This story is part of a series of candidate profiles that Idaho Education News will publish leading up to the Nov. 5 general election. Our coverage focuses on competitive races in swing districts and those that have implications for education policy. Click here to see our previously published election stories. 

Thirty-seven votes made the difference in the contest that sent Rep. Ned Burns to the Statehouse in 2022. Burns won the 2022 election with 50.1% of votes, compared to challenger Mike Pohanka’s 49.9%. 

Pohanka, a Republican, is again challenging Burns, a Democrat seeking a third term in the Legislature.

And the rematch next month could be just as close, as both major parties vie for control of District 26 — Blaine, Jerome and Lincoln counties. 

Incumbent seeks to retain ‘critical’ seat for Democrats

Burns is a realtor and the former mayor of the Wood River Valley’s town of Bellevue.

Gov. Brad Little appointed Burns to former Rep. Muffy Davis’ seat when she resigned in 2021. After winning the 2022 election, Burns was named chairman of the House’s Democratic caucus. 

Burns said he’s running again to continue pushing the Legislature’s GOP supermajority to consider alternative perspectives in policymaking. For instance, Burns said he frequently met with Republican leaders as they crafted a property tax relief bill in 2023, and he secured some “small concessions.” 

“But it’s not necessarily about those wins or losses,” he said. “It’s more about: Are you fighting that fight for your district and for all the people of Idaho?”

Burns said his priorities in a third term would be resisting legislation that directs public education funding to private, religious schools and protecting public access to federal land in Idaho. 

On private school choice, Burns said he has consistently upheld his commitment to the Idaho Constitution, which bars sectarian organizations from receiving taxpayer resources. And he’ll continue to oppose private school choice. 

“If the people of Idaho want to amend the Constitution…I’ll address that at that point,” he said. 

Democratic lawmakers and political action committees from across the state have poured money into District 26 races. The two House seats are currently split between Burns and Republican Rep. Jack Nelsen, and the Senate seat is held by incumbent Sen. Ron Taylor, who’s in a three-way contest.

Democratic fundraisers and politicians — including Boise minority leaders Rep. Ilana Rubel and Sen. Melissa Wintrow as well as Boise Mayor Lauren McLean — have altogether given more than $10,000 to Burns’ campaign. Overall, he’s raised nearly $97,500, far outpacing his challenger in terms of donations. 

Holding the Democratic seat is “absolutely critical,” Burns said. “In terms of fighting off really bad policy, in terms of negotiating to make terrible policy acceptable policy, it’s critical.”

Repeat challenger backed by powerful Republicans

Pohanka is a former accountant and marketer for Idaho Power and previous economics professor at the College of Southern Idaho, according to a 2022 interview he gave to Eye on Sun Valley. 

Pohanka did not respond to EdNews’ request for an interview or invitation to participate in its voter guide. 

According to his website, Pohanka’s parents fled communist-ruled Czechoslovakia in the 1940s, and he was born in Twins Falls. 

“His parents instilled their sincere love for America and the opportunities it would afford for their family and Mike,” the website says. 

The general election is Nov. 5. Click here to register to vote, here to check your voter registration, here to find your polling location, here to request an absentee ballot and here to view your sample ballot.

Pohanka’s current address is in Jerome, according to filings with the Secretary of State’s office. 

Pohanka’s policy priorities, according to his website, include ”strategically” managing water rights, investing in transportation infrastructure and providing resources for first responders. 

The website also says that Idaho students deserve a “world-class education.” 

“We have to prepare by investing in our schools, so our kids are ready to compete with anyone, anywhere, anytime.” 

Pohanka’s campaign has collected more than $33,000 in donations, including from a platoon of powerful Republicans. 

Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke, House Speaker Mike Moyle, House Majority Leader Jason Monks and former Idaho Republican Party chairman Tom Luna each gave Pohanka between $500 and $1,000.