Russ Fulcher

Russ Fulcher
Official portrait, 2018
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Idaho's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2019
Preceded byRaúl Labrador
Member of the Idaho Senate
In office
December 1, 2005 – December 1, 2014
Preceded byJack Noble
Succeeded byLori Den Hartog
Constituency21st district (2005–2012)
22nd district (2012–2014)
Personal details
BornRussell Mark Fulcher
(1962-03-09) March 9, 1962 (age 64)
Boise, Idaho, U.S.
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Kara Fulcher
​
​
(m. 1987; div. 2018)​
Children3
EducationBoise State University (BBA, MBA)
WebsiteHouse website
Campaign website
Fulcher's voice
Fulcher opposing the Great American Outdoors Act.
Recorded July 22, 2020

Russell Mark Fulcher (born March 9, 1962) is an American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Idaho's 1st congressional district since 2019. Previously, he served in the Idaho Senate from 2005 to 2014. A member of the Republican Party, Fulcher previously sought the party's nomination in the 2014 Idaho gubernatorial election, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Butch Otter in the primary.

Fulcher was first elected to Congress in 2018. A conservative, Fulcher is a member of the Freedom Caucus.

Early life and education

A fourth-generation Idahoan, Fulcher was born in Boise, Idaho, but grew up on a dairy farm in Meridian, Idaho. He received both a bachelor's and master's degree in business administration from Boise State University in 1984 and 1988, respectively. He also completed a course and was certified in electronic engineering through Micron Technology.

Career

While a member of the Idaho legislature, Fulcher worked as a broker in the commercial real estate business. Before that, he was involved in Idaho's technology industry. Fulcher spent much of that time working in international business development with Micron Technology.

Idaho Senate

Idaho Senate District 21

In 2005, Governor Dirk Kempthorne appointed Fulcher to the Idaho State Senate, representing the 21st legislative district, which encompasses large parts of Boise, Meridian and Kuna, to replace Jack Noble, who resigned after a conflict of interest. Fulcher was first elected in 2006 and served through 2012.

Idaho Senate District 22

Fulcher represented District 22 in the Idaho Senate from 2012 to 2014. He served as Majority Caucus Leader from 2008 to 2012 and from 2013 to 2014.

Committees

Fulcher served on the following committees:

  • Senate Education Committee (Member)
  • Senate State Affairs Committee (Vice-chairman)

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2018

On June 15, 2017, Fulcher announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for Idaho's 1st congressional district in the 2018 election.

He was endorsed by the incumbent representative, Raúl Labrador, and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Fulcher won the Idaho Republican Party primary with 43.1% of the vote, defeating David H. Leroy, Luke Malek, Christy Perry, Michael Snyder, Alex Gallegos, and Nick Henderson. Fulcher won 18 of 19 counties in Idaho's 1st congressional district. He was one of two candidates to win his home county.

He won the general election in November with 62.7% of the vote, defeating Cristina McNeil (Democrat), W. Scott Howard (Libertarian), and Marvin "Pro-Life" Richardson (Constitution).

2020

Fulcher was reelected on November 3, 2020, with 67.8% of the vote, defeating Rudy Soto (Democrat) and Joe Evans (Libertarian).

Tenure

In December 2020, Fulcher was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.

On December 1, 2023, Fulcher voted against the expulsion of Representative George Santos.

Committee assignments

For the 119th Congress:

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Abortion

Fulcher opposes abortion from the point of conception. In 2007, while a member of the Idaho Senate, Fulcher introduced legislation requiring parental consent for minors seeking abortions.

During the 2018 election, Fulcher claimed he had passed more pro-life legislation than any other Idaho legislator. However, his campaign later clarified the claim, stating that included legislation that may not have become law and may not have been directly related to abortion.

While in the House of Representatives, Fulcher voted in favor of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.

Antitrust

In September 2022, Fulcher was one of 39 Republicans to vote for the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package that increased filing fees for large corporate mergers that would in turn provide more funding for federal antitrust enforcement. The legislation was subsequently enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.

Federal spending

In May 2023, Fulcher was among 71 Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House. The legislation was a bipartisan agreement between Biden and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy to suspend the federal debt ceiling until January 2025 and establish spending limits for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

Healthcare

Fulcher opposed the Affordable Care Act and advocated for its repeal during the 2018 election. While in the Idaho Senate, Fulcher opposed legislation establishing a state run health insurance exchange under the Affordable Care Act. He advocated delaying the legislation until lawmakers could get a better understanding of the exchange's costs and rules, while questioning if the federal government would establish an exchange if Idaho failed to do so. During his 2014 gubernatorial campaign, he criticized incumbent governor Butch Otter for his support of establishing the state-run healthcare exchange.

In 2025, Fulcher supported changes to Medicaid included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including work requirements for certain recipients. He argued those changes would save the program.

