Early returns in Idaho's U.S. Senate race Tuesday night showed three-term incumbent Jim Risch, 83, ahead of independent challenger Todd Achilles, 58, as the former Democratic state lawmaker's attention-getting bid to unseat him came to a close. As of 10:20 p.m., Risch had 50.42% of the vote to Achilles' 40.32%.
A Campaign Built on Generational Contrast
According to the Idaho Statesman, Achilles ran as an independent against the three-term incumbent and repeatedly took aim at Risch's age, arguing the senator had overstayed his welcome in Washington and should retire. Achilles sought to capitalize on anti-establishment, anti-Washington sentiment and position himself as a political outsider, the paper reported. His campaign headquarters was based in Garden City, Idaho.
Risch, for his part, described himself as a consistent conservative and argued that his tenure and close working relationship with President Donald Trump directly benefit Idahoans. In his 18 years as a U.S. senator, Risch said relationships and institutional knowledge help him get results for Idahoans, according to the same report. He also pointed to his authorship of Idaho's Roadless Rule, which allows the state to govern all U.S. Forest Service lands within its borders rather than leaving them to federal management.
Risch's Record Under Scrutiny
The Idaho Statesman's report also revisited moments from Risch's long Senate tenure that opponents have used against him, including that he fell asleep during Trump's 2020 impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate. The paper also noted a 2023 episode in which Risch was said to have attempted to divert aircraft noise away from his neighborhood near Boise Airport through a federal bill — an effort Risch denied making. Risch has described himself as a firm supporter of Israel and an opponent of federal regulations.
Risch cruised through the Republican primary earlier this year, winning the May 19 contest with 156,140 votes, or 67.26%, according to IdahoVoters.com. That site lists his general-election opponents as independents Todd Achilles and Natalie Fleming, 55, of Meridian, along with Libertarian Matt Loesby, 35, of Eagle. Achilles has proposed a 72-year age limit for members of Congress, per IdahoVoters.com. A fourth Senate candidate, David Roth, dropped out of the race in July.
Note on Conflicting Vote Totals
Separate figures circulating for Tuesday's results put Risch at 46.3% and Achilles at 44.6%, a notably tighter margin than the 49.1%-to-41.6% split reported by the Idaho Statesman at 10:03 p.m. The available information does not clarify whether the discrepancy reflects different points in the vote count or another reporting difference, and does not establish a final or certified outcome in the race.
Other Idaho Races on the Ballot
Idaho's 2026 general election, held Tuesday, Nov. 3, also featured contests in the state's U.S. House seats. In Idaho's 1st District, Republican Russ Fulcher was reported leading with about 59% of the vote compared with Democratic challenger Kaylee Peterson's 34%.
In the 2nd District, Republican incumbent Mike Simpson and Democratic challenger Ellie Gilbreath were tied at about 46% each in early returns, with other candidates sharing the rest.
