Maxine Durand

Maxine Durand was born in Richfield, Idaho. She graduated from Richfield High School. She earned an associate degree from the College of Southern Idaho in 2013 and a bachelor's degree from the University of Idaho in 2018. Her career experience includes working in government and nonprofit sectors.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Maxine Durand, and I am a career public servant with over a decade of experience in healthcare, education, and local government administration. Most recently before launching my campaign, I managed the Ride TFT public transportation system for the City of Twin Falls, the regional hub for south central Idaho and the Magic Valley.

I am running for governor to fight for an Idaho-based Medicare for All, expanding public K-12 education to include universal daycare and upping our curriculum so that every Idaho high school graduate receives an associate's degree, and for the creation of new mixed-income public housing and tenant's rights.

My platform is based on experience -- I've seen how the sausage is made in Idaho government, and I want to fight for the policies that I believe Idahoans need most. As our government systems are under direct attack by the Republican Party, who are more focused on punishing transgender people than making sure Idahoans can afford groceries, I believe now is the best and most urgent time for us to fight for a future we want to live in.

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?

It's not enough to "go back" to how Idaho was before the current era of conservative politics -- we need to build toward a productive, progressive, and populist future. That means making sure no Idahoan goes into medical bankruptcy, that no Idaho child goes hungry, that wages keep pace with rampant inflation and a rotten cost of living. We cannot go back to a bygone era of centrism for centrism's sake -- it's time we stood for actual change, not trying to please the Good Ol' Boys who have run Idaho into the ground.Democrats in Idaho need to decide if we're going to continue to run "moderate" candidates who do nothing to gain ground for the left, or actual leftist, progressive candidates who will stand on business and fight for Medicare for All, higher wages, civil rights, and public services like education and mass transit. We won't get anywhere by being the Diet Coke of Republicanism -- we have to become the scions of a new Progressive Era.Working-class Idahoans have had it rough for too long. Wages aren't keeping up with housing or the cost of living, and jobs are getting harder to come by. Young Idahoans are choosing to leave Idaho in search of new opportunities. Our current leadership is doing next to nothing to address these issues. As someone who has given her life to public service and administration, I have the experience and insider knowledge needed to fight for working Idahoans of all backgrounds, and as governor, I will not pull my punches.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As someone who has worked in multiple government agencies and nonprofits, I do have a few specialty areas, but I take a pretty broad interest in all areas of public policy. That said, healthcare, education, and housing are always my "Big Three" issues, but I am also very interested in public transit, food security, agriculture policy, and technology.

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

I have a few mentors that I've worked with over the years that I still keep in touch with and meet for the occasional beer to talk shop. They know who they are, but probably wouldn't like to be named publicly.

That said, I have learned a lot of lessons in leadership from Bernie Sanders, John Brown, Gene Roddenberry, Yanis Varoufakis, and some military leaders, including Nate Fick and David Hackworth. I also always recommend "Letters to Power" by Samuel McCormick -- it's a solid primer on the role of the public intellectual and what I think a good public administrator ought to be.

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

Trustworthiness and tact. Anyone in leadership, especially in public administration or political office, needs to be able to navigate the mish-mash of egos, conflicting interests, and the needs of constituents, and be someone people can trust to make difficult decisions that may never become public. There is a lot of skill required in this line of work, but more importantly, there is a huge demand on your integrity -- you have to be able to rise to that challenge and still be able to look yourself in the mirror every morning.

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

I think that where Idaho currently stands, the next governor needs to be someone who can do more than meet the basic administrative functions of the office (which are obviously important). The next governor has to be someone who understands that the legitimacy of our government has been greatly undermined, and will need to have the charisma, passion, and integrity needed to win people back and lead a popular movement. Even if a progressive candidate wins, they will need this movement behind them to keep the state legislature accountable and force change through the statehouse -- we need leadership as well as governorship.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I actually fell into public service work after college, and found over time that I genuinely had a knack and a passion for it. But, I was also able to reconnect with the legacy of my great-great-grandfather, George Durand, who was a union leader in San Francisco and started a few nonprofits in his day. The man was a local legend, from the stories I've been told, and did a lot of good for his community, as well as for the labor movement, where he was an early advocate of the 40-hour work week and fought for improved worker safety.

