4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
4 candidates · ballot order · Jim Risch currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Second Amendment protections.
Energy independence and development of Idaho's natural resources.
Blocking what he describes as federal overreach onto state and private land.
Defending Idaho agriculture.
A hawkish foreign policy, which he now directs as Foreign Relations chairman.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Senator from Idaho since January 2009.
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee since January 2025.
Also serves on Energy and Natural Resources, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Intelligence, and Ethics.
Governor of Idaho in 2006; Lieutenant Governor 2003–2006 and 2007–2009; long service in the Idaho Senate including as president pro tempore.
Born May 3 1943; he is 83 and would be 89 at the end of a fourth term.
Won the May 19 2026 Republican primary with 67.3%, about 156,199 votes.
Endorsed by President Trump and AIPAC.
Arguments in favor
He has represented Idaho quite well, especially during President Trump's second term, and his chairmanship of the Foreign Relations Committee gives a small state real influence over American foreign policy.
— Dorothy Moon, Chair of the Idaho Republican Party
He has a consistent record protecting the Second Amendment, advancing energy independence, blocking federal overreach and defending Idaho agriculture and natural resources.
— Sen. Jim Risch's office and the Ada County Republican Party
He carries President Trump's endorsement and took two-thirds of the vote against three primary challengers.
— President Donald Trump, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun
Arguments against
Washington's two parties have let Idaho down — adding trillions to the national debt and siding with large corporations and special interests over working families, farmers and small businesses.
— Todd Achilles, his independent opponent
He has not protected Idaho's public lands or stood up to the corporate monopolies that have rigged the economy.
— Todd Achilles, his independent opponent
He is 83 and seeking a term that would end when he is 89, and even Idaho Democrats who think the seat is winnable have questioned whether he has faced a serious challenge in a decade.
— Spokesman-Review reporting on Idaho Democrats' assessment of the race
What we couldn’t verify
His response to the public lands criticism, which is the central issue Achilles is running on.
Whether he has addressed questions about his age or committed to serving a full term.
His position on tariffs and their effect on Idaho agriculture.
Paying down the national debt and fiscal responsibility.
Standing up to corporate monopolies he says have rigged the economy.
Independent leadership outside both national parties — 'not about left versus right, it's about top versus bottom.'
Accountability and common-sense governance.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Idaho State Representative, 2024–2025, elected as a Democrat; resigned his seat to run as an independent.
Backed the Idaho ranked-choice voting ballot initiative, which voters rejected by roughly 70-30.
Was a vocal critic of the Idaho Republican Party's presidential caucus.
Has held more than 100 public events across all 44 Idaho counties, with nearly 1,000 volunteers signed up.
Raised over $350,000 entirely from individual donors as of early 2026.
Backed by the Forward Party and by labour unions.
Arguments in favor
'I'm running because we need leaders who will protect public lands, pay down the debt, and stand up to the corporate monopolies that have rigged our economy.'
— Todd Achilles
He has built the best-organised challenge to Risch in at least a decade — over 100 events across all 44 counties, nearly 1,000 volunteers, and more than $350,000 raised entirely from individual donors.
— Post Register and 9b News reporting on his campaign
Running without a party label lets Idahoans who will not vote for a Democrat still vote against the incumbent, which is why the Democratic nominee stood aside for him.
— Idaho Democratic leaders, as reported by the Spokesman-Review
Arguments against
'There were two Democrats in this race. Now there's one. Changing your party label doesn't change your record.'
— Sen. Jim Risch, his Republican opponent
He is clearly out of step with the great majority of Idahoans — a vocal critic of the Republican presidential caucus, a major backer of the ranked-choice voting initiative that Idaho voters rejected 70-30, and one of the most left-wing Democrats in the statehouse.
— Dorothy Moon, Chair of the Idaho Republican Party
He is an independent in name only: 'He's always been a Democrat.'
— Thad Butterworth, Chair of the Ada County Republicans
What we couldn’t verify
Which party he would caucus with if elected, which determines control of the Senate; no statement from him on this was located.
His positions on abortion, immigration and health care.
Whether his fundraising has kept pace since the early 2026 figure of $350,000.
Libertarian Party platform positions; his specific 2026 policy positions could not be established from sources located.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Libertarian nominee for Idaho's 1st congressional district in 2024.
Won the Libertarian Senate primary unopposed on May 19 2026 with 100% of votes cast.
Longtime Libertarian Party activist in Idaho.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No coverage critical of him by name could be located, so no arguments against him are recorded here rather than substituting criticism of the Libertarian Party generally. With no criticism available, no arguments for him are recorded either.
His positions on public lands, the central issue of this race, and on every other policy question.
His 2024 vote share and any campaign finance filings.
Her 2026 policy positions could not be established from any source located.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Software developer.
Listed as an independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Idaho in 2026.
No elected office located.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Essentially everything about her candidacy beyond her occupation and party status.
No coverage critical of her by name could be located, so no arguments against her are recorded here. With no criticism available, no arguments for her are recorded either.
Confirmation of her ballot qualification from the Idaho Secretary of State, which was not retrieved; her inclusion rests on the Wikipedia race listing alone.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
There is no Democrat on the November ballot in Idaho. Realtor David Roth won the May 19 2026 Democratic primary with 61.9% but withdrew in late July, after Democratic leaders consolidated behind independent former state Rep. Todd Achilles, who had entered the race in July with their support. Roster established from the Idaho Capital Sun, the Spokesman-Review, the Post Register and NBC News, cross-checked. Republican incumbent Jim Risch won his primary with 67.3% over Josh Roy, Joe Evans and Denny LaVé. Matt Loesby was unopposed in the Libertarian primary. Natalie Fleming, a software developer, is also listed as an independent candidate but no substantive coverage of her could be located.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Idaho ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.