Senator Jim Risch
I moved to Idaho in 1963 to attend the University of Idaho and later law school. I met my wife, Vicki, and we have been married for 57 years. We have three children who live near our ranch south of Boise. I am a rancher, small business owner, and retired attorney, and I have served as Ada County Prosecutor, State Senator, Lt. Governor, Governor, and now U.S. Senator. I have a record of cutting taxes, standing up for the Second Amendment, standing up for life, and promoting border security. I have been one of President Trump’s strongest allies in the Senate, moving more of his nominees through my committee at a quicker pace than any other chairman.
Idaho GOP Platform Responses
✓+ Strongly Agree ✓ Somewhat Agree O Somewhat Disagree X Strongly Disagree
| Topic | Candidate’s Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| ✓+ | Responsibility in Government | Throughout my Senate tenure, I’ve voted against bloated omnibus spending, introduced the Zero-Based Budget Act, supported the Balanced Budget Amendment, and backed Trump’s DOGE cuts. I’ve consistently voted for tax cuts, including as governor when I cut property taxes, and cosponsored repeal of the death tax |
| ✓+ | Citizen Involvement | I strongly support the SAVE Act as an original cosponsor — only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections. I worked with Idaho GOP Chair Moon to defeat Proposition 1 and was the first federal official in Idaho to oppose ranked choice voting. |
| ✓+ | Education | I have always supported voluntary prayer in school and have been one of the lead sponsors of legislation to declare the first week in October as “Religious Education Week.” On homeschooling, I am one of the strongest advocates for homeschooling |
| ✓+ | Agriculture | As a rancher, I support free and fair trade that opens markets for Idaho products and protects farmers from predatory practices. The federal government should not interfere with Idaho’s water rights |
| ✓+ | Water | Idaho waters should be regulated by the state, not Washington. I oppose dam breaching and have fought to preserve the Lower Snake River Dams, which provide affordable power, irrigation, transportation, and flood control essential to Idaho’s economy. |
| ✓+ | Natural Resources / Environment | I welcome the Forest Service’s push under President Trump to increase logging, vital to Idaho’s economy and rural communities. I opposed Obama and Biden’s misuse of the Antiquities Act to lock up Idaho land and cosponsored bills for greater congressional oversight. |
| ✓+ | Energy | Energy security is national security. I’ve supported expanding oil, gas, and nuclear power — including strong advocacy for the Idaho National Laboratory — while fighting the Green New Deal. I’ve also backed geothermal development and opposed dam breaching for reliable energy. |
| ✓+ | Idaho National Lab | Idaho is the birthplace of U.S. nuclear energy. The Idaho National Laboratory is vital to its future. I’ve visited INL countless times and remain its strongest supporter in Congress |
| ✓+ | Private Property Rights | Government exists to protect private property rights and individual liberty — they are inextricably linked. There is no freedom without private property |
| ✓+ | State / Federal Lands | I led the fight to defeat this year’s proposal to sell public land in Idaho to the highest bidder. Public land is best managed closest to the people |
| ✓+ | Wildlife | The federal government should not restrict hunting, fishing, or recreation on federal lands. I opposed wolf reintroduction, successfully fought to delist wolves, and sponsored legislation to delist grizzlies. I oppose grizzly reintroduction and always carry a wolf tag |
| ✓+ | Economy | I support the Balanced Budget Amendment and have fought deficit spending. As former chairman of the Small Business Committee, I’ve reduced regulations and taxes on small businesses, launched the “Support Local Gems” program, and sponsored legislation to end DEI in the federal government |
| ✓+ | Health and Welfare | I am an original cosponsor of legislation to protect health care providers who refuse to participate in abortions |
| ✓+ | American Family | I was proud to vote for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which doubled the federal Child Tax Credit and made it more refundable, meaning families can keep more of what they earn. I support the MOMS Act for mothers and children. I am pro-life, backed the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe, and have fought taxpayer funding of abortions overseas |
| ✓+ | Older Americans | I believe federal policies should not penalize older Americans who want to continue to work. |
| ✓+ | Law & Order w/ Justice | As a former prosecutor, I protected the innocent while punishing the guilty and supported the death penalty. I am one of Congress’s strongest defenders of Second Amendment rights, a lifetime NRA member, and have worked to roll back federal gun control. |
| ✓+ | Securing the Border | I support strong border security and President Trump’s wall. A nation must control its borders. On military matters, I favor astute diplomacy over endless foreign conflicts. Under Trump, America leads from strength, securing peace deals that reduce the need for U.S. intervention |
| ✓ | Election of Idaho Judges | This is a state issue best decided by Idaho elected officials or the voters of Idaho. |
| ✓+ | Religious Liberty | I agree with the First Amendment: the federal government has no authority to interfere with the free exercise of religion. Its role is to protect religious liberty, not infringe upon it. |
Survey and Interview Responses
How long have you lived in Idaho?