Israel

Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Fulcher expressed support for Israel's military response. On October 25, 2023, he voted in favor of House Resolution 771, which condemned the attack and reaffirmed American support for Israel. Fulcher subsequently voted in favor of the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provided funding to federal agencies for military assistance to Israel.

Taxation

In 2024, Fulcher introduced the Keep Every Extra Penny (KEEP) Act. The legislation would eliminate the federal income tax on overtime pay. A similar, but separate proposal became law with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. That proposal allows eligible, single taxpayers to deduct up to $12,500 in qualifying overtime compensation annually and up to $25,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Electoral history

Idaho Gubernatorial Republican Primary, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Butch Otter (incumbent) 79,779 51.4
Republican Russ Fulcher 67,694 43.6
Republican Harley Brown 5,084 3.3
Republican Walt Bayes 2,753 1.8
Total votes 155,310 100.0
Idaho 1st Congressional District Republican Primary, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russ Fulcher 42,793 43.1
Republican David H. Leroy 15,451 15.6
Republican Luke Malek 14,154 14.3
Republican Christy Perry 11,110 11.2
Republican Michael Snyder 10,255 10.3
Republican Alex Gallegos 3,478 3.5
Republican Nick Henderson 2,003 2.0
Total votes 99,244 100.0
Idaho 1st Congressional District General Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russ Fulcher 197,167 62.7
Democratic Cristina McNeil 96,932 30.8
Independent Natalie Fleming 6,188 2.0
Libertarian W. Scott Howard 5,435 1.7
Independent Paul Farmer 4,479 1.4
Constitution Marvin "Pro-Life" Richardson 3,181 1.0
Independent Gordon Counsil 1,054 0.3
Independent Michael J. Rath (write-in) 91 0.0
Total votes 314,527 100.0
Republican hold
Idaho 1st Congressional District Republican Primary, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russ Fulcher (incumbent) 93,879 79.9
Republican Nicholas Jones 23,657 20.1
Total votes 117,536 100.0
Idaho 1st Congressional District General Election, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russ Fulcher (incumbent) 310,736 67.8
Democratic Rudy Soto 131,380 28.7
Libertarian Joe Evans 16,453 3.6
Write-ins Pro-Life 7 0.0
Total votes 458,576 100.0
Republican hold
Idaho 1st Congressional District General Election, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russ Fulcher (incumbent) 222,901 71.3
Democratic Kaylee Peterson 82,261 26.3
Libertarian Darian Drake 7,280 2.3
Total votes 312,442 100.0
Republican hold
Idaho 1st Congressional District General Election, 2024
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russ Fulcher (incumbent) 331,049 71.0
Democratic Patrick Largey 118,656 25.4
Libertarian Matt Loesby 9,594 2.1
Constitution Brendan Gomez 6,933 1.5
Total votes 466,232 100.0
Republican hold

Other political campaigns

2014 gubernatorial race

On November 23, 2013, Fulcher announced his intention to run against incumbent governor Butch Otter in the 2014 Idaho gubernatorial election. He was endorsed by Congressman Raúl Labrador.

Fulcher lost to Otter in the May 2014 Republican primary, earning 43.6% of the vote.

2016 presidential election

Fulcher was a Ted Cruz delegate at the 2016 Republican National Convention. He supported Donald Trump in the general election.

2018 gubernatorial race

Fulcher announced on August 24, 2016, that he was running for governor.

On June 15, 2017, he announced that he was dropping out of the 2018 Idaho gubernatorial election and would instead run for Idaho's 1st congressional district in the 2018 cycle.

Personal life

Fulcher was married to Kara Fulcher from 1987 to 2018. They have three adult children.

Fulcher is an Evangelical.

