Security and Medicare provide crucial healthcare coverage, enable peaceful aging in place, and offer peace of mind to millions. We cannot allow those in Congress who seek to reform and strip these programs to succeed. Millions of Americans depend on these vital programs long after their retirement, and as a representative, I would be committed to both preserving and expanding them for current and future generations including passing the Social Security Expansion Act.

EDUCATION

Education holds the transformative power to shape individuals into future leaders, driving progress and creating a better world for generations to come. It is paramount that we prioritize investing in education passionately and unyieldingly. Our current reality paints a stark picture – the United States underfunds education by a staggering $150 Billion dollars. To build a society that values knowledge and opportunity, we must lower the burden of college tuition, champion trade schools, strengthen programs from early education to K-12, pay teachers and school staff their worth, and ensure that every child has access to safe school facilities. I believe every student should have the opportunity to unlock their full potential and become architects of a brighter future.

VETERANS

Our Veterans, the epitome of bravery and sacrifice, embody the very best of our nation, and it is our solemn duty to honor their service by ensuring their well-being upon returning home. As a child of a veteran, it is a deeply personal mission that we provide our Veterans with unfettered access to healthcare, mental health resources, educational opportunities, and unwavering support from our public institutions. No Veteran should ever be denied treatment, left without a roof over their head, or denied advancement opportunities in this great country. I am steadfast in my commitment to ensure Washington never forgets their immense sacrifices.

[4]

—Peterson’s campaign website (2024)[5]

Kaylee Peterson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Peterson's campaign website stated the following:

My highest priority in Congress will be to listen to you and to represent you with honor and integrity.

I will work to end inflation, lower health care costs, improve education, treat our veterans with dignity, manage our natural resources wisely, and see that America is safe and her place in the world is strong.

Inflation and Our Economy

Inflation and income inequality are on the rise. To end inflation and reduce income inequality, we need fiscal responsibility, debt reduction, and specific measures to bring high-paying jobs back to Idaho and America. I will fight for a level playing field for all Idahoans.

Health Care Costs

Every American must have access to high-quality, affordable health care. We spend more than any other nation in the world and don’t get good enough results. We need to lower drug prices through negotiation and competition, cut waste and fraud, require price transparency from insurance companies and health care providers, and expand telemedicine.

Education

Our public schools are the heartbeat of our communities and the driver of our economy. Education is by and large a state and local responsibility but Congress must do its part, particularly with regard to early childhood education and making colleges, universities and vocational schools affordable for all.

Veterans

My father served two tours of duty in Iraq, and I know first-hand that our veterans’ services system is broken. We must be vigilant to see that our veterans’ needs are met and that they are treated with dignity and respect.

Natural Resources and Public Lands

I will be a wise steward of our natural resources – our air, our water and our public lands. Idahoans treasure their hunting and fishing spots, and we must be sure that they do not fall into the hands of those who would sell them off to the highest bidder, effectively closing them off from public access.

Defense

Our military is in dire need of modernization, especially given how dangerous the world is right now. We must keep our defenses strong, continue to rebuild our relationships with our allies, and stand up to those who would do us harm.

Choice

I will always support women’s and people’s reproductive rights. I believe that a person’s autonomy and privacy must be protected at both the state and federal level. My opponent has proposed some of the strictest reproductive legislation in the country which leaves no room for compassion, no room for a doctor’s discretion, and certainly no room for choice.[4]

—Kaylee Peterson's campaign website (2022)[6]