Democrat invites incumbent Fulcher and independent Zabel to October debate in District 1 race

Democratic candidate Kaylee Peterson, who is seeking Idaho’s U.S. House District 1 seat, has invited incumbent Republican Rep. Russ Fulcher and independent candidate Sarah Zabel to participate in a publicly accessible debate on Oct. 17. Peterson’s campaign said the event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Mountain Time and will include both in-person and virtual attendance options.

Details and candidates

The debate invitation, announced by Peterson’s campaign Wednesday, aims to provide a forum where voters can compare the candidates directly ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. The campaign said it is coordinating with the three campaigns to finalize a venue; however, the Constitution Party candidate, Brendan Gomez, was not mentioned in the announcement and Peterson’s campaign did not respond to questions about whether he received an invitation.

"This (debate) series has always been about giving voters direct access to the people asking for their vote. Now that Sarah Zabel has entered the race, it's only right she has a seat at the table too. My invitation to Congressman Fulcher stands, just as it has for four years. Idahoans deserve to hear from all of us, together, in the same room."

The quote, included in the campaign release, underscores Peterson’s position that voters benefit when multiple contenders answer questions side by side. Zabel confirmed to the Idaho Capital Sun that she plans to attend the Oct. 17 event and said she wants to present her case directly to district residents.

Fulcher’s participation uncertain

Peterson’s announcement noted that Fulcher has declined debate invitations in prior cycles. The incumbent could not be reached for comment on the latest invitation. The Peterson campaign said that if Fulcher does not appear, organizers will still proceed, incorporating his public record and statements into the forum to allow voters to compare positions even in his absence.

Context for voters

Peterson has challenged Fulcher in previous elections, and the 2026 matchup will again feature multiple options on the ballot for District 1 voters. In addition to Peterson and Fulcher, the November ballot will include independent Sarah Zabel and Constitution Party candidate Brendan Gomez. The debate would be one of the few opportunities for voters to hear all of the major contenders — depending on participation — address questions in the same setting.

• Date: Oct. 17
• Time: 6–8 p.m. Mountain Time
• Format: In-person attendance and virtual participation options
• Candidates invited: Kaylee Peterson, Russ Fulcher, Sarah Zabel (Brendan Gomez not listed in the release)

Peterson framed the debate series as a long-running effort to expand voter access to candidates. She noted the addition of Zabel to the race and said it warranted including the independent on the stage. Zabel told the Idaho Capital Sun that she intends to accept and present her platform to constituents.

What’s next

The Peterson campaign said it is attempting to work with all campaigns on a specific location for the October forum. As of Wednesday, the campaign declined to say whether invitations were extended to every candidate on the ballot beyond those named in the release. If Fulcher again declines to attend, the campaign said, it will use his public testimony and record to provide context for voters.

The scheduled debate would take place less than three weeks before early voting typically begins in Idaho, making it a potentially influential event for undecided voters and those weighing their choices. With the four candidates slated to appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot, a shared public forum could sharpen contrasts on policy and priorities if all participate.

As the campaign season moves toward November, events such as debates provide voters with direct comparisons among contenders. Organizers and campaigns will likely announce further details, including the venue and formats for audience questions, as the Oct. 17 date approaches.