References

  1. ↑ Dan Popkey, Twenty years and a revolution in the Republican Party separate Otter and Fulcher, The Idaho Statesman
  2. ↑ "Biography". Congressman Russ Fulcher. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  3. ↑ "US Congress Rep. Russ Fulcher (R) | TrackBill". trackbill.com. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  4. ↑ "9B News". 9b.news. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  5. ↑ "House Committee on Energy and Commerce". House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Russ Fulcher faces primary challenge for his seat representing North Idaho in U.S. House". Spokesman.com. May 17, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Who Is Russ Fulcher?". Idaho Statesman. November 25, 2013.
  8. ↑ "2012 General Results Legislative". www.sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  9. ↑ "2012 General Results Legislative". www.sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  10. ↑ Miller, John. "Denney ousted as house speaker". Argus Observer. Ontario, OR. Associated Press. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  11. ↑ Project Vote Smart - Senator Russ Fulcher - Biography
  12. ↑ "Russ Fulcher makes it official: He's leaving Idaho governor's race to run for Congress". idahostatesman. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Fulcher drops out of guv race, switches to 1st CD, winning Labrador's endorsement". Spokesman.com. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Fulcher shifts gears, runs for Congress". Idaho Education News. June 15, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Ted Cruz Endorses Russ Fulcher in Idaho Congressional Race". U.S. News & World Report. March 18, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  16. 1 2 Almukhtar, Sarah (May 15, 2018). "Idaho Primary Election Results". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Idaho Secretary of State-US Representative District 1 – by County".
  18. ↑ "Home | W. SCOTT HOWARD FOR IDAHO". www.wsh4idaho.org. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  19. ↑ Almukhtar, Sarah (January 5, 2019). "Idaho Election Results: First House District". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  20. ↑ Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  21. ↑ Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  23. ↑ Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Who voted to expel George Santos? Here's the count on the House expulsion resolution - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Russ Fulcher". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Freedom Caucus". Freedom Caucus. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Membership". Republican Study Committee. December 6, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Caucus Memberships". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  29. ↑ Russell, Betsy Z. (November 4, 2022). "Russ Fulcher faces Democrat, Libertarian in bid for third term representing North Idaho in Congress". Spokesman.com. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  30. ↑ Russell, Betsy Z. (February 2, 2007). "No guarantees on newest abortion bill". Spokesman.com. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  31. ↑ Press, Associated (April 23, 2018). "Idaho GOP Congressional Candidate Clarifies Abortion Claim". Boise State Public Radio. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Roll Call 29 | Bill Number: H.R. 26". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. United States House of Representatives. January 11, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  33. ↑ "House passes antitrust bill that hikes M&A fees as larger efforts targeting tech have stalled". CNBC. September 29, 2022.
  34. ↑ "H.R. 3843: Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022 -- House Vote #460 -- Sep 29, 2022".
  35. ↑ "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023" (PDF). United States Government Publishing Office. December 29, 2022. pp. 1069–1074. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  36. ↑ Gans, Jared (May 31, 2023). "Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no". The Hill. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  37. ↑ "6 GOP candidates spar in Idaho congressional debate". Spokesman.com. April 29, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  38. ↑ "State-Based Health Insurance Exchange Bill Passes The Idaho Legislature, Heads To Governor". StateImpact Idaho. Archived from the original on April 16, 2026. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  39. ↑ Ritter Saunders, Emilie (February 21, 2013). "Idaho's State-Based Health Exchange Passes The Senate, Heads To House". StateImpact Idaho. National Public Radio. Archived from the original on February 24, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Listen: Fulcher Paints Otter As GOP Outsider In Race For Governor". Boise State Public Radio. May 5, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  41. ↑ Pfannenstiel, Kyle (May 2, 2025). "For Medicaid cuts, national work requirements being considered, says Idaho's U.S. Rep. Fulcher • Idaho Capital Sun". Idaho Capital Sun. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  42. ↑ gslwpadm (October 10, 2023). "Congressman Fulcher's Statement On Israel - U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher". Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  43. ↑ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ↑ "Roll Call 152 | Bill Number: H.R. 8034". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. April 20, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  45. ↑ House of Representatives, Congress (July 8, 2024). "H.R. 8938 (IH) - Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2024". govinfo.gov. U.S. Government Publishing Office. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  46. ↑ "What to know about the No Tax on Overtime deduction | Internal Revenue Service". www.irs.gov. Retrieved November 5, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Russell M. Fulcher (R)". Idaho Secretary of State's Office. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  48. 1 2 3 4 "Russ Fulcher (R)". Idaho Secretary of State's Office. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  49. ↑ "Idaho Secretary of State Canvass Report November 5, 2024 General Election" (PDF). sos.idaho.gov. Idaho Secretary of State. p. 46. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Sen. Russ Fulcher announces for governor". idahostatesman. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  51. ↑ "Raul Labrador backs Russ Fulcher for Idaho governor". Spokesman.com. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  52. ↑ "Statewide Totals". www.sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  53. ↑ "Idaho's Semanko: GOP floor fight not about dumping Trump | Idaho Statesman". www.idahostatesman.com. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  54. ↑ Idahoans for Liberty Campaign 2016 (November 8, 2016), Russ Fulcher Idaho leading on States Rights, archived from the original on December 15, 2021, retrieved May 2, 2017{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  55. ↑ "Russ Fulcher explains his qualifications for Idaho governor". idahostatesman. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  56. ↑ "Russ Fulcher for Governor 2018 – YouTube". YouTube. June 14, 2017. Archived from the original on June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  57. ↑ Russ Fulcher (June 14, 2017), "Russ Fulcher For Congress | My Announcement", youtube.com, retrieved June 15, 2017
  58. ↑ "Idaho congressman Russ Fulcher quietly divorced prior to election | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  59. ↑ "JNS: Russ Fulcher - an evangelical Christian from Idaho who will 'stand' with Israel". January 3, 2020.