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U.S. Senate

U.S. Senate, Idaho

November 3, 2026 · 12 statements · 2026.09.23-ce35f2a3

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Candidates

Also on the ballot

  • Natalie Fleming Independent Not researched: below our published threshold
  • Matt Loesby Libertarian Not researched: below our published threshold

We research every Democratic or Republican nominee, every incumbent, and anyone who raised at least $50,000 (per the FEC) or reached 5 percent in a public poll. Methodology

Statements and positions

AgreeDisagreeNo clear position Select a position to see the evidence behind it.

Federal statements

EconomyNo. 01/12

The federal minimum wage should be raised above $7.25 an hour.

Background

The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour since 2009. States and cities can set higher minimums, and many do.

Todd Achilles Agree

Wages are just too damn low. If you're working 40 hours, you should be able to afford a home and not be struggling for groceries, to afford healthcare and put away some for your future.

Press quote · Aug 20, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.65)
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Jim Risch No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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TaxesNo. 02/12

Federal income taxes should be raised on households earning more than $400,000 a year.

Background

This would increase the federal income tax owed by the highest-earning households. Households below that income would not be affected by this change.

Todd Achilles No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Jim Risch Disagree

The American people gave us a mandate—secure the border, make the Trump tax cuts permanent...the One, Big, Beautiful Bill delivers on these priorities and provides working Americans with the largest tax cut in history.

Campaign or official site · Jul 1, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

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Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Low (0.50)
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Health careNo. 03/12

Federal premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans should be expanded.

Background

These subsidies lower the monthly cost of health plans bought on HealthCare.gov and state marketplaces. Expanding them would lower premiums for more buyers and increase federal spending.

Todd Achilles Agree

I will protect healthcare tax credits that help Idaho families afford coverage by working across party lines to pass needed insurance reforms.

Campaign or official site · Sep 23, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Low (0.55)
Review
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Jim Risch No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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ImmigrationNo. 04/12

Congress should fund more physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Background

This would pay for additional fencing or wall along the southern border. It concerns construction funding, not other kinds of border enforcement.

Todd Achilles Agree

We need a fence and a gate that works," said Achilles. "The border has gotten a little bit better over the last six months.

Press quote · Aug 22, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Low (0.55)
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Jim Risch Agree

Now is the time to finish the southern border wall. The WALL Act helps President Trump complete what he started in his first term and does it all without adding a dime to our national debt.

Campaign or official site · Jan 27, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.90)
Review
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GunsNo. 05/12

Federal law should require background checks for all gun sales, including private sales.

Background

Federal law requires background checks for sales by licensed dealers but not for most sales between private individuals. This would extend the requirement to private sales.

Todd Achilles No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Jim Risch No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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AbortionNo. 06/12

Abortion laws should be set by each state rather than by Congress.

Background

Since the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision, each state sets its own abortion laws. Agreeing means Congress should not pass a national law that either expands or restricts access.

Todd Achilles Agree

I support Idaho's Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act ballot initiative. My job is to represent the will of the people regardless of my personal beliefs. In that spirit of service, I commit to align my service in the Senate with the outcome of this ballot initiative.

Campaign or official site · Sep 23, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.65)
Review
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Jim Risch Agree

When the Supreme Court released its decision in Dobbs in 2022, the Court returned the power to determine abortion laws to the states.

Campaign or official site · Jun 27, 2024 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.85)
Review
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Energy and climateNo. 07/12

The federal government should expand oil and gas drilling on federal lands and waters.

Background

This concerns leases on land and offshore areas the federal government owns. It does not cover drilling on private or state land.

Todd Achilles No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Jim Risch Agree

These bills unleash some of our nation's greatest assets while increasing energy production, creating jobs, invigorating our economy, and strengthening our national security.

Campaign or official site · May 19, 2022 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

I also support expanded drilling for domestic oil and the development of other sources of baseload power, such as geothermal, biomass, natural gas, and clean coal.

Campaign or official site · May 19, 2022 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

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Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.85)
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Energy and climateNo. 08/12

The federal government should limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

Background

This would set federal limits on the carbon pollution power plants release. It concerns regulation by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

Todd Achilles No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Jim Risch Disagree

The President's 'Clean Power Plan 2.0' completely disregards growing energy demand, feasibility, and cost. We must embrace an all-of-the-above energy strategy and build reliable, baseload energy sources—not hamstring the ones we already have.

Campaign or official site · Jun 7, 2024 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.85)
Review
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EconomyNo. 09/12

The U.S. should keep broad tariffs on imported goods.

Background

Tariffs are taxes paid on imported goods. Since 2025 the U.S. has applied tariffs to imports from most countries, and this statement is about keeping them in place.

Todd Achilles Disagree

Here's your bill: $1,700. That is how much tariffs have cost the American taxpayer per household. I am running for the U.S. Senate to return taxpayer money to taxpayer pockets, where it belongs.

Official post · Jan 1, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Low (0.55)
Review
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Jim Risch Agree

President Trump has always been very clear that if he sees Americans being taken advantage of, he won't put up with it.

Campaign or official site · Jan 31, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
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Democracy and electionsNo. 10/12

Voters should have to show photo identification to vote in federal elections.

Background

Voter ID rules are set by each state today and vary widely. This would set one photo ID requirement for federal elections nationwide.

Todd Achilles Agree

Idaho already had appropriate identification requirements for voting.

Press quote · Aug 5, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

The SAVE Act is federal overreach... the equivalent of a federal voter registry.

Press quote · Aug 5, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.60)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Jim Risch Agree

We need to show identification to drive a car, board a plane, and perform so many other daily tasks. Why would we not demand the same for casting a ballot?

Campaign or official site · Mar 8, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
Medium (0.75)
Review
Not yet reviewed by a person.

Public safetyNo. 11/12

A president should be able to send the National Guard into a state over its governor's objection.

Background

Governors normally command their state's National Guard, but federal law lets a president take control of it in some situations. Since 2025, the use of that power to send troops into cities has been challenged in court.

Todd Achilles No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Jim Risch No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Foreign policyNo. 12/12

The U.S. should continue sending military aid to Ukraine.

Background

The U.S. has provided weapons and military funding to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion. This would keep that support going.

Todd Achilles No clear position

We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.

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Jim Risch Agree

Peace is only possible through strength. President Trump's work with our NATO allies ensures they cover the cost of weapons for Ukraine, and this bill will give him the tool he needs to do so.

Campaign or official site · Jul 30, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Risch welcomed the EU's decision to provide Ukraine with a $90 billion loan, though he expressed disappointment the EU Commission chose not to utilize Russia's frozen assets.

Campaign or official site · Dec 19, 2025 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026

Verification
Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence
High (0.80)
Review
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