Contact:
208-505-8893
[email protected]
For Immediate Release
October 3, 2025
CALDWELL, ID – Branden Durst, a fourth-generation Idahoan, conservative leader, and architect of Idaho’s highly successful Advanced Opportunities program, today officially announced his candidacy for the Idaho Senate in District 11. The race offers voters a clear and undeniable choice between Durst, a proven conservative, and the current senator whose voting record repeatedly aligns with liberal and big-spending policies.
“Caldwellites deserve a senator who will fight for their pocketbooks, their families, and their conservative values, not one who repeatedly sides with the big spenders, lobbyists and the liberal agenda,” said Durst. “I’m running to bring principle and courage back to the Statehouse and ensure Caldwell has a voice that truly reflects its values.”
Durst’s Priorities: ABC for Idaho’s Future
Durst’s campaign is focused on three critical issues, summarized as the ABCs of conservative governance, designed to put citizens first, lobbyists last and restore fiscal sanity:
- Abolishing Property Taxes: Durst is committed to eliminating property taxes, which he calls a “tyrannical, never-ending rent” that threatens the ability of seniors and others to keep their homes.
- Battling Indoctrination: Durst will safeguard Idaho’s schools from divisive doctrines, improve education standards, and strengthen Parental Rights.
- Cutting Wasteful Spending: Durst will vote to slash out-of-control government spending that fuels inflation and burdens future generations, refusing to be a “rubber stamp” for bloated budgets.
A Clear Contrast in Conservative Commitment
Durst’s record as a former legislator stands in sharp contrast to the current senator’s performance, which shows a troubling pattern of aligning with moderate and liberal positions:
- Pro-Life Legislation: Durst proudly touts a 100% Pro-Life Voting Record. In stark contrast, the current officeholder was one of only two Republicans in the entire legislature to vote against the critical pro-life legislation, SB 1046.
- Agriculture and Fees: Durst stands for Keeping Agriculture Fees Low. Fees are just another word for taxes and the current officeholder voted three times to raise fees on Idaho’s food producers in her first year as our senator. Farmers cannot afford for her to be reelected and neither can consumers who end up paying for the increased taxes.
- Spending and Fiscal Sanity: While Durst is focused on Cutting Wasteful Spending, the incumbent’s record reflects an extremely low 18.1% Spending Index Score indicating a willingness to support excessive government spending and bloat.
- Overall Conservative Score: Durst was previously ranked in the Top 10 Most Conservative Senators (among all Senators) for his conservative voting record. In contrast, the current senator’s weak voting record has earned a rating placing her among the Bottom 10 Least Conservative GOP Senators.
“The current senator’s voting history is a clear indicator of who she represents and it isn’t you or our conservative values. It’s time to send a proven conservative to Boise who will truly fight for Caldwell,” Durst stated.
He concluded: “My record speaks for itself. While it’s true that like President Trump, I once was a Democrat, I was consistently ranked as one of the most conservative members of the Senate and had a 100% Pro-Life voting record. Caldwell deserves an American First Republican to fight for their interests and that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
Learn more at durstforidaho.com.
Paid for by Friends of Durst for Idaho.
About Branden Durst
Branden Durst, MPA, EdS, is the chairman of Brabeion Academy. He is a former Idaho state representative and Idaho state senator and co-creator of the highly successful Advanced Opportunities program.
