Who is Jim Risch and what is Risch running on in the 2026 Idaho Senate race?

Jim Risch is the Republican candidate for Idaho U.S. Senate, and the incumbent. U.S. Senator since 2009 (third term), age 83; former Idaho governor and lieutenant governor. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Incumbent Jim Risch (R) seeking fourth term.
• Rating: Solid R (Cook, Inside Elections).
• Polling: Achilles 46 to 50, Risch 39 to 40 (Advanced Targeting Research, Sept 13 to 16, 2026); earlier Risch 52, Achilles 18 (Peak Insights, Aug 11 to 13, 2026).

Why Risch is ahead

• Idaho is deeply Republican; Republicans have not lost an Idaho Senate seat since 1974.
• Incumbency and money: Risch had $4.4M raised and $3.5M on hand by June 30 vs $692K raised and $194K on hand for Achilles.
• Achilles consolidated the anti-Risch vote after Democratic nominee David Roth withdrew on July 28 and Democrats rallied behind the independent. One September poll shows Achilles ahead, but polls disagree widely.
• Risch won his primary easily, with about 67%.

What Risch is running on

• Agriculture. Campaigns on fighting for Idaho farmers.
• Taxes and spending. Promises lower taxes and less government waste.
• Crime. Emphasizes support for law enforcement.

In Risch’s own words

“Our work ahead is critical, and I will never stop fighting to protect Idaho’s way of life.”

The other candidates

• Todd Achilles (I)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.