I feel like I have contributed a lot in my own public service career, and I could gladly hang my hat on what I've accomplished and call it a day -- but I would trade nearly anything to know that George was proud of me. If my legacy can live up to his, I'll be satisfied.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I grew up on a farm, but my first "real" job with a W2 was for PhoneBase Research (later known as Discovery Research Group) in the summer between my sophomore and junior years of high school. It was a market research call center, so I did a lot of survey calls and learned a ton about different industries and regions of the country, and I did a lot of political polling. I went back to work for them after I started college and worked there for about six years in total.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Balancing ambition and my desire to help others with my own needs as a human being, and learning how far I can push beyond my limits before hurting myself. Over the years, I've found some balance, but I still struggle with things like forgetting to eat or not sleeping as much as I should when I feel like I'm doing something important. Depression also runs in my family, and while I haven't had issues with that in years, it's something I keep an eye on, especially when I know I'm pushing myself too hard.

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

Setting the tone for Idaho politics and having a vision for the future. We don't expect enough from our governor, and I think we should be looking for leaders who actually have ideas about where we ought to be, and not just doing business as usual with donors and political organizations.

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

We do, and I would use if expeditiously and creatively to achieve the goals I have set out in my campaign platform. I am a firm believe that a weapon unused is a useless weapon -- if it's in my power, it's fair game.

Under what circumstances should the governor of your state be able to use emergency powers?

I think the obvious examples are things like natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or infrastructure failures, but I'd also like to see certain emergency powers used to tackle issues like medical bankruptcies, extreme poverty, and lack of access to medical care.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

I was eight years old on 9/11, so that one still has a lot of impact for me, but the earliest thing I can remember is watching news footage about the war in Bosnia when I was a kid. Not sure what year it was, but Dad was a history buff and former military, and I remember sitting on his lap in our big armchair, eating snacks and watching a lot of the news and the History Channel with him.

