James Risch
Sourced recordU.S. Senate - ID
scores pass review
Profile Snapshot
James Elroy Risch is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the junior United States senator from Idaho since 2009. A member of the Republican Party, he served as Lieutenant Governor of Idaho under Governors Dirk Kempthorne and Butch Otter, and briefly as governor between their terms. (Source: Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0)
Five-pillar framework
Right for Office Score
Each pillar contributes 20%. Open a pillar to inspect every reviewed subcategory and its source-linked evidence.
Constitutional Government
20%The public record on individual rights, limited government, federalism, and constitutional checks and balances.
0 of 9 subcategories publishable · Insufficient Record—of 100
Constitutional Government
20%The public record on individual rights, limited government, federalism, and constitutional checks and balances.
Freedom of Speech
Religious Liberty
Second Amendment
Due Process
Separation of Powers
Limited Government
Federalism / States' Rights
Judicial Philosophy
Protection of Individual Rights
Life, Family & Human Dignity
20%The public record on life, family stability, parental authority, child protection, and human dignity.
0 of 9 subcategories publishable · Insufficient Record—of 100
Life, Family & Human Dignity
20%The public record on life, family stability, parental authority, child protection, and human dignity.
Sanctity of Life
Marriage
Gender & Biological Reality
Parental Rights
School Choice
Child Protection
Human Trafficking
Adoption & Foster Care
Family Stability
Integrity & Public Leadership
20%The public record on promises, ethics, transparency, consistency, accountability, and use of public power.
0 of 9 subcategories publishable · Insufficient Record—of 100
Integrity & Public Leadership
20%The public record on promises, ethics, transparency, consistency, accountability, and use of public power.
Promise Keeping
Honesty
Transparency
Ethics
Corruption Record
Financial Accountability
Abuse of Power
Consistency
Leadership Character
National Security, Law & Elections
20%The public record on national defense, borders, elections, law enforcement, public safety, and foreign policy.
0 of 9 subcategories publishable · Insufficient Record—of 100
National Security, Law & Elections
20%The public record on national defense, borders, elections, law enforcement, public safety, and foreign policy.
Border Security
Immigration Policy
National Defense
Veterans
Law & Order
Support for Law Enforcement
Election Integrity
Public Safety
Foreign Policy
Economic Stewardship
20%The public record on taxes, debt, spending, regulation, energy, growth, and small business.
0 of 10 subcategories publishable · Insufficient Record—of 100
Economic Stewardship
20%The public record on taxes, debt, spending, regulation, energy, growth, and small business.
Fiscal Responsibility
Balanced Budget
National Debt
Tax Policy
Inflation
Government Spending
Regulatory Reform
Energy Independence
Economic Growth
Small Business
An overall score appears only after all five pillars contain reviewed, publishable evidence. Missing records are never treated as zero.
Ratings & Endorsements
No sourced endorsements or ratings have been attached to this candidate yet.
Evidence & Sources
38/39 verifiedEvery item below is a stored record. 38 have a named source with a working link, 1 have partial sourcing.
- PartialJames Risch is a candidate for U.S. Senate - IDprofile identity· OpenFEC
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Confirmation: Antonio M. Pozos, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Confirmation: Daniel Mack Traynor, of North Dakota, to United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit
- VerifiedVoted Nay on A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Motion to Invoke Cloture: Daniel Mack Traynor to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Motion to Invoke Cloture: Antonio M. Pozos to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Confirmation: Michael C. Martin, of Michigan, to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Motion to Invoke Cloture: Michael C. Martin to be U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Confirmation: Benjamin M. Flowers, of Ohio, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Confirmation: Kara Marie Westercamp, of Virginia, to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of International Trade
- VerifiedVoted Not Voting on Motion to Invoke Cloture: Benjamin M. Flowers to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit
- VerifiedVoted Nay on A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model".
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Motion to Invoke Cloture: Kara Marie Westercamp to be a Judge of the U.S. Court of International Trade
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Confirmation: Jeffrey T. Kuntz, of Florida, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Motion to Invoke Cloture: Jeffrey T. Kuntz to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Florida
- VerifiedVoted Yea on An original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Confirmation: Matthew A. Schwartz, of New York, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit
- VerifiedVoted Not Voting on Confirmation: Arthur Roberts Jones, of T.X., to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas
- VerifiedVoted Nay on A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Motion to Invoke Cloture: Matthew A. Schwartz, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit
- VerifiedVoted Nay on A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations".
