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Idaho Governor Brad Little: The chameleon governor. And his forthcoming tax increase. By Wayne Hoffman (10/26/25)
This article originally published in the Lewiston Tribune on Oct. 26, 2025
We normally avoid criticizing specific politicians, but personal experiences made sharing Wayne Hoffman’s article irresistible.
First some quotes, then a summary…
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Last July, Idaho Gov. Brad Little stood quietly like a stuffed potato as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., publicly congratulated him for not shutting the state down during Covid five years ago. — Wayne Hoffman
“Idaho did better than any other state in preserving those essential American freedoms. And a lot of that was because of the leadership of Gov. Little.” — RFK Jr., HHS Secretary
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This extraordinary achievement must have taken place in a parallel universe because I very clearly remember this universe’s Brad Little ordering Idahoans to stay home, local police arresting people for visiting playgrounds, holding yard sales, and going to church; and Little’s administration threatening bars and cosmetologists with loss of their licenses. — Wayne Hoffman
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He’s the ultimate technocrat. He’s perfectly happy just being an administrator of the state, not worried so much about a particular outcome. — Wayne Hoffman
ED NOTE
We thank Wayne Hoffman for exposing the chameleon nature of yet another politician who tells cronies and voters what he thinks they want to hear, and they fall for it like a twice baked potato.
Sadly, Idaho Gov. Brad Little is not unique in this behavior, but Idahoans should hold him to account.
A truly conservative opponent challenging Gov. Little in the May 2026 Republican Primary likely would have a snowball's chance in H-E-double-toothpick of winning, though we would welcome it.
📌 Note: The last guy who tried to run against Gov. Little ran into devastating trouble. Of course, we do not know that Brad Little directly caused his opponent's trouble; speculation is NOT causation.
Below are three more memorable examples of Governor little signing bills that he likely did not believe in. Luckily, the bills were so popular, he didn't hurt himself politically by signing, albeit reluctantly:
2025
📌 S1210a - Idaho medical freedom act (signed at 11th hour)
* Originally Gov. Little vetoed an almost identical Medical freedom bill, S1023a, saying it didn't allow schools to send home sick children (not true). Bill: tinyurl.com/94vyu87n Article: tinyurl.com/3yzwarwj
📌 S1211 - Ivermectin, consumer purchase (signed at 11th hour): tinyurl.com/5737prnb
2024
📌 H0710a - Libraries, prohibited materials ("I signed that stinkin' library bill," Little told Idaho Reports). Bill: tinyurl.com/bdcur3pb | Article: tinyurl.com/4zfm95ccSummary (Grok ai, edited; image from article)
Wayne Hoffman labels Idaho Governor Brad Little the "chameleon governor" for his shifting public stances.
Little’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic did not match the praise he recently received from Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., for preserving freedoms.
Little’s pattern of changing narratives on issues like gay marriage, tax cuts, and red tape suggests he manipulates public perception to maintain political favor.
Facing a budget deficit, Little avoids transparency, focusing instead on immigration to appeal to voters. Hoffman predicts Little will push for a tax increase in 2027 after using state savings to cover deficits, portraying him as a technocrat lacking a consistent political compass.
COVID-19 Response Inconsistencies
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., praised Little in July 2025 for not shutting down Idaho during COVID-19.
Fact: Little ordered stay-home measures, with police arresting people for playground visits, yard sales, and church attendance, and threatened license revocations for bars and cosmetologists.
ED NOTE We asked Grok “When did Brad Little lift the COVID state of emergency in Idaho?” Answer (edited slightly): Governor Brad Little announced on March 8, 2022, that Idaho's public health emergency disaster declaration for COVID-19 would end on April 15, 2022. The declaration was originally issued on March 13, 2020.
Shifting Political Stances
Little has alternated positions on gay marriage, red tape reduction, and tax cuts.
Vetoed a property tax cut but later celebrated its implementation after legislative override.
Claimed a $100 million tax cut limit but signed $400 million in cuts.
Budget Deficit and Tax Strategy
August 2025 state tax revenues fell short, prompting a 3% agency spending cut.
ED NOTE Gov. Little exempted public education from the 3% spending cuts. Education is his flagship issue, despite decades of failures and few improvements to education quality during his administration. Gov. Little's administration also champions The Idaho LAUNCH program, a massive post-K-12 spending operation that offers up to $8k for post-high school education or training, greatly benefitting Idaho's large businesses: tinyurl.com/2s3ay4hv.Hoffman estimates a $300 million deficit for the current fiscal year and $800 million starting July 1, 2026.
Little avoids acknowledging the deficit, focusing on efficiency and Trump’s tax cuts.
Hoffman predicts Little will use $1.6 billion in state savings to avoid tax hikes in 2026 (election year), then propose a tax increase in 2027, citing public school needs.
Political Strategy
Currently focuses on immigration to appeal to Republican base, avoiding primary challengers in 2026.
ED NOTE Some “moderate” Republicans and Democrats who desire cheap labor for farms and ranches have opposed true immigration and Medicaid reform.Likely to secure a third term as governor.
ED NOTE Per Grok, Idaho does not have term limits for governor, state senators, or state representatives.
Administrative Approach
Described as a technocrat prioritizing administration over policy vision.
Example: Hired Alex Adams, a reformer, for Health and Welfare, but replaced him with career bureaucrat Juliet Charron after Adams joined the Trump administration.
Signs conservative bills (e.g., banning boys from girls’ sports) to gain right-wing support, despite growing Idaho’s government.
Related:
Idaho Legislature 2025 Bills to Support or Oppose: tinyurl.com/2s6njae2. (Not sure we'll have the stamina to do this again in 2026 and beyond.)
