There will be two new faces representing District 23 in the Idaho House, and the race for Seat B pits a longtime high school teacher against a current college student. Republican Shawn Dygert narrowly beat incumbent Tina Lambert in the May primary election, earning the right to face off against Democrat Julissa Melendez. District 23, which heavily leans Republican, encompasses parts of Ada and Canyon counties and the entirety of Owyhee County.
Dygert, 60, has been a high school agriculture teacher for over 30 years, spending the majority of his career in the Kuna School District. He lives in Melba and, as of June, Dygert is newly retired. He defeated Lambert, who served in the Idaho House from 2022-24, by 196 votes in the primary.
Melendez ran unopposed in the primary. A Homedale resident and Wilder High School alumna, she is currently enrolled at the College of Western Idaho. According to the Canyon County Democrats website , Melendez is studying political science and has experience working with the Idaho Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Melendez’s listed priorities include farmworker justice, education, and reproductive health care. As a Hispanic Idahoan, she hopes to bring more diverse representation into the Legislature, according to the website. She did not respond to requests for an interview.
As a part of the community, Dygert said he understands the needs of District 23. Dygert described residents as those who enjoy living.
