James Elroy Risch was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and moved to Idaho in the early 1960s. He earned a B.S. in forestry in 1965 and a J.D. in 1968, both from the University of Idaho. Before entering federal service, he served as Ada County Prosecuting Attorney starting in 1970 and taught criminal law at Boise State University. He served in the Idaho State Senate from 1975 to 1988 and again from 1995 to 2002. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Idaho in 2002, served as Governor from 2006 to 2007, and has been a U.S. Senator since 2009. He is currently 82 years old and will be 83 on Election Day 2026. If reelected, he would be 89 at the end of his fourth term.
Risch has had a long political career spanning over 50 years, beginning as Ada County Prosecuting Attorney in 1970. He served 14 years in the Idaho State Senate (with a gap), was elected Lieutenant Governor, briefly served as Governor when Dirk Kempthorne resigned, and has represented Idaho in the U.S. Senate for 18 years. He operates a successful Angus ranch and has other business interests. Risch is known as a serious, deliberate politician focused on foreign policy and fiscal conservatism. He is a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and served on the University of Idaho Law Review.
Strongly conservative voting record
The American Conservative Union's Center for Legislative Accountability gives him a lifetime conservative score of 91.54. Americans for Democratic Action gave him an ideology score of zero in 2019.
Voting History: Consistently votes with conservative positions on fiscal, social, and defense issues
Anti-abortion
Co-sponsored the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act in 2013 and supported the June 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, applauding the Supreme Court for recognizing state interests in protecting life.
Voting History: Voted to restrict abortion access; consistent anti-abortion voting record
Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee
As Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he shapes U.S. foreign policy. Sponsored reports on NATO strengthening and China, and condemned atrocities in Sudan.
Voting History: Primary sponsor of bills including Countering Wrongful Detention Act, International Nuclear Energy Act, and Western Hemisphere Partnership Act
Proponent of nuclear energy and state-level resource control
Supports nuclear energy projects at Idaho National Laboratory and worked on the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act. Advocates returning natural resource management to the states.
Voting History: Sponsored bills related to nuclear energy innovation and public lands management
Risch has been a prolific legislator with 20 bills enacted as primary sponsor. His voting record is consistently conservative, ranking 5th most politically right among senators serving 10+ years as of 2024. He sponsors bills primarily in foreign policy, energy, and veterans affairs.
| Bill | Title | Vote | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S. 1478 | Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025 | Yea | 2025 | Primary sponsor of enacted legislation addressing wrongful detention of Americans abroad |
| S. 1801 | International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025 | Yea | 2025 | Primary sponsor promoting international nuclear energy cooperation |
| S. 860 | BUST FENTANYL Act | Yea | 2024-2025 | Primary sponsor of legislation addressing fentanyl trafficking |
| S. 3985 | State Boating Act | Introduced | 2026-03-04 | Recently introduced bill on boating regulation |
Campaign communications emphasize his conservative record, work with President Trump, and focus on reducing government while protecting Idaho interests. Tone is professional and institutional rather than populist.
Risch voted against the CHIPS Act (which funded Micron's expansion in Boise) and against the PACT Act (which expanded health care for veterans exposed to toxic burn pit chemicals)
Achilles criticized Risch's 2022 voting record, saying 'If you're going to vote to send them to war, you better vote to take care of them when they get back'
Risch could have protected Idaho's rural hospitals from closure if he wanted to
Achilles argued that Risch, as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and close to Trump, had the influence to protect hospitals but chose not to use it. Approximately 75,000 Idahoans lack health coverage according to Achilles.
Risch has lost touch with constituents' needs and rarely responds to concerns in meaningful ways, often voting against their interests
Roth criticized Risch's voting record on healthcare for veterans, affordable prescription drugs, and investments in Idaho