Senate race · 2026

Idaho Senate Race

Incumbent Republican Jim Risch is seeking a fourth term, facing challengers from Independent Todd Achilles and others. This race is described as potentially Idaho's most active U.S. Senate race in years.

All 2026 races

4 candidates · what each one campaigns on

Jim Risch

Republican · Incumbent

Currently: U.S. Senator

Jim Risch, 83, lives in Boise and is in his 18th year as a U.S. senator, after previously serving as an Idaho state senator, lieutenant governor, and Idaho governor.

Campaign platform

Support Law Enforcement
Risch's campaign website lists supporting law enforcement as a top issue.
JusticeSource
Cut Taxes and Spending
Risch's campaign website lists cutting taxes and wasteful spending as a top issue.
EconomySource
Fight for Idaho Farmers
Risch's campaign website lists fighting for Idaho farmers as a top issue.
AgricultureSource
Healthcare Reform
Risch wants to move the healthcare system significantly more back into the private sector, calling the Affordable Care Act 'a mess' that needs work.
HealthSource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Todd Achilles

Independent

Todd Achilles, 58, is a former Democratic state legislator who served in the U.S. Army and worked in tech and telecommunications for over 20 years.

Campaign platform

Reform Affordable Care Act
Achilles believes the Affordable Care Act is not working and needs to be reformed, criticizing the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits.
HealthSource
Protect Public Lands
Achilles believes Idaho's public lands need to be protected.
EnvironmentSource
Address Agricultural Migrant Worker Visas
Achilles agrees the nation's agricultural migrant worker visa program is a problem that needs to be addressed.
ImmigrationSource
End Two-Party Grip
Achilles believes Congress isn't working and that the grip of the two-party system on Congress needs to be broken.
DemocracySource
Reduce National Debt and Deficit
Achilles cites the failure to address the national debt and deficit as a key issue prompting his change in political affiliation.
EconomySource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Matt Loesby

Libertarian

Matt Loesby is a Libertarian candidate running for the U.S. Senate seat in Idaho.

Campaign platform

Reduce federal debt
Opposes routine debt limit increases and funding for agencies he sees as overreaching.
EconomySource
Defend individual liberty
Frames his candidacy as opposition to Washington overreach on personal freedom.
Democracy & GovernmentSource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Natalie Fleming

Independent

Natalie Fleming is an Independent candidate running for the U.S. Senate seat in Idaho.

Campaign platform

Protect homeownership from Wall Street
Proposes a federal-state framework returning residential property to families over corporate investors.
EconomySource
Common-sense immigration reform
Calls for a secure border paired with a functioning legal immigration system.
ImmigrationSource
Protect SNAP
Argues food assistance protects children, seniors and veterans and that cuts shift costs elsewhere.
Health CareSource
Limit mass surveillance
Proposes a Freedom From Surveillance Act restricting government tracking of citizens.
Democracy & GovernmentSource
Water and land stewardship
Framework for restoring groundwater and water cycles across the West.
Energy & EnvironmentSource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Platform items are drawn from candidates’ own campaign materials and public reporting, summarised neutrally. They are what a candidate says they will do — not a judgement about whether they will do it. Once a candidate is serving in Congress, their record moves to the The Informed Ballot profiles.