Campaign websiteDurand's campaign website stated the following:Idaho Medicare for AllExpansion of Idaho Medicare and Medicaid programs to create a free, universal healthcare plan for all Idahoans, with no premiums, co-pays, or deductibles, and guarantees for reproductive and gender-affirming care.Abortion, Reproductive Medicine, and Transgender HealthcareIdaho Medicare for All would cover all healthcare needs, including abortion, reproductive care, and transgender healthcare. Bodily autonomy should never be up for debate, and intimate healthcare decisions should be between only the patient and their doctor. This plan would include access to pregnancy-terminating drugs, hormone replacement therapy for transgender patients, and coverage for reproductive care for those who cannot conceive on their own.Medical Debt Buyback ProgramEvery year, thousands of Idahoans go deep into medical debt, and many are forced to declare bankruptcy as a result. This debt is ultimately sold to collectors for pennies on the dollar, who are incessant and unconscionable in their attempts to collect. The State of Idaho would buy up the medical debt of qualifying Idaho residents, at which point the debt would be forgiven, saving Idahoans millions of dollars per year that they can save, or put toward other expenses like food, rent, or taking care of their families.Legalization of Marijuana and Cannabis ProductsAn end to the failed “War on Drugs” within the state of Idaho, including the decriminalization and ultimately full legalization of marijuana and cannabis products, a shifting of priorities to treat drug addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal issue, and a focus on drug education and abuse prevention.Universal HousingEstablish statewide rent controls tied to state minimum wage and national housing per-diem rate. Guaranteed right to counsel for all tenants. Public investment in building quality multi-income social housing and an expansion of programs to place those most in need with suitable, high-quality, and well-maintained housing.College for AllRevamping Idaho’s K-12 education system to better prepare students for college, and restructure the Idaho high school curriculum to meet the requirements of a 2-year associate of arts degree so that all students graduating from Idaho schools will have a head start on college, whether they remain in Idaho or not. Expansion of the Idaho LAUNCH program to cover more post-secondary education and greater dollar amounts, with the ultimate goal of creating a universal free college system for Idaho residents.Increase Idaho’s Minimum WageAn immediate increase of the Idaho minimum wage to $15 an hour, with further step increases planned through 2035 before tying the minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index.Labor and Right to WorkA repeal of Idaho’s “Right to Work” status, so that workers can have a fair chance at unionizing if they so choose, as well as establishing a non-interference and neutrality commitment for public sector unions on behalf of the Idaho state government.Protecting the current ratio of journeymen to apprentices in all trades, and vetoing any legislation that would take the power of determining these ratios away from organized labor.Support for Workers and Working FamiliesPaid family leave for all workers, and free public universal childcare and pre-K as an expansion of the Idaho Public School system.Work From Home Telework InitiativeA concerted push to make “work from home” telework the preferred and encouraged method of employment for all applicable Idaho jobs, and to expand the capacity and availability of high-speed internet throughout the state to support this initiative.Small Farm Support and “First-Time Farmer” InitiativeIncreased state grant funding for small farms operated by families or individuals, and for first-time farmers looking to buy land and start new farms or those trying to redevelop existing family farms. Idaho’s legacy as a rural, agricultural state is under attack by factory farms and large-scale industrial farming, but by creating incentives for the next generation of Idaho’s small farmers, we can preserve our heritage while adapting for the food needs of the future.Public Lands and Freedom to RoamA full moratorium on any sale of public lands currently owned by the State of Idaho, as well as an initiative to reclaim public lands sold under previous administrations. A further effort to purchase or otherwise legally obtain private land that has been abandoned, or that may serve the public good, which would then be converted into nature space or public housing. Enacting a “Freedom to Roam” policy for all Idaho public lands and right-of-way, so that Idaho’s natural beauty can be enjoyed by all, and not hoarded behind private roads or fences.Universal Hunter’s Education, Gun Safety, and PermittingAn expansion to current gun safety and hunter’s education courses to include first aid and CPR certification, mental health first aid training, de-escalation, and emergency management training, so that Idaho gun owners are trained on not only how to utilize their rights under the Second Amendment, but also understand the responsibility of gun ownership and have the additional training and resources to help others in times of emergency. Funding would be allocated to make this program free of charge to any Idaho resident who wants to utilize it.Term LimitsTerm limits for all state and local Idaho government positions, for a maximum of two terms (consecutive or nonconsecutive) in a person’s life. Those currently serving in their second term or terms beyond a second term may finish those terms, but will not be eligible for any further terms.Add the WordsAn amendment to the Idaho Human Rights Act to add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”, and enshrine protections for LGBTQ individuals at the state level.Energy Independence InitiativeChanges to Idaho’s power generation regulations to make home ownership of wind, solar, and geothermal energy production systems more accessible, feasible, and affordable, with the goal of empowering Idahoans to create their own sustainable power generation for off-grid use, and to decentralize the state power grid by making it easier to sell excess generation.Science Industry DevelopmentCreating new opportunities to fund development in Idaho’s science and technology sector, both to attract existing technology companies to expand or relocate to Idaho, and to encourage Idaho STEM graduates to start new businesses locally. The next major breakthroughs in science and technology should be made in Idaho, and this will only happen if we invest in the future.Right to RepairEnshrining “Right to Repair” into Idaho law for all property, but with particular focus on farm equipment, electronics and software, and automobiles. For too long, Idahoans have been forced into uncooperative and predatory terms when trying to repair or modify their own property, in the form of overzealous warranties or restrictions from the manufacturer. Whether it’s a farm tractor or a personal computer, if you paid for it, you should have the right to do with it as you see fit.Idaho Public Transit Trust FundA trust fund to be created with the sole purpose of building an investment trust, which will then be used to fund public transit operations, administration, and capital projects in the state, and act as match for federal transit funds. The Trust will be funded by adding a $10 fee to all vehicle registrations in the state of Idaho, which will be pooled and invested for a period of 10 years from the date of the fund’s creation before a portion of the fund’s annual interest earnings will be made available as public transit grant funds managed by ITD.Funding for the Arts and HumanitiesEstablish a state grant program for Idaho-based artists of all kinds, increase funding for public arts and humanities education, and create a cabinet-level Secretary of the Arts position to oversee and encourage development in Idaho’s arts and entertainment industry.— Maxine Durand's campaign website (April 22, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Campaign website

Durand’s campaign website stated the following:

Our platform

What issues are we tackling?

Health and Wellbeing

Idaho Medicare for All

Expansion of Idaho Medicare and Medicaid programs to create a free, universal healthcare plan for all Idahoans, with no premiums, co-pays, or deductibles, and guarantees for reproductive and gender-affirming care.

