An Uncommon Contest in a Republican Stronghold
Idaho’s U.S. Senate race has become unusually competitive this cycle, with Republican incumbent Jim Risch, 83, facing a serious challenge from independent candidate Todd Achilles, 58, a former Boise Democratic state legislator. The contest marks a departure from Risch’s typical election experience in the reliably conservative state, where he has held his seat for nearly 20 years and won previous general elections by comfortable margins.
The race took shape after Democrat David Roth ended his campaign late last month. Roth remains on the ballot unless he formally withdraws by September 4. Libertarian Matt Loesby and independent Natalie Fleming are also running for the seat, but Achilles has emerged as the primary challenger to Risch.
Achilles has raised nearly $700,000 this year, a significant sum in Idaho politics. He told supporters that he is “speaking to roomfuls of Republicans who are just tired of the Idaho GOP, and they’re ready for something new.” Risch, meanwhile, characterized the shifting dynamics as routine, saying, “I know people are getting excited all of a sudden because I was running against two Democrats, and now I’m running against one Democrat. I’ve done that all my life.”, as first reported by the Idaho Capital Sun
Healthcare and the Tax Credit Divide
Both candidates have identified healthcare affordability as a pressing issue, but they diverge sharply on solutions. Risch called the Affordable Care Act “a mess” and supports moving the healthcare system back to the private sector. Achilles said the law needs reform but did not advocate for its overhaul.
The dispute reflects a broader national disagreement over federal healthcare policy. Congress allowed enhanced premium tax credits—implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to help lower-income Americans afford health insurance—to expire at the end of 2025. The U.S. House voted on legislation to extend the credits, but the bill did not advance in the Senate, leaving millions of enrollees facing higher premiums.
Election Security and the SAVE Act
The candidates also differ on voter registration requirements. The U.S. Senate is considering the SAVE Act, which would establish specific voter ID requirements to prove citizenship for voter registration. It is already illegal for non-citizens to register to vote or vote in federal elections.
Risch called Idaho’s elections “rock solid safe” and voiced support for the SAVE Act, characterizing concerns about the bill limiting eligible voters’ ability to participate as a “red herring.” Achilles called the measure “federal overreach,” arguing that Idaho already has appropriate identification requirements for voting. He drew a parallel to federal gun registry restrictions, asserting that the same principle—skepticism of federal registration systems—should apply to voter registration efforts.
Public Lands and Agricultural Workers
Both candidates have identified Idaho public lands protection as a priority and acknowledged that the agricultural migrant worker visa program requires attention, though neither has detailed specific policy positions on those issues.
Achilles has also called for proper staffing of federal agencies managing public lands, suggesting that resource constraints have hindered land stewardship in Idaho.
What Comes Next
The race will likely intensify in the coming months as the general election approaches. The outcome of Roth’s formal withdrawal deadline on September 4 could affect ballot dynamics. Risch’s long tenure and traditional Republican advantage in Idaho will test whether Achilles can translate his fundraising and anti-establishment messaging into electoral support, particularly among disaffected Republican voters.