Judge Steven Boyce Defeats Bonneville County Prosecutor to Hold 7th District Seat
REXBURG — District Judge Steven Boyce will remain on the bench after turning back a challenge from Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal in Tuesday’s 7th Judicial District election, capturing more than 70 percent of the vote across the district’s 10 counties.
With all results tallied, Boyce secured 27,397 votes — representing 70.36 percent of the total — while Neal finished with 11,543 votes, or 29.64 percent. The margin was decisive, ending a race that had drawn attention as a relatively rare contested judicial election in eastern Idaho.
Boyce Thanks Supporters, Reaffirms Judicial Oath
In a statement following the results, Boyce called the campaign a humbling experience and expressed gratitude to his family, friends, legal colleagues, law enforcement, and court staff. He credited what he described as a grassroots effort that got underway in February after he learned a challenger had entered the race.
“I have been re-elected by the voters in the 10 counties of Idaho’s 7th Judicial District,” Boyce said in his statement, “allowing me to continue to serve as a district judge.”
Boyce also pointed to his judicial oath as the guiding principle for his continued service. He quoted the oath directly: “I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Idaho, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of district judge according to the best of my ability.”
The judge noted that the campaign — his first contested race — had been both challenging and strengthening. He thanked attorneys of the Idaho State Bar as well as judges throughout the district and across the state who advocated on his behalf during the race.
Neal Concedes Graciously, Pledges Return to Work
Neal, who serves as the top prosecutor for Bonneville County, accepted the outcome and offered a straightforward concession. “Congratulations to Judge Boyce on his re-election,” Neal said. “He has been a good judge, and the voters made a good choice.”
Neal added that both he and Boyce would return to their respective roles serving eastern Idaho residents, signaling no lingering tension from the race.
Boyce was first appointed to the 7th District bench by Gov. Brad Little in 2019 and ran without opposition in his 2022 retention election. Tuesday’s contest marked the first time he faced a challenger since taking the seat. District judges in Idaho are subject to contested elections, though such races are uncommon.
The 7th Judicial District covers a broad swath of eastern Idaho, spanning 10 counties and handling a significant volume of civil and criminal cases in the region.
A Busy Primary Night Across Bonneville County
The judicial race was one of several contested contests decided Tuesday night in eastern Idaho. Elsewhere on the ballot, Barbara Ehardt secured the Republican nomination in District 33A, while incumbent Rep. Brent Fuhriman defeated a rematch challenge in District 30. Bonneville County voters also weighed in on commissioner races, with the chairman surviving a primary challenge even as a newcomer claimed an open seat.
Tuesday’s results closed out what had shaped up as one of the more competitive primary cycles Bonneville County has seen in recent years, with multiple established officeholders facing credible challengers at various levels of government.
What Comes Next
With the primary now decided, Judge Boyce will continue presiding over 7th District cases without interruption. Prosecutor Neal is expected to remain in his role overseeing criminal prosecutions for Bonneville County. No general election opponent for Boyce’s seat has been reported. The 7th District bench will return its full attention to the court’s active docket following the conclusion of the campaign season.