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Branden John Durst (born January 15, 1980) is a former politician from Boise, Idaho. Durst represented Idaho's 18th Legislative District in the Idaho House of Representative from 2006 to 2010, and in the Idaho Senate from 2012 to 2013. He was the youngest member of the Idaho Senate. Durst switched parties in 2016 and registered as a Republican as of November 2020. Durst announced in January 2021 that he would be a Republican candidate for Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction. He ultimately placed second in the primary, earning about 34% of the vote (around 90,000 votes).

Personal life

Durst was born in Boise, Idaho in 1980. He grew up in south Ada County and attended public schools and was a third generation graduate of Boise High School.

Durst attended Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) as undergraduate where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science and a minor in communication.

After graduating from PLU, Durst attended graduate school at Kent State University and Claremont Graduate University where he studied public policy analysis and international political economy, respectively. He returned to Boise, and subsequently enrolled at Boise State University (BSU) where he earned a Master of Public Administration degree. While enrolled at BSU, Durst earned an academic scholarship from the Department of Public Policy and Administration and a research assistantship from the Department of Economics. In May 2022, Durst earned an Education Specialist (EdS) degree in Executive Educational Leadership, also from BSU.

Durst is married to his wife, Cheri and has four sons and a daughter.

Idaho Legislature

In the Idaho Senate, Durst served as a member of the following committees:

• Agricultural Affairs
• Commerce and Human Resources
• Education

Durst was also a member of the joint Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee (EORAC).

As a member of the Idaho House of Representatives, Durst wrote the first law creating the Advanced Opportunities program along with legislative colleague Steven Thayn. Durst and Thayn wrote additional legislation expanding the program further while members of the state senate.

On November 20, 2013, Durst submitted his resignation from the Idaho Senate effective December 1, 2013, to Gov. Butch Otter. It was alleged by the press, but never verified, that Durst was splitting his time between Boise and the Seattle area, where his family had relocated. He was succeeded by Janie Ward-Engelking.

Elections

References

1. "Branden Durst". ADA County Democrats. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
2. Prentice, George. "Branden Durst 'If you look at the Democratic Senate Caucus, we're stronger than we were before.'" Archived 2019-03-30 at the Wayback Machine Boise Weekly, January 9, 2013. (accessed 20 August 2013)
3. "Durst files paperwork for state superintendent's run". Idaho Education News. 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
4. IdahoEdNews.org, Kevin Richert. "Former lawmaker Durst files paperwork for state superintendent's run". Twin Falls Times-News. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
5. "Election Night Results".
6. "About | Durst for Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction". Durst for Idaho. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
7. ^ "Experience | Durst for Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction". Durst for Idaho. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
8. "Idaho State Legislature - Senate Committees". Idaho Legislature. Archived from the original on 2013-08-18. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
9. "Idaho State Legislature - EORAC Members". Idaho Legislature. Archived from the original on 2013-09-14. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
10. Education_idaho (2010-02-15). "Idaho Education News: New Bill Would Pilot Incentives for Early Grads". Idaho Education News. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
11. HANNAH FURFARO. "Odd couple lawmakers team up on education bills". Idaho Press. Associated Press. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
12. Richert, Kevin. "Durst resigning from state Senate" Idaho Statesman, November 20, 2013. (accessed 20 November 2013)
13. "State senator splitting time, living in Idaho and Washington". ktvb.com. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
14. Berg, Sven. "Ward-Engelking to replace Branden Durst in Idaho Senate" Idaho Statesman, December 20, 2013. (accessed 23 December 2013)
15. "2006 Primary Results legislative". sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
16. "2006 General Results legislative". sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
17. "2008 Primary Results legislative". sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
18. "2008 General Results legislative". sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
19. "2010 Primary Results legislative". sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
20. "2010 General Results legislative". sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
21. "2012 Primary Results legislative". sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
22. "2012 General Results Legislative". sos.idaho.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
23. "Legislative District 29". results.vote.wa.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
24. "2018 Election Results". www.boiseschools.org. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
25. "Election Night Results". www.livevoterturnout.com.

• 1980 births
• Boise State University alumni
• Republican Party members of the Idaho House of Representatives
• Living people
• Idaho state senators
• Pacific Lutheran University alumni
• Politicians from Boise, Idaho
• Democratic Party members of the Idaho House of Representatives
• 21st-century members of the Idaho Legislature