Jim Risch

Jim Risch (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. Senate from Idaho. He assumed office on January 3, 2009. His current term ends on January 3, 2027.

Risch (Republican Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. Senate to represent Idaho. He is on the ballot in the Republican primary on May 19, 2026.

Risch previously was a member of the Idaho State Senate from 1975 to 1988 and 1995 to 2002.1 He also served as lieutenant governor of Idaho from 2003 to 2006 and 2007 to 2009 and as the governor of Idaho from 2006 to 2007.1

Jim Risch was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee from 1961 to 1963 and went on to earn a B.S. in forestry in 1965 and a law degree in 1968, both from the University of Idaho. He was elected the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney in 1970. His professional experience also includes teaching undergraduate classes in criminal justice at Boise State University. Risch has served as a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, on Law Review, and as the president of the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association.2