Idaho Republican Jim Risch wins reelection to U.S. Senate seat

Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Risch won reelection Tuesday night, holding his seat against a well-funded independent challenger in a race that tightened compared to his last two victories, the Idaho Capital Sun reported. The Associated Press called the contest for Risch at 11:31 p.m. The 86-year-old senator led independent Todd Achilles by more than 20 percentage points Tuesday as ballot counting continued into the early morning hours of Wednesday.

The victory secures Risch a fourth six-year term in the U.S. Senate, where he chairs the Foreign Relations Committee and serves on the Energy and Natural Resources, Intelligence, Small Business, and Ethics committees. For Idaho, the result preserves Risch’s influence over foreign policy and natural resources legislation.

Jim Risch Wins Idaho Senate Race: Republican Strength Or Party Loyalty? | NewsX World

Risch Leads with 56.75% as Counting Continues Into Wednesday

As of 2:50 a.m. Wednesday, Risch had captured 56.75% of the vote, or 368,072 ballots cast in his favor, according to preliminary figures cited by the Idaho Capital Sun. Earlier in the evening, the margin was narrower as fewer precincts had reported, illustrating how the lead expanded as more ballots were counted throughout the night.

Achilles, a 58-year-old former Democratic state legislator from Boise who left the party in 2025 to run as an independent, trailed with 33.5% in the Capital Sun’s count. Independent Natalie Fleming and Libertarian Matt Loesby followed with 6.89% and 2.87%, respectively, splitting the anti-incumbent vote.

🚨GOP VICTORY: Incumbent Jim Risch is forecasted to GUARANTEE his win against Todd Achilles in the Idaho Senate election. Idaho – 2026 Senate (odds) 🟥Jim Risch* 99.7% ⬜️Todd Achilles 0.3% Projected Margin: 🟥R+22.6 Forecast via @Pollsmax. Risch was first elected in… pic.twitter.com/fe1gfzmlTm

— https://x.com/ElectionTime_/status/2106403903109840911

“Thank you to every Idahoan who placed their trust in me to continue serving our great state in the United States Senate,” Risch said in an emailed statement. “Representing Idaho is the honor of my life, and I am proud to fight for the people and values that make our state special.”

Achilles Out-Raised Recent Challengers but Faced Steep Odds

Achilles mounted the most financially competitive challenge to Risch in recent memory, collecting more than $1.8 million—more than any recent U.S. Senate challenger in Idaho, according to the Idaho Capital Sun. The former lawmaker, who resigned his Statehouse seat to launch the independent bid, campaigned on a promise not to caucus with either party if elected and to resign after two terms, positioning himself as a true independent in a deeply Republican state.

Despite the fundraising success and his background as a former Democratic state legislator, Achilles’s departure from the party and independent run left him trailing Risch by more than 20 percentage points. Risch, first elected to the Senate in 2008, has now won four general elections, though Tuesday’s result was narrower than his 65% win in 2014 and his 63% showing in 2020.

U.S. Sen. Jim Risch — Photo: idahostatejournal.com

Closest Contest Since Risch’s 2008 Debut

Risch, who also serves on the Energy and Natural Resources, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Intelligence, and Ethics committees, now returns to Washington with nearly two decades of seniority.

Results Remain Unofficial Until November 24 Certification

Idaho election officials were still counting ballots early Wednesday morning, and the results will not become official until the Idaho State Board of Canvassers certifies them at its scheduled meeting on November 24, the Idaho Capital Sun reported. Until that certification, the Associated Press call stands as the definitive projection, though the final certified totals may shift slightly as remaining ballots are processed.