Jim Risch
Recent media appearances
None found as of Nov 9, 2026
Top articles
Overview
Jim Risch is a Republican U.S. senator from Idaho serving his third term. He previously served two terms as Ada County Prosecuting Attorney, was Republican Majority Leader and President Pro Tempore of the Idaho State Senate, was twice elected lieutenant governor, and became Idaho's 31st governor in 2006. He chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. risch.senate.gov
In 2026 he sought a fourth term against independent Todd Achilles, a former Democratic state legislator. Achilles called for public debates after the May primary; the Idaho Capital Sun reported that Risch declined a League of Women Voters forum, with his campaign saying the person who invited him had endorsed his opponent. eastidahonews.com
Platform
- Says he led the Senate fight to stop a proposal to sell some Idaho public lands and defends hunting, recreation, logging and grazing access.senatorrisch.com
- Says he is working to lower the cost of groceries, housing and everyday necessities through tax cuts and stronger domestic supply chains.senatorrisch.com
- Says he supports border security and enforcement of immigration law.senatorrisch.com
- Proposes reducing waste, fraud and abuse in federal spending and points to his work on the 2017 tax cuts.senatorrisch.com
- Says he backs nuclear energy infrastructure and opposes dam breaching to protect hydropower.senatorrisch.com