I have lived in Idaho since 1963, when I moved from Wisconsin to attend the University of Idaho, which has the best forestry program in the nation.
How long have you been a Republican? Any prior party affiliation?
I have always been a Republican and have never been affiliated with another political party.
Have you been involved with any political organizations (IACI, Idaho Majority Club, IFF, etc.)
I have spoken before and participated in events with a variety of political and policy groups throughout my career.
Have you supported candidates from another party?
No. I have a long record of supporting only Republican candidates throughout my career.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for re-election because my chairmanship gives me a platform to help President Trump achieve his America First agenda and we are getting things done! I am in regular contact with the president, meeting with him almost weekly at the White House. The Senate rewards seniority. Currently, Idaho has two senators who chair two of the most powerful committees in that body. We cannot squander this opportunity that has put Idaho in a unique position to assist the president in turning America around.
Have you held elected office before?
I have served as Ada County Prosecuting Attorney, State Senator, Lt. Governor, Governor, and U.S. Senator.
What makes you qualified for this role?
I know Idaho better than any other candidate running, having traveled all over the state, gaining deep awareness of the issues facing Idahoans. I chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – one of the most powerful committees in the Senate. As a key ally of President Trump, I have his strong endorsement for re-election because I’m able to help him whenever he asks. The Senate rewards seniority, so sending a freshman senator would sharply reduce Idaho’s influence in Washington.
Additionally, my strong conservative record makes me the best choice. I’m consistently ranked among the most conservative senators—which fits perfectly, since Idaho is one of the most conservative states in the nation. I carry Idaho’s values to D.C. and ensure they have real impact in the U.S. Senate.
What are your top priorities in your first year?
I plan to continue being a key ally of the president, defend Idaho’s lands, revive the U.S. nuclear industry, continue reducing inflation, and ensure Idaho’s interests are protected.
How have you served your community (boards, nonprofits, etc.)?
I’m active in several civic and conservation organizations, including the NRA, the Rocky Mountain Elk foundation, Trout Unlimited, and Ducks Unlimited. I practice my Catholic faith daily, and my wife and I have been blessed to regularly support many charities and nonprofits across Idaho.
Fiscal conservative
My record in the state senate, as governor, and now as U.S. senator demonstrate that I am a fiscal conservative. As governor, I delivered the largest tax cut in Idaho history, slashing skyrocketing property taxes. In the Senate, I have consistently voted for tax cuts, I support the Balanced Budget Amendment, and I frequently vote against continuing resolutions and bloated spending bills.
America faces many threats to her position as the greatest nation on earth, but one that receives far too little attention is our out-of-control government spending — a danger as real and as serious as the threat from China
Social conservative
Yes. I have been a strong pro-life advocate throughout my career. Recently I worked with Rep. Ehardt on legislation to protect women in women’s sports and sat by her side at the U.S Supreme Court when her law was challenged by the woke liberals. I have been recognized by numerous pro-life and social conservative organizations for my conservative social stances.
Share your one minute elevator speech.
Idahoans know exactly what they’re getting with me — a consistent, highly-rated conservative with no surprises. I’ve cast thousands of votes for Idaho and am rated among the most conservative members of the Senate because I represent the most conservative state in America. I’m at the peak of my ability to deliver: Chairman of Foreign Relations, senior on Intelligence, second senior on Energy & Natural Resources, and with a close personal relationship with President Trump. When Idaho has a special need, I go straight to the President — and he has never turned me down. That’s why you should re-elect me.
What is your plan to advocate for your top priorities?
My top priority is America’s exploding national debt. We are adding a trillion dollars every 165 days and now sit at $39 trillion — this is an existential threat. I didn’t vote for the spending that caused it, but we must focus on fixing it. The financial health of the country has to come first for every senator, and I will continue pushing hard to bring fiscal discipline back to Washington.
