About
Risch, James Elroy A Senator from Idaho; born in Milwaukee, Wis., May 3, 1943; B.A., attended the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 1961-1963; B.S. in Forestry, University of Idaho, 1965; J.D., University of Idaho College of Law, 1968; Ada County, Idaho, prosecuting attorney, 1970-1974; Idaho State senator, 1974-1989 and 1995-2003, serving as majority leader (1976-1982), and as president pro tempore (1982-1989); lieutenant governor of Idaho, 2003-2006 and 2007-2009; governor of Idaho, 2006; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 2008; reelected in 2014, and again in 2020 for the term ending January 3, 2027; chair, Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (One Hundred Fifteenth Congress), Committee on Foreign Relations (One Hundred Sixteenth and One Hundred Nineteenth Congresses).
Official Biography · U.S. Congress.
Performance & Participation
Votes CastMiddle 50%
97% — Voted in 844 of 869 roll call votes this congress.
Avg 97% · Most: 100% · Least: 87%
Vote IndependenceBottom 25%
0.0% — Voted against their own party majority 0 of 834 times.
Avg 2.8% · Most independent: 19.0% · Most party-line: 0.0%
Cosponsors AttractedMiddle 50%
452 — Attracted 452 cosponsors across 55 bills.
Avg 320 · Most: 967 · Least: 0
Cosponsors Attracted Cross-AisleMiddle 50%
95 — Attracted 95 cosponsors across the aisle.
Avg 79 · Most: 354 · Least: 0
Cosponsorships GivenMiddle 50%
310 — 310 bills cosponsored.
Avg 330 · Most: 727 · Least: 30
Cosponsorships Given Cross-AisleMiddle 50%
52 — 52 bills cosponsored across the aisle.
Avg 94 · Most: 425 · Least: 0
Social Media ToneiTop 25%
NegativePositive
Avg +0.65 · Most: +0.93 · Least: +0.48
Press Release ToneiTop 25%
NegativePositive
Avg +0.33 · Most: +0.62 · Least: +0.09
Opinion: Whatever Donald Trump wants, Risch will not oppose
Idaho State Journal · Oct 12, 2026
Opinion: Vote Todd Achilles for the US Senate
Idaho State Journal · Oct 12, 2026
November's election question: Where’s Jim Risch?
Bonner County Daily Bee · Oct 11, 2026
OPINION: Why would anyone ask Jim Risch that question?
D News · Oct 11, 2026
Jim Risch calls for Iran war to end as rising costs take center stage in Idaho Senate race - Sat, 10 Oct 2026 PST
Spokesman · Oct 10, 2026
