MOST RATEDLmtribune
Idaho's U.S. senators vote in support of college sports bill changing transfer market, NIL deals
Risch joined Crapo in voting for the bill establishing national rules for college athletics.
Education78%
SITTING SENATOR · IDAHO · REPUBLICANSITTING SENATOR · IDAHO · REP
James E. Risch
James E. Risch has represented Idaho in the U.S. Senate since 2009. Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
A lawyer, Risch served as an Ada County prosecuting attorney, an Idaho state senator, lieutenant governor, and governor. Risch served as governor from 2006 to 2007 and as lieutenant governor from 2003 to 2006 and 2007 to 2009.
Risch attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1963, earned a B.S. in forestry from the University of Idaho in 1965, and received a J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1968. Risch taught criminal law at Boise State University before serving as Ada County prosecuting attorney from 1970 to 1974. Risch served in the Idaho Senate beginning in 1974, then returned in 1995 and served through 2002. Risch was lieutenant governor from 2003 to 2006, governor from 2006 to 2007, and lieutenant governor again from 2007 to 2009, before entering the U.S. Senate in 2009.Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Party
- Republican
- In Senate
- Since 2009
- Age
- 83
- Committees
- 6 · 1 chair
- Next election
- Nov 3, 2026
- SENATE SINCE
- 2009
- COMMITTEES
- 6
- AGE
- 83
TAP A TAB FOR RECORD, VOTES, BILLS & MORE
James E. Risch at a glance
NET READER RATING
▼ 3 PTS IN 30 DAYS+19
▲ 187 GOOD LOOK313 VOTES126 BAD LOOK ▼
COVERAGE MIX · 21 STORIES
Click a row to open that column below.SENTIMENT BY TOPIC
NETLATEST ACTIVITY
NEWSRisch campaign says rumors of using 1917 Idaho law to avoid Senate elec… Idahocapitalsun · Oct 2STATED POSITIONS
2026 ID U.S. Senate class 2 general election · 2026-11-03 · No sourced statements are available for this campaign yet.
James E. Risch’s record in the 119th Congress
- Participation
- 97%
- ▎ SENATE MEDIAN 98%
- Missed 26 of 915 roll calls this Congress.
- Party unity
- 100%
- ▎ REP MEDIAN 100%
- Level with the median Senate Republican.
- Bipartisan bills
- 39%
- ▎ SENATE MEDIAN 43%
- Share of sponsored bills with at least one Democratic cosponsor.
- Bill success
- 20%
- ▎ SENATE MEDIAN 11%
- Out of committee or further: 10 of 49 sponsored bills.
BROKE WITH PARTY
AUG 01Amendment: To limit disclosures regarding earmarksYEA
JUL 01Amendment: To terminate wind and solar creditsYEA
SENATE · 119TH CONGRESSJames E. Risch’s voting record
Bills sponsored by James E. Risch in the 119th Congress
49Sponsored
10Out of cmte
0Passed Senate
0Became law
SPONSORED · 119TH CONGRESS
Sponsored49
Out of committee10
Passed Senate0
Became law0
| BILL | TITLE · POLICY AREA | STAGE | COSPON. |
|---|---|---|---|
| S. 5374 | A bill to facilitate the conveyance of certain land in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, platted under section 2387 of the Revised Statutes, and for other purposes.PUBLIC LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES | Out of committee | 1 COSPON. |
| S. 2753 | Urban Canal Modernization ActWATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT | Out of committee | 2 COSPON. |
| S. 1257 | A bill to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to authorize the use of funds for certain additional Carey Act projects, and for other purposes.WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT | Out of committee | 1 COSPON. |
| S. 4726 | PEACE in Sudan ActINTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | Out of committee | 5 COSPON. |
| S. 2904 | SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act of 2026INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | Out of committee | 23 COSPON. |
| S. 2960 | Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan ActINTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | Out of committee | 13 COSPON. |
| S. 1801 | International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | Out of committee | 3 COSPON. |
| S. 1579 | PARTNER with ASEAN, CERN, and PIF ActINTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | Out of committee | 5 COSPON. |
| S. 1478 | Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | Out of committee | 2 COSPON. |
| S. 860 | BUST FENTANYL ActINTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | Out of committee | 3 COSPON. |
| S. 5484 | Affordable HOMES Act of 2026ENERGY | Introduced | 5 COSPON. |
| S. 5266 | Veterans’ Earned Benefits Access Act of 2026ARMED FORCES AND NATIONAL SECURITY | Introduced | 0 COSPON. |
Plus 330 bills cosponsored this Congress.
