Idaho Rep. Mike Kingsley, R-Lewiston, reverses course, says he won’t run for reelection

Rep. Mike Kingsley has decided not to seek another term in the Idaho Statehouse, according to a post on his Facebook page.

The conservative Republican from Lewiston who represents the 7th District in the Idaho House of Representatives recently submitted paperwork to run for reelection. But on Saturday, he posted that his years in Boise and away from family have taken a toll and he is ready to pass the torch.

“Once I realized that another true conservative was on the ballot, I felt comfortable making this decision. Kyle Harris will have my full support and endorsement, he has agreed to work towards being a replacement on the Idaho Freedom Caucus,” Kingsley wrote on his personal Facebook page.

Harris, of Lewiston, will compete against fellow Republican Jim Chmelik, of Cottonwood, in the May 21 primary. The winner will likely face Vickie Nostrant, of Lewiston, in the fall. Nostrant is the only Democrat to file for the seat.

Kingsley, a businessman, first ran for office in 2014, and lost narrowly to incumbent Democrat John Rusche. The margin was just 48 votes. Kingsley won rematches with Rusche in ’16 and ’18, and won two more terms in ’20 and ’22. During his tenure, he established himself as one of the most conservative members of the Idaho Freedom Caucus, and said in his Facebook post that he will “remain the head of the Idaho freedom caucus PAC.”