Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) faces independent Todd Achilles, independent Natalie Fleming, and Libertarian Matt Loesby in the Nov. 3 general election in Idaho's U.S. Senate race. The Democratic nominee is David Roth. ​

Risch has represented Idaho in the U.S. Senate since 2009 and previously served as the state's governor, lieutenant governor, and state senator; he is also an attorney and small-business owner. He won the May 19 Republican primary with about 67% of the vote over Josh Roy. Achilles is an Army veteran and instructor. Roth won the May 19 Democratic primary with about 62% of the vote over Brad Moore.

What They Stand For

Risch has supported "maintaining peace through strength," including a strong national defense, according to his official Senate website. He's also supported:

  • Securing the border and communities,
  • Energy independence,
  • Reining in federal overreach; and
  • Idaho agriculture and defending public lands and resources.

Achilles has proposed reducing the national debt, which he says "threatens our long-term economic security," according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • Stopping corruption in Congress,
  • Making healthcare and housing more affordable; and
  • Treating immigration and border security as separate issues.

Fleming, a software developer and supply-chain specialist, had no policy positions available from her campaign materials.

The Money Behind the Race

Through June 30, Risch had raised about $4.4 million and had about $3.5 million in the bank, roughly 18 times as much cash as Achilles, who had raised about $692,000 and had about $194,000 on hand, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Oct. 12; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 9; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is Risch, a 99.37% chance of winning as of Oct. 14.

In Idaho's other Senate seat, Republican Mike Crapo won the 2022 race with about 61% of the vote. Republicans won both of Idaho's U.S. House seats in 2022 and again in 2024. Donald Trump carried Idaho in the 2024 presidential election with about 66% of the vote.

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