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Motion to Invoke Cloture: Arthur Roberts Jones to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Confirmation: Michael J. Hendershot, of Ohio, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Motion to Invoke Cloture: Michael J. Hendershot to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Confirmation: John George Edward Marck, of Texas, to be U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas
- VerifiedVoted Yea on Confirmation: David Clay Fowlkes, of Arkansas, to be U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas
- VerifiedRaised $4,431,093.48 in the 2026 cycle
- VerifiedPublic statement: Risch on the 250th Anniversary of American Independence
- VerifiedPublic statement: Risch Launches Idaho Service Spotlight to Recognize Outstanding Idahoans
- VerifiedPublic statement: Risch Applauds Supreme Court Ruling Upholding Idaho Women’s Sports Case
- VerifiedPublic statement: Risch Bills to Bolster Public Lands, Idaho Water Advance to Senate Floor
- VerifiedPublic statement: Risch Leads Request for Idaho-Based Veteran Business Outreach Center
- VerifiedNews coverage: AP: Jim Risch wins Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Idaho - KTVB
- VerifiedNews coverage: Three candidates challenge Risch in Republican primary election for U.S. Senate - Idaho Capital Sun
- VerifiedNews coverage: Risch, Secretary Wright Tout Idaho’s Future in Nuclear Energy, Express Support for ARC Act - Senator James Risch (.gov)
- VerifiedNews coverage: Risch Thanks Spring 2026 Interns in Washington, D.C. Office - Senator James Risch (.gov)
- VerifiedNews coverage: Congressman Moore, Senator Risch Lead Bicameral Amicus Brief Supporting West Virginia, Idaho Title IX SCOTUS Cases - Representative Riley Moore | (.gov)
- VerifiedNews coverage: Lava Ridge: Don’t Do It - Senator James Risch (.gov)
- VerifiedNews coverage: Idaho Senator Jim Risch Answers Listener Questions - Boise State Public Radio
Bills & Legislative Work
2026-06-17: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
2026-05-21: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
2026-04-30: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2160; text: CR S2180)
Voting Record Feed
Public Statements
ae17 elementor-inline-item" itemprop="datePublished"> July 4, 2026 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Risch (R-Idaho) shared the following statement on the 250th anniversary of American independence: “America is the greatest nation in the world. Not by a little bit, but by a whole lot. For 250 years, the United States has stood as a beacon of freedom, opportunity, perseverance, and innovation. This American spirit is alive […] Read More
ae17 elementor-inline-item" itemprop="datePublished"> July 3, 2026 BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today, on the 136thanniversary of Idaho statehood, announced the launch of the Idaho Service Spotlight, a new biweekly recognition of individuals whose exceptional courage, leadership, and sacrifice make a lasting difference in their communities. “Idaho is the greatest state in the nation because of the outstanding people who call […] <span class
e17 elementor-inline-item" itemprop="datePublished"> June 30, 2026 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today released the following statement on the Supreme Court of the United States decision upholding Idaho’s Title IX law protecting women’s sports. “Today’s ruling is a major victory for women, fairness, and the Gem State. Idaho was the first state in the nation to ban biological men from […] Read More
e17 elementor-inline-item" itemprop="datePublished"> June 18, 2026 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) celebrated the passage of his legislation to strengthen Idaho’s public lands, address important water infrastructure, and increase wildfire mitigation through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The three bills now await action by the full Senate. “There is no question that Idahoans care deeply about our public lands […] <span class="
e17 elementor-inline-item" itemprop="datePublished"> June 16, 2026 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) sent a letter to Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler requesting a Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) be established in Idaho to provide entrepreneurial support to veterans, service members, and military spouses. “Idaho is home to more than 120,000 veterans and 12,000 veteran-owned businesses. [. . .] These […] <span class="el
News They Are In
Promise Tracker
No sourced promise records have been attached to this candidate yet.