And The Winner Is
Republican incumbent Jim Risch won the November 3 Idaho U.S. Senate general election, defeating independent Todd Achilles. Unofficial results from all 44 participating Idaho counties, as reported by the Idaho Secretary of State's 2026 statewide unofficial results as of November 4, show Risch with 401,280 votes to Achilles's 238,223, a lead of 163,057 votes. The results have not yet been certified.
Race Background
The general election field narrowed when David Roth, who won the Democratic primary on May 19, subsequently withdrew from the general election.
Risch had cleared the Republican primary with 67.3 percent of the vote, beating his nearest rival Josh Roy by 123,011 votes on May 19.
Money and Outside Spending
Risch held a commanding financial advantage: Achilles raised approximately 38 cents for every dollar Risch raised, with Risch reporting $5.01 million in total receipts against Achilles's $1.92 million, as of October 14, 2026. Cash on hand pointed in the same direction: Risch held $2.12 million to Achilles's $195,819 at the same filing date.
Outside spending broke almost entirely toward Achilles on the support side. FORWARD PARTY VICTORY FUND INC made three transactions in support of Todd Achilles totaling $105,000, with transaction dates from October 14 to October 21. UNITED INDEPENDENTS CAMPAIGN FUND disclosed a $14,800 transaction in support of Achilles on October 16.
WE THE PEOPLE IDAHO disclosed multiple transactions opposing Risch between October 20 and October 31, with individual amounts ranging from $31.37 to $38,375. GOA VICTORY FUND disclosed a $9,151.75 transaction in support of Risch on October 26.
Incumbent's Record
Risch first took office in 2009 and has served 17 years as of the 2026 election. The Senate's official committee assignments page lists Risch as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations.
In the 119th Congress, Risch sponsored a range of legislation, including:
- S. 119, the No Retaining Every Gun In a System That Restricts (REGISTRATION) Act
- S. 860, the BUST FENTANYL Act
- S. 1478, the Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025
- S. 2753, the Urban Canal Modernization Act
- S. 4621, the SILVER Act
- S. 5254, the Civil Nuclear Export Act of 2026
- S. 5266, the Veterans' Earned Benefits Access Act of 2026
- S.Res. 98, a resolution condemning Beijing's destruction of Hong Kong's democracy and rule of law
Campaign Context
The race's most-discussed attacks came primarily from Achilles against Risch, with one counter from the Risch campaign.
According to the Idaho Statesman on October 23, Achilles's campaign used billboards and buttons highlighting Risch's age, arguing Risch should not receive another six-year term without campaigning or debating.
According to the Spokesman-Review on October 26, Achilles accused Risch of "hiding from voters" by declining public events and debate invitations, and argued that Risch's votes on the Iran war, Epstein files, and veterans' benefits did not reflect conservative or Idaho values.
A Risch campaign mailer, also reported by the Spokesman-Review on October 26, called Achilles "two-faced" and cited his prior service as a Democrat, donations to Democrats, and votes against certain Republican-backed state measures.
Pre-Election Indicators
Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball each rated the race Solid Republican as of November 3.
The Silver Bulletin polling average as of October 22 showed Risch leading Achilles by 16 points, 51.1 percent to 35.1 percent, with 13.8 percent undecided, based on 14 polls with a combined sample of 2,026.
What's Next
The timing to certify this election will immediately follow Idaho's standard canvass process.
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