James E. Risch’s committee assignments
Foreign Relations
CHAIRSUBCOMMITTEESAfrica and Global Health Policy (Ex officio)East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy (Ex officio)Europe and Regional Security Cooperation (Ex officio)Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy (Ex officio)Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism (Ex officio)State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development (Ex officio)Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues (Ex officio)
SUBCOMMITTEESEnergyPublic Lands, Forests, and MiningWater and Power
SUBCOMMITTEESNo subcommittee assignments
SUBCOMMITTEESNo subcommittee assignments
James E. Risch’s career and background
PUBLIC SERVICE · 1970 – PRESENT
OFFICE
Prosecutor 1970–74Idaho State Senate 1974–89President pro tempore 1982–89Idaho State Senate 1995–02Lieutenant Governor of Idaho 2003–06
LEADERSHIPChair, Foreign Relations 2025–
ALSO: Majority leader 1976–82 · Governor of Idaho 2006–07 · Lieutenant Governor of Idaho 2007–09 · U.S. Senate · Idaho 2009–
- 2025 – NOWChair, Foreign Relations
- 2009 – NOWU.S. Senate · Idaho
- 2007 – 09Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
- 2006 – 07Governor of Idaho
- 2003 – 06Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
- 1995 – 02Idaho State Senate
- 1982 – 89President pro tempore
- 1974 – 89Idaho State Senate
- 1976 – 82Majority leader
- 1970 – 74Prosecutor
- BORN
- May 3, 1943 · Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- OCCUPATION
- Lawyer
- EDUCATION
- University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, 1963 · Bachelor of Science, University of Idaho, 1965 · Juris Doctor, University of Idaho College of Law, 1968
2026 election: Idaho Senate
NEXT ELECTION · CLASS II SEAT
29DAYS
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
LAST R+29.4ON THE BALLOT
STATED POSITIONS
2026 ID U.S. Senate class 2 general election · 2026-11-03 · No sourced statements are available for this campaign yet.
James E. Risch’s stated positions and sources
Stated positions for the campaign named below. Each summary keeps the conditions in the cited statement.
An unknown topic does not mean support, opposition, or indifference. An office statement describes what the candidate said in office; it is not automatically a campaign pledge.
How we research and check stated positions2026 ID U.S. Senate class 2 general election · 2026-11-03
Economy
Research is not yet complete.
Healthcare
Research is not yet complete.
Immigration
Research is not yet complete.
Education
Research is not yet complete.
Defense
Research is not yet complete.
Climate
Research is not yet complete.
Gun Policy
Research is not yet complete.
Abortion
Research is not yet complete.
Housing
Research is not yet complete.
Taxes
Research is not yet complete.
Voting Rights
Research is not yet complete.
Crime
Research is not yet complete.
Foreign Policy
Research is not yet complete.
Energy
Research is not yet complete.
Other
Research is not yet complete.
James E. Risch’s campaign fundraising and spending
- RAISED · FULL ELECTION · 2021–26
- $4.4M
- CASH ON HAND
- $3.5M
- SPENT
- $2.2M
WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM
- Individuals
- $2.1M · 68.5%
- PACs
- $897K · 29.5%
- Party
- $62K · 2%
AIPAC · 2025–26
AIPAC TRACKER →HOW WE COUNT →- THROUGH AIPAC PAC
- $562K
- Earmarked gifts · 371 donors
- $688K
- From the PAC itself
- $5K
AIPAC-BACKED SUPER PAC (UNITED DEMOCRACY PROJECT)
Earmarked gifts are part of Individuals above. AIPAC PAC filings through Aug 31.- SUPPORTING
- —
- OPPOSING
- —
TOP DONORS
Chouake, BenSelf · MEDICAL DOCTOR$12K
Salkini, JayRetired · RETIRED$11K
Frank, ShaneAlliantgroup · CONSULTANT$10K
Kteleh, TarekRheumatology Indiana · DOCTOR$10K
Kayali, ZeidSelf · PHYSICIAN$8K
Kallis, PatriciaRetired · RETIRED$7K
Silverman, JeffreyRetired · RETIRED$7K
Schnuck, CraigRetired · RETIRED$7K
Farr, LeliaRetired · RETIRED$7K
Farr, DavidRetired · RETIRED$7K
Totals by donor name from itemized FEC receipts: individuals and committees that gave over $200.CAMPAIGN SPENDING
Other$1.1M
Advertising$302K
Administrative$293K
Materials$105K
Fundraising$52K
How to contact James E. Risch
WASHINGTON, D.C.
