
Brian McKellar
Republican | Idaho
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Brian McKellar
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 32B
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg, Bachelors in Math Education, 2007-2011
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Scouting America, Organizational Charter Rep, 2023-2026
Snake River Montessori School Board, Member, 2023-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (2)
*ConservativesOf: Idaho
Idaho Freedom PAC
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe every human life has inherent value and deserves protection. Elective abortion should not be permitted, except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at serious risk. At the same time, we must ensure women and families have access to real support, including prenatal care, adoption services, and resources that make choosing life a viable and supported option.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I believe human life has inherent dignity and should be protected under the law. That includes protecting the unborn while also supporting women, families, and children, and ensuring compassionate care for the elderly and vulnerable. These are complex issues, and our policies should reflect both a respect for life and real-world compassion.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Agree
Human life should be treated with respect and dignity. At the same time, policies in this area should be thoughtful and consider the real-world impact on families, medical professionals, and those pursuing fertility treatments.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Agree
I support enforcing laws that protect life, but I also believe states should have the primary role in determining policy in this area. Any enforcement should be clear, constitutional, and respectful of the balance between federal and state authority.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Separation of church and state means the government should not control religion or interfere with people’s faith. At the same time, it should not restrict individuals from living out their beliefs in public life. It’s about protecting both religious freedom and limited government.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Agree
People should be treated fairly and with respect, but the government should not force individuals or businesses to act against their sincerely held beliefs. At the same time, communities work best when people treat each other with dignity and businesses serve the public responsibly.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
The Chinese Communist Party poses real threats across military, cyber, and economic fronts. We must protect American innovation, secure our supply chains, and ensure our national security is not compromised by foreign adversaries.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
The United States’ relationship with Israel is important as they are a key ally in a volatile region and share our commitment to security and democratic values. At the same time, we should always value human life and support efforts that reduce violence and protect innocent civilians on all sides.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Government has a poor track record managing healthcare, but everyone should have access to care. Today’s system is full of misaligned incentives that reward higher costs instead of better outcomes. I support a strong private system with targeted safety nets, along with reforms that increase transparency, improve competition, and focus on lowering costs for patients.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
I do not support government tracking of individuals’ medical conditions. Healthcare decisions and personal medical information should remain private, and we should focus on protecting patient privacy rather than expanding government databases.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I support policies that create better-paying jobs, not mandates that can hurt small businesses. Wages should be driven by the market, while we focus on economic growth, job creation, and opportunities that help Idaho families succeed.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise and private property rights are fundamental to economic growth, job creation, and individual freedom. Protecting these principles ensures opportunity, innovation, and long-term prosperity for Idaho families and small businesses.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
I want to make government more transparent so taxpayers can see where their money is going. That includes clearer budgets, fair and open bidding on contracts, reducing wasteful bureaucracy, and improving oversight of healthcare spending so we get better results at lower cost.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
I do not support sanctuary cities. We need to enforce our laws while also fixing our immigration system so it is clear, fair, and works for both our economy and those seeking to come here legally.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
Education decisions are best made at the state and local level, not by federal bureaucracy. We should reduce federal overreach and return control to communities, while ensuring students, parents, and teachers have the resources they need to succeed.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
Foreign governments shouldn’t have influence over what’s taught in American schools. Education decisions should be made by local communities, parents, and taxpayers—not outside interests. That said, we should still allow transparent partnerships for research and innovation as long as they’re clearly disclosed and don’t impact curriculum or local control.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
The goal of the criminal justice system should be to protect the public, hold offenders accountable, and ensure fair and equal treatment under the law. It should deter crime, support victims, and, when appropriate, provide opportunities for rehabilitation so individuals can return to society and contribute in a positive way.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Protecting children from exploitation must be a top priority. This requires strong enforcement, better tools to track and stop offenders, and cooperation with technology companies. We should focus on preventing harm, supporting victims, and holding those responsible fully accountable.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Disagree
No religion should be written into law or given special status by the government. Our laws should be based on the Constitution and apply equally to everyone. At the same time, every individual should be free to practice their faith without interference, as long as it does not
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The focus should be on enforcing existing laws and keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals and those who pose a real danger to others. At the same time, we must protect the constitutional rights of law abiding citizens. Solutions should focus on accountability, mental health support, and responsible ownership, not broad restrictions that impact responsible gun owners.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
I would describe myself as a conservative who believes in limited government, personal responsibility, and individual freedom. At the same time, I focus on practical solutions that strengthen families, support local communities, and create opportunity for everyone.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
Parents have the primary responsibility and right to guide their child’s health, education, and upbringing. Government should support families, not replace them. Decisions about a child’s well-being should be made by parents whenever possible, with transparency and respect from schools and institutions.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Agree
Children deserve protection and careful, responsible guidance when it comes to major life decisions. These situations should be handled with the involvement of parents and medical professionals, with a focus on the long term well being of the child. We should be cautious about making permanent decisions at a young age and ensure families are fully informed and involved every step of the way.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
I believe government should respect the rights and freedoms of all individuals, including the right of consenting adults to marry. At the same time, I also believe in protecting religious freedom so that no one is forced to act against their beliefs. We can respect both individual liberty and religious conviction without government overreach.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Neutral
I believe adults should have the freedom to make their own choices, including whether to participate in gambling. At the same time, we have a responsibility to protect children and vulnerable individuals from addiction and harm. Any approach should include strong safeguards, age restrictions, and resources for prevention and treatment, so personal freedom is balanced with responsible oversight.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My values are rooted in faith, personal responsibility, and treating others with respect and compassion. I believe in living with integrity, serving others, and strengthening families and communities. I also believe everyone should be free to practice their beliefs without government interference, and that we should treat one another with dignity even when we disagree.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
Voting should be both accessible and secure. Requiring a reasonable form of verification helps protect the integrity of elections and ensures every legal vote counts. At the same time, we should make it easy for eligible voters to participate, including options like absentee and mail in voting with proper safeguards in place. We can protect access and integrity at the same time.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
I believe in equal treatment under the law and that policies should focus on helping people based on need, not race. We should work to expand opportunity, improve education, and support strong communities so everyone has a fair shot. The goal should be to bring people together and move forward, not create new divisions.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
Women’s sports and private spaces exist to ensure fairness, safety, and equal opportunity. Those protections should be preserved. At the same time, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We should approach this issue thoughtfully, with solutions that protect women while also recognizing the importance of respect for all individuals.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Agree
Climate change is a real issue that should be taken seriously. We should focus on practical, responsible solutions that protect our environment while also supporting jobs and economic growth. Innovation, cleaner energy, and conservation can all play a role, but we need approaches that are realistic and don’t place unnecessary burdens on working families.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear power is one of the most reliable ways to meet growing energy demand. My dad was a scientist at INL, and I’ve seen how advances make it safer and more efficient. We should invest in nuclear alongside other sources to ensure stable, affordable
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