Where do you see harmful federal overreach in Idaho, and how would you return authority to states and local communities?
Federal overreach happens constantly, especially under Democrat administrations. A prime example is the Lava Ridge wind project: a federal agency planned to cover 100,000 acres of Idaho public land with wind turbines to send power to California — something nobody in Idaho wanted. I aggressively cross-examined the Interior Secretary and BLM head on it. Bureaucrats in D.C. act like there should be no states or local governments. I fight every day to ensure Idaho remains master of its own destiny and push back against one-size-fits-all rules from the Potomac.
What steps would you take to reduce federal spending, address debt, and restore fiscal discipline?
We spend about $7 trillion a year but only take in $5 trillion. Congress only votes on roughly one-fourth of spending (discretionary items like defense). The real driver is mandatory “autopilot” spending: Social Security and Medicare are currently sustainable, veterans’ benefits are relatively small, and interest on the debt is what it is. The biggest problem is Medicaid — it has snowballed far beyond its original safety-net purpose. Fixing Medicaid is the single most important place to start reining in costs. Recent changes removing illegal immigrants and able-bodied non-working adults from the rolls will help significantly, though more work remains.
What is your position on the SAVE Act and federal efforts to strengthen election integrity?
I strongly support the SAVE Act. President Trump is right: we must require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID to cast a ballot. Universal mail-in ballots (sending ballots to everyone on the rolls) must end — it leads to ballots going to dead people and enables ballot harvesting. Reasonable exceptions for overseas military and incapacitated voters are fine, but mass mail-in is wrong. Democrats fight these common sense protections tooth and nail. We have the votes to pass it, but the filibuster stands in the way. The filibuster will eventually disappear when Democrats regain power, so Republicans should act first — they’ve already said their first bills would be D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood.
How would you protect access to federal lands for grazing, timber, recreation, and resource use while supporting rural economies?
I’ve fought for Idaho’s public lands for decades — my undergraduate degree is in forestry with minors in range and wildlife management. I oppose selling off public lands, but I strongly support giving states and locals more say in managing them. As governor, I was the only one who accepted President Bush’s invitation and wrote Idaho’s Roadless Rule. We now manage several million acres of former federal roadless land through a governor-appointed committee — the only state in America to do so. Dealing with federal land agencies is extremely difficult; they act like they own the land outright. We will keep pushing for better access for grazing, timber, recreation, and responsible use.
How do federal immigration policies impact Idaho, and what changes would you support to enforce laws and protect workers?
Republicans and Democrats have fundamentally different views. Democrats want wide-open borders; under Biden they essentially opened the back door, letting in 15–25 million people — an impeachable failure to uphold the oath to protect our borders. America has always welcomed legal immigrants through the front door — about 100,000 carefully vetted people per year who add to our economy. President Trump is now focused on deporting the worst criminals first while recognizing that certain industries need legal immigrant labor. I fully support him on both enforcement and targeted legal immigration.
Do you support term limits for members of Congress?
I am one of the strongest proponents of real term limits: voters should have the absolute right to throw anyone out every single election day if they’re not doing the job — and they do. What I oppose are artificial, imposed term limits that take away voters’ right to keep someone with valuable experience and institutional knowledge. In states with imposed term limits, you often see waves of previously rejected candidates sweep in. These inexperienced candidates end up depending on bureaucrats and lobbyists, who ultimately take over the reigns of power within that state or locale. Voters should decide — keep the good, boot the bad.
What is your stance on legalization of marijuana?
I strongly oppose the legalization of marijuana.
How will you stay accessible and responsive to your constituents?
I made it clear when I first ran for the Senate that I would not live in D.C. I commute: fly in Monday morning, vote late into Monday night, work hard Tuesday–Thursday, and fly home Thursday evening so I’m back in Idaho for Friday–Sunday. I come home every weekend except one annual fundraising event. I go to church here, shop at the grocery store, and travel to our six Idaho offices. Most senators now commute the same way — very few live full-time in Washington. This keeps me grounded and connected to Idahoans.
What question do you wish voters were asking—but aren’t?
I wish voters would ask Democrats: “How do you feel about boys competing against girls in high school sports?” and “How do you feel about parents allowing irreversible surgery on children to change their sex?” Many Democrats privately agree with us on these issues but publicly cater to the far-left edge of their party. It would be revealing to watch them answer.