Brandon Woolf

Brandon Woolf (Republican Party) is the Idaho Controller. He assumed office on October 15, 2012. His current term ends on January 4, 2027.

Woolf (Republican Party) is running for re-election for Idaho Controller. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.^[source]

Prior to his appointment as state controller, Woolf served as Chief Deputy Controller.^[1]

He began serving in the position in July 2012, when Gov. Butch Otter appointed him as interim controller following a car accident that left previous officeholder Donna M. Jones (R) severely injured. Jones' injuries led her to resign the post and Otter formally tapped Woolf to succeed her on October 15, 2012. His appointment was confirmed in a unanimous vote by the Idaho Senate on January 28, 2013.^[2] Woolf won a full term as state controller in 2014.^[3]^[4]

Biography

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Woolf first joined the Office of the Idaho Controller as an intern in 1997. He later served as a training specialist in the payroll division, a bureau chief, division administrator and chief of staff to Donna M. Jones (R) before being named acting controller in July 2012.^[5]

Education

Bachelor’s degree in political science, Utah State University
MBA, Boise State University

Political career

Idaho Controller (2012-Present)

Woolf was formally nominated by Governor Butch Otter for the office of Idaho Controller on October 15, 2012, and his appointment was confirmed by the Idaho State Senate on January 28, 2013.^[2] Woolf had served in the position on a temporary basis since July 2012, when a severe car accident put previous officeholder Donna M. Jones out of commission. Woolf's appointment ended January 2015, as he began his first full, elected, term as state controller.^[3]

Issues

ESG

See also: Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)

Environmental, social, and corporate governance


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As controller Woolf took positions in opposition to the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) movement.

Letter regarding use of ESG criteria by S&P Global Ratings ( May 2022)

On May 18, 2022, Woolf co-signed a letter on behalf of the State of Idaho to the leadership of S&P Global Ratings, opposing the firm’s policy of publishing “ESG credit indicators as part of its credit ratings for states and state subdivisions.” The letter was also signed by Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R), the leadership of both the Idaho House and Senate, and the entire Utah Congressional delegation. ^[6]

The letter stated that “S&P has adopted a politicized ratings system” and as an example said that “S&P bequeathed higher ESG ratings on Russian and Chinese energy companies than on American ones.” ^[6]

Elections/Appointments

2022

General election

General election for Idaho Controller

Incumbent Brandon Woolf defeated Dianna David and Miste Gardner in the general election for Idaho Controller on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brandon Woolf (R)	69.5	405,075
	Submit photo	Dianna David (D)	26.8	156,232
	Submit photo	Miste Gardner (Constitution Party)	3.7	21,298

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 582,605
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Idaho Controller

Dianna David advanced from the Democratic primary for Idaho Controller on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Dianna David	100.0	31,652

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 31,652
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Idaho Controller

Incumbent Brandon Woolf advanced from the Republican primary for Idaho Controller on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brandon Woolf	100.0	220,254

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 220,254
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Constitution primary election

Constitution primary for Idaho Controller

Miste Gardner advanced from the Constitution primary for Idaho Controller on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Miste Gardner	100.0	503

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 503
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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