Branden Durst

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. 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

Durst was a candidate for Idaho Republican Party 1st Vice Chair at the June 2026 Convention, he was defeated by Viki Purdy only receiving 91 votes.