State House, District 29, Seat A

Legislature · LD29 ·See your exact ballot on VoteIdaho

Two-way race: turnout matters

Mary Shea D

Mary Shea is the only non-Republican on the ballot, so this is a two-way race and turnout decides it. This is the third straight matchup: Rep. Dustin Manwaring (R) beat Shea by 4.4 points in 2022 and by 10.4 points in 2024, on the same district lines in Pocatello (Bannock County). A 10-point gap is a lot to close, so this is a reach seat rather than a toss-up, and it would take a large turnout shift.

Method rule 3 · How we pick

What this office controls

The Idaho Legislature has 35 senators and 70 representatives, each elected for two-year terms; it levies taxes, appropriates public funds and oversees state agencies, and each district elects one senator and two representatives. (source)

Candidates

Dustin W. Manwaring R

Republican · incumbent

Pocatello business and estate-planning attorney who has held this seat since 2020 (and served 2016–2018); he sits on the Appropriations Committee.

“Good government should solve problems before they become crises, invest wisely where doing so will save money and remain transparent and accountable to the people. My commitment to Pocatello is simple: I will listen, respond and act.”
Closing lines of his answer to "why should people vote for you?" in a TV-station candidate survey. · 2026-08-24 · Idaho News (CBS2/FOX9), 2026 general election survey, State Representative District 29A, 2026-08-24

Website

Mary Shea D

Democrat

Pocatello attorney focused on child welfare cases and former Idaho State University instructor; the Democratic nominee for this seat in 2022 and 2024.

“I am not running to score political points. I am running to bring practical leadership, real-world experience, and a proven record of public service to the Idaho Legislature.”
From her answer to "why should people vote for you?" in a TV-station candidate survey. · 2026-08-24 · Idaho News (CBS2/FOX9), 2026 general election survey, State Representative District 29A, 2026-08-24

Website

Past results

2022 LD29 House A	Manwaring (R) 52.2, Shea (D) 47.8	R+4.4	source
2024 LD29 House A	Manwaring (R) 55.2, Shea (D) 44.8	R+10.4	source

Still being checked (3)

Manwaring's voting record on abortion access and climate was not reviewed. His campaign site's issues page does not mention abortion or climate.
Mary Shea's position on data centers and power bills was not found. Her site's 2024 questionnaire answers support a clean-energy transition and "Idaho's energy providers and their fair applications of prices."
The date of Manwaring's campaign issues page (quoted in the review flag) is unknown.

Sources (11)