483 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510(202) 224-2752Call (202) 224-2752ONLINE
Websiterisch.senate.gov
Contact formrisch.senate.gov
YouTubeSenatorJamesRisch
Facebooksenatorjimrisch
Write to Sen. RischIDAHO'S OTHER SENATOR
MOST RATED
Local News 8
U.S. Senator Jim Risch honors Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce for its 125th anniversary
Risch visited Pocatello to recognize the Chamber’s anniversary and presented it with a joint Congressional Record statement.
Economy80%
U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Heinrich, Risch Lead Legislation to Ensure Long-Term Funding for Community Infrastructure Projects in New Mexico Surrounding WIPP
Senator James Risch co-led the introduction of the WIPP Economic Assistance Assurance Act to support nuclear energy infrastructure.
Budget89%
foreign.senate.gov
Risch, Ricketts, Kim Introduce MATCH Act; Level the Global Playing Field for U.S. Tech
Senator Risch led the bipartisan introduction of the MATCH Act to strengthen export controls on semiconductor technology.
Economy89%
Globalsecurity
Risch, Daines, Murphy, Shaheen Introduce Bill to Increase American Prosperity, Repeal Outdated Jackson-Vanik Trade Restrictions
Senator Jim Risch introduced the bill to repeal Jackson-Vanik restrictions, citing the need to counter Russian and Chinese influence in Central Asia.
Defense86%
MOST RATEDAssociated Press
Canada's top military commander calls out US senator for questioning a woman's role in combat - AP News
Senator Risch faced criticism from Canada's top general after he questioned the integration of women in combat units at a security forum.
Defense53%
Idahocapitalsun
Risch campaign says rumors of using 1917 Idaho law to avoid Senate election are ‘completely false’
Risch’s campaign denied that he would use an old Idaho law to avoid the Senate election.
ElectionsINFORMATIONAL
Idahocapitalsun
In warning letter, VP Vance says Dems are ‘prepared to pour millions’ into Idaho to flip Risch seat
Risch’s campaign received a fundraising appeal from Vice President JD Vance as Risch faces Todd Achilles.
ElectionsINFORMATIONAL
Idaho Statesman
Fact check: Where Idaho U.S. Senate candidates stand on immigration
Risch is the incumbent senator seeking another term and supports border security and immigration-law enforcement.
ImmigrationINFORMATIONAL
Idaho Statesman
Fact check: Where Idaho U.S. Senate candidates stand on abortion
The article recounts Risch’s anti-abortion record and notes that he has not publicly stated a position on Proposition 1.
Abortion50%
MOST RATEDWonkette
Holy Ducking Shartballs, Competitive Races In Idaho And Florida Too?
Risch faces a challenge from Achilles and is criticized for his record on public lands and for refusing to debate.
Elections83%
Idaho Statesman
I can't tell what Sen. Risch does. Why should we send him back?
Bruce Smith argues that Risch should not be reelected, criticizing his votes and support for President Trump.
Elections80%
2paragraphs
GOP Senator Walks Away From Opponent's Challenge at 9/11 Memorial, "He's a Chicken"
Risch walked away after challenger Todd Achilles asked him to debate at a memorial ceremony.
Elections71%
MOST RATEDLmtribune · 4 MIN READ
Idaho's U.S. senators vote in support of college sports bill changing transfer market, NIL deals
Risch joined Crapo in voting for the bill establishing national rules for college athletics.
Record updated . ChamberLight is not an official government source. Reader ratings reflect public reception, not editorial judgment.