Ada County, Idaho

Idaho Senate District 17

2 candidates are tracked for Idaho Senate District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Carrie Semmelroth and Benjamin Chafetz. Candidate information follows official Ada County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Carrie Semmelroth (D), Benjamin Chafetz (R) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Idaho Senate District 17. Carrie Semmelroth is the sitting member, per the Idaho Legislature's membership roster. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19, 2026 primary, per the Idaho Secretary of State's candidate filing portal.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Carrie Semmelroth, is on the ballot.

Idaho › Ada County › Idaho Senate District 17

Carrie Semmelroth

D Incumbent

Top priorities

Full funding for public schools and universities
Property tax relief for Idahoans on fixed incomes
Protecting Idaho's clean air, clean water and open spaces

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Carrie Semmelroth has worked in education since 2003 and holds an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from Boise State University, serving her 3rd term representing Idaho Senate District 17, per the Idaho Legislature. She holds an Exceptional Child Generalist Idaho teaching certification, per the Legislature's member page.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Benjamin Chafetz

Top priorities

Support school choice so that funding follows the student
Limit business and government overreach while maintaining state sovereignty
Protect the right to self defense and neighborhood safety

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Benjamin serves as District 17 Republican Party chair and precinct chair for Precinct 1703, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotIdaho Senate District 18

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Idaho Senate District 17 in 2026?

When is the Idaho Senate District 17 election in Idaho?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Idaho are on the Idaho election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Ada County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Ada County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Idaho election office, or see the full Ada County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Ada County ballot

39 tracked races in Ada County, Idaho. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Idaho Senate District 19 Idaho Senate District 20 Idaho Senate District 21 See all 39 Ada County races

Candidate profiles

Carrie Semmelroth, full profile Benjamin Chafetz, full profile Official Idaho election office