Kevin Marsh

Kevin Marsh earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon in 1989 and a Ph.D. from Washington State University in 2002. His career experience includes working in agriculture.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Kevin Marsh — a farmer and eductor committed to practical, community-rooted public service that brings people together to get things done.

My wife, Erika, and I live near Bellevue in Blaine County where we run Daisy’s Farm and grow produce for local markets. Farming teaches you hard work, resilience, and the importance of working with neighbors you can rely on. It keeps you grounded in the realities families face every day.

Earlier in my life, I worked as a wildland firefighter and Forest Service ranger, which gave me a deep respect for public land and the people who depend on it. Later, as a professor at Idaho State University for more than 20 years, I taught Idaho history and became one of the state’s leading historians. Teaching strengthened my belief that our future depends on steady leadership, independent thinking, and thoughtful decisions.

I’m running for the Idaho House because District 26 deserves representation rooted in integrity, independence, and respect for the people we serve. Erika and I have built our life here. We’re invested in this community, and I’m ready to serve it.

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?

My campaign is focused on protecting what makes Idaho strong. Our public lands, public schools, and our health care system that serves a rural state are investments built by generations of Idahoans. Recent actions by the Legislature that threaten these pillars of Idaho are a betrayal to the hard work of our citizens. I will work to defend these investments that belong to us all.Public lands are the foundation of our recreational economy and those mountains provide the annual water storage for irrigation. I will be vigilant in protecting access and integrity of those public lands.

Educational opportunities lay the groundwork for future generations to prosper. The Legislature needs to provide teachers with the resources and the trust to open doors to our children.

Health care should be accessible to all Idahoans, including those of us in rural regions. Legislative cuts have increased the costs of medical visits and treatments, and they have also undermined the ability of rural providers to stay in business. I will seek ways to use existing resources and broad coverage to lower health care costs across the state.Idaho has a proud legacy of electing leaders based on integrity and effectiveness. In the spirit of that tradition, I’m running to represent District 26—Blaine, Lincoln, and Jerome Counties—to deliver honest government and common-sense solutions, not ideological theater.

I will be consistent in promoting collaboration and respecting the choices of local communities and schools. The majority party in the Legislature today is practicing gross financial mismanagement, reducing individual freedoms, and undermining local control. A functional legislature focuses on real problems, offering practical solutions. Cost of living, abundant water, strong education, and access to health care are the real issues that the Legislature needs to address.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public lands and the water that flows from them, public education as a proven investment in the future of Idaho, and a health care system that serves rural Idaho and gives women complete control over their own medical decisions.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to earlier generations of Idaho leaders who showed integrity and independence, people like Gracie Pfost, Len Jordan, Frank Church, and Dirk Kempthorne.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, honesty, independence

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Listening to the citizens of all areas of this district, and building collaborative, creative responses to the issues that face us.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to represent the district in a way that brings diverse constituents together to make us stronger.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

This should be a relationship of clear communication and respect. Each has the responsibility to work together but also to limit the actions of the other.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Addressing the accelerating pace of growth and while maintaining the quality of life and environment that attracts that growth.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, American political success is based on compromise.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Idaho Education Association