Jim Risch

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James E Risch

U.S.A.

Party Republican
Latest Campaign U.S.A. Senate
Date of Birth May 3, 1943 (Age: 83)
Overall Community Sentiment: Neutral

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Overview
Community
Data
Personal Background

Jim Risch earned a B.S. in forestry and a J.D. from the University of Idaho. He began his career in public service as the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney and later served in the Idaho Senate from 1974 to 1988 and again from 1995 to 2002. Risch held the position of Lieutenant Governor of Idaho from 2002 to 2007 and briefly served as Governor in 2007. He has been a U.S. Senator since 2009, focusing on economic, environmental, and foreign policy issues.

Political Ideas

Jim Risch's political philosophy reveals a consistent alignment with conservative values, particularly in his advocacy for tax cuts, strong support for small businesses, and unwavering defense of Second Amendment rights. His environmental stance, however, juxtaposes traditional conservative skepticism towards regulation with a robust backing for agricultural and energy sectors, suggesting a pragmatic yet ideologically driven approach. Risch's foreign policy positions, particularly his support for Israel and NATO, coupled with his criticism of the Biden administration's handling of Ethiopia, indicate a strategic focus on national security and alliances. His social conservatism, evidenced by his anti-abortion stance and opposition to defunding police, presents a clear ideological profile, but his nuanced support for certain energy policies hints at a more complex, perhaps regionally influenced, strategic calculus.

Campaigns
2026: U.S.A. Senate
ACTIVE

Election History

Idaho Senate

Active

(Incumbent) Competing Candidates: David Roth , Todd Achilles

Idaho Senate Republican Primary

156,208 votes (67.30%)

Win
2020: U.S.A. Senate
ELECTED

Election History

U.S.A. Senator from Idaho

538,446 votes (62.62%)

Win

Position Details

Committee Membership
Energy and Natural Resources
Member
Subcommittee on Energy
Member
Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining
Member
Subcommittee on Water and Power
Member
Foreign Relations
Chair
Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy
Ex Officio
Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy
Ex Officio
Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation
Ex Officio
Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy
Ex Officio
Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism
Ex Officio
Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development
Ex Officio
Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues
Ex Officio
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Member
Select Intelligence
Member
Select Ethics
Member
2014: U.S.A. Senate
ELECTED

Election History

U.S.A. Senator from Idaho

285,596 votes (65.33%)

Win
2008: U.S.A. Senate
ELECTED

Election History

U.S.A. Senator from Idaho

371,744 votes (57.65%)

Win