Medical Debt Buyback Program

Every year, thousands of Idahoans go deep into medical debt, and many are forced to declare bankruptcy as a result. This debt is ultimately sold to collectors for pennies on the dollar, who are incessant and unconscionable in their attempts to collect. The State of Idaho would buy up the medical debt of qualifying Idaho residents, at which point the debt would be forgiven, saving Idahoans millions of dollars per year that they can save, or put toward other expenses like food, rent, or taking care of their families.

Legalization of Marijuana and Cannabis Products

An end to the failed “War on Drugs” within the state of Idaho, including the decriminalization and ultimately full legalization of marijuana and cannabis products, a shifting of priorities to treat drug addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal issue, and a focus on drug education and abuse prevention.

Housing & Economic Security

Universal Housing

Establish statewide rent controls tied to state minimum wage and national housing per-diem rate. Guaranteed right to counsel for all tenants. Public investment in building quality multi-income social housing and an expansion of programs to place those most in need with suitable, high-quality, and well-maintained housing.

College for All

Revamping Idaho’s K-12 education system to better prepare students for college, and restructure the Idaho high school curriculum to meet the requirements of a 2-year associate of arts degree so that all students graduating from Idaho schools will have a head start on college, whether they remain in Idaho or not. Expansion of the Idaho LAUNCH program to cover more post-secondary education and greater dollar amounts, with the ultimate goal of creating a universal free college system for Idaho residents.

Increase Idaho’s Minimum Wage

An immediate increase of the Idaho minimum wage to $15 an hour, with further step increases planned through 2035 before tying the minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index.

Support for Workers and Working Families

Paid family leave for all workers, and free public universal childcare and pre-K as an expansion of the Idaho Public School system.

Work From Home Telework Initiative

A concerted push to make “work from home” telework the preferred and encouraged method of employment for all applicable Idaho jobs, and to expand the capacity and availability of high-speed internet throughout the state to support this initiative.

Agriculture & Safety

Small Farm Support and “First-Time Farmer” Initiative

Increased state grant funding for small farms operated by families or individuals, and for first-time farmers looking to buy land and start new farms or those trying to redevelop existing family farms. Idaho’s legacy as a rural, agricultural state is under attack by factory farms and large-scale industrial farming, but by creating incentives for the next generation of Idaho’s small farmers, we can preserve our heritage while adapting for the food needs of the future.

Universal Hunter’s Education, Gun Safety, and Permitting

An expansion to current gun safety and hunter’s education courses to include first aid and CPR certification, mental health first aid training, de-escalation, and emergency management training, so that Idaho gun owners are trained on not only how to utilize their rights under the Second Amendment, but also understand the responsibility of gun ownership and have the additional training and resources to help others in times of emergency. Funding would be allocated to make this program free of charge to any Idaho resident who wants to utilize it.

Good Governance

Term Limits

Term limits for all state and local Idaho government positions, for a maximum of two terms (consecutive or nonconsecutive) in a person’s life. Those currently serving in their second term or terms beyond a second term may finish those terms, but will not be eligible for any further terms.

Add the Words

An amendment to the Idaho Human Rights Act to add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”, and enshrine protections for LGBTQ individuals at the state level.

Innovation & Industry

Energy Independence Initiative

Changes to Idaho’s power generation regulations to make home ownership of wind, solar, and geothermal energy production systems more accessible, feasible, and affordable, with the goal of empowering Idahoans to create their own sustainable power generation for off-grid use, and to decentralize the state power grid by making it easier to sell excess generation.

Science Industry Development

Creating new opportunities to fund development in Idaho’s science and technology sector, both to attract existing technology companies to expand or relocate to Idaho, and to encourage Idaho STEM graduates to start new businesses locally. The next major breakthroughs in science and technology should be made in Idaho, and this will only happen if we invest in the future.

Idaho Public Transit Trust Fund

A trust fund to be created with the sole purpose of building an investment trust, which will then be used to fund public transit operations, administration, and capital projects in the state, and act as match for federal transit funds. The Trust will be funded by adding a $10 fee to all vehicle registrations in the state of Idaho, which will be pooled and invested for a period of 10 years from the date of the fund’s creation before a portion of the fund’s annual interest earnings will be made available as public transit grant funds managed by ITD.

Funding for the Arts and Humanities

Establish a state grant program for Idaho-based artists of all kinds, increase funding for public arts and humanities education, and create a cabinet-level Secretary of the Arts position to oversee and encourage development in Idaho’s arts and entertainment industry.

[3]

—Maxine Durand’s campaign website (2025)[4]