John Shirts is a Republican representing Idaho House District 9A. He is a fifth-generation Idahoan whose great-great-grandfather homesteaded in Washington County in the 1880s. Shirts was raised working on his family's ranch in Weiser and continues to reside there with his wife, Mercedes, who is a high school teacher.

Education

Shirts attended Weiser High School and worked his way through the University of Idaho. He subsequently graduated from the University of Colorado Law School. Additionally, he earned a Master's degree in International Relations from Harvard University's Extension School through the GI Bill.

Political Experience and Notable Positions

Shirts has a background in law and public service. He clerked for the Honorable Jonathan P. Brody, an Idaho District Court judge in Rupert. Following his judicial clerkship, he served on active duty and was later appointed as an Assistant United States Attorney under the Trump administration, where he served as a federal prosecutor in Idaho, convicting illegal alien drug traffickers and child predators. He continues to serve as a prosecutor in the Air Force Reserve.

As a state legislator, Shirts is known as a fiscal conservative. He has also pledged his support for congressional term limits by signing the term limits convention pledge, indicating his alignment with the national movement to limit terms for elected officials.