Carissa Brewer
Carissa Brewer (Democratic) is a candidate for the Idaho State Senate in District 4 (Kootenai County) in the November 3, 2026 general election. Carissa Brewer earned a high school diploma from Valhalla High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 2003. She also graduated from the University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2007 and took classes at the University of Texas, Austin. Her career experience includes working as a pharmacist.
Campaign site
“Carissa believes that work needs to be done to maintain and increase the affordability of essential services in our state. She would love to see more affordable housing programs, a raise to the minimum wage, and implementation of affordable and efficient public transit. Idaho can reduce the tax burden of the average Idahoan through state funding of education, allowing for lower local property taxes and a with the implementation of a progressive tax rate system.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey) “Due to her medical background, Carissa is personally passionate about healthcare. She would love to see safe, affordable and efficient healthcare for all Idahoans. She believes we need to support the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act that will be on the ballot in November.”
(Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey) “Growing up as the third of four kids in California, my childhood was a blend of fierce independence and deep family connection. My parents, both pharmacists from the Pacific Northwest, filled our lives with outdoor adventures—hiking behind our house daily, backpacking through the Sierra Nevadas, and spending our summers traveling across Utah, Oregon, Washington, and Montana.”
(Carissa Brewer campaign website)Ben Toews
Ben Toews (Republican) is the incumbent member of the Idaho State Senate representing District 4 (Kootenai County), running for re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election. Official legislative biography notes: Majority Caucus Chair Native Idahoan; attended Lake City High School; earned an Associate of Arts degree in political science from North Idaho College; received a degree in international business from Gonzaga University; engaged in family business of specialty construction tools for 17 years, serving as vice president and later as president/CEO before selling the company in 2019; founding member of a homeschool co-op where he taught economics, government, and leadership classes and coached the debate club for high school-aged students; Isaiah 59:19; wife: Elisha; five children.
“We hear that all the time on this floor: People have figured out what a great state this is. I’m actually one of the people who wish we’d been found a little less, because I worry we’re losing some of what makes us so special.”
(yahoo.com)