Caroline Nilsson Troy

Born Caroline Nilsson, she was raised in Lewiston, where she attended St. Stanislaus Catholic School. In 1971, her family moved to Botswana, where her father managed a research farm. The family returned to Idaho in 1977 to work on their large farm and ranch operation in Latah, Clearwater, and Nez Perce counties. Nilsson graduated from Orofino High School. She studied at the University of Idaho, graduating in 1984 with a B.S. in Communications.

After graduating, Nilsson moved to Southwick, where she worked in farming and ranching on family land north of the Nez Percé Indian Reservation.

In 1992, Nilsson began her career as a professional fundraiser, starting at Tri-State Hospital Foundation in Clarkston, Washington. She also became active in Republican Party politics. Later she worked in development for the University of Idaho and Washington State University.[1] She started her own business and is the President of Nilsson Advisory Group, which helps non-profits secure private support.[2]

She is married to Dave Troy, owner of Troy Insurance[3] in Lewiston. They reside in Genesee, Idaho and have four daughters.[4]

2014

When long-time Democratic state legislator Shirley Ringo decided to run for Congress in 2014, Nilsson Troy became a candidate for her seat in District 5B, running unopposed in the Republican primary.[5] In the general election she defeated Democrat Gary Osborn, of Troy and Independent David Suswal of Deary, winning with a plurality of 606 votes.[6]

2016

Troy was unopposed in the Republican primary[7] and faced two opponents in the general election, Democrat Laurene Sorensen of Moscow and Independent Ken De Vries of St. Maries, whom she defeated with 50.1% of the vote.[8]