A lifelong Idahoan, John Stegner was born and raised in Grangeville. After attending Grangeville public schools through high school, John spent a year traveling and broadening his perspective before returning to the area. He graduated from Whitman College with a degree in Political Science in 1977, and the University of Idaho College of Law in 1982. After practicing law in Lewiston, he spent 21 years as a District Judge in Moscow, founding Latah County’s Drug and Mental Health courts. He then served for 5 years as a Justice on the Idaho Supreme Court.

John and his wife Laurie will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary this summer. They have three daughters, three sons-in-law, and three grandchildren.

John believes that the government exists to improve the lives of its citizens and is running for governor 2026.