Idaho Legislative, Canyon County Candidates to Appear at Nampa Public Forum Tuesday
Canyon County voters will have a chance to hear directly from candidates seeking to represent them in the Idaho Legislature and on the Canyon County Board of Commissioners when the Nampa Chamber of Commerce hosts a public candidate forum on Tuesday evening. The event, set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Nampa Chamber of Commerce — with doors opening at 5 p.m. — will feature incumbents and challengers across three legislative races and two county-level contests ahead of May’s primary election.
Legislative Races on the Agenda
Three Idaho legislative districts will be represented at Tuesday’s forum, giving Nampa-area residents a direct look at the candidates who hope to carry the Republican banner into the general election this fall.
In State Senate District 12, incumbent GOP Sen. Ben Adams will face primary challenger Shaun M. Simmons. The race for State House District 13, Seat B pits current Rep. Steven Tanner against challenger Kody Daffer for the Republican nomination. Meanwhile, District 23, House Seat A features a notable matchup: former GOP state Rep. Melissa Durrant is seeking to reclaim the seat she previously held from her same-party successor, Chris Bruce.
All three races are Republican primaries, meaning Tuesday’s forum gives Canyon County voters one of their most significant opportunities to evaluate the candidates before ballots are cast in May. For statewide coverage of the Idaho Legislature and legislative races across the Gem State, visit Idaho News.
Canyon County Commission and Coroner Seats Also in Play
At the local government level, the forum will spotlight the race to fill the Canyon County Board of Commissioners seat currently held by retiring Commissioner Leslie Van Beek. Three candidates are competing for the open seat: Travis Palmer, Stewart Hyndman, and Scott Brock.
The Canyon County Commission plays a central role in decisions affecting Nampa, Caldwell, Middleton, and communities throughout the Treasure Valley — from land use and zoning to the county budget and law enforcement funding. With Van Beek stepping aside, the race represents a meaningful shift in the makeup of local government for Canyon County families.
The forum will also feature the Canyon County Coroner race, where incumbent Jennifer Crawford faces a challenge from Sydney Walker.
The Nampa city government has also seen significant recent change. Nampa is currently working to appoint a new mayor, adding to the sense that Canyon County’s political landscape is in a period of transition ahead of the 2026 election cycle.
Impact on Canyon County Residents
For hardworking families across Canyon County, Tuesday’s forum offers a rare and direct opportunity to compare candidates side by side before the May primary. With open seats on the Board of Commissioners and contested legislative primaries, the decisions voters make in the coming weeks will shape local policy on issues ranging from property taxes and county spending to land use decisions that affect Nampa’s rapidly growing neighborhoods and the agricultural communities surrounding Lake Lowell and Deer Flat.
The forum will be moderated by local communications professionals Claudia Weathermon and Vickie Holbrook, ensuring the evening remains structured and focused on the issues most relevant to Canyon County voters.
What Comes Next
Tuesday’s candidate forum at the Nampa Chamber of Commerce begins at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. The event is open to the public. Canyon County residents are encouraged to attend and bring their questions for candidates seeking seats in the Idaho Legislature and on the county commission.
May’s primary election will be the next major checkpoint for these races. Voters who want to weigh in on Canyon County’s direction — from the Board of Commissioners to the Idaho State Senate — should verify their voter registration and polling location ahead of primary day.