# Jim Risch ## Summary U.S. Senator from Idaho since 2009. [[Senate Foreign Relations Committee]] Chair (2019–2021, 2023–2025, 2025–). Senate Intelligence. Senate Energy. Former Governor of Idaho (2006–2007, completing Dirk Kempthorne's term after Kempthorne became Interior Secretary). Former Idaho Lt. Governor. Attorney. Born **May 3, 1943** — will be 83 on election day 2026, 89 at end of a fourth term. ## Career highlights - University of Idaho (JD 1968) - Prosecutor, Ada County (1971–1975) - Idaho State Senate (1974–1988, 2003–2006) - Idaho State Senate Majority Leader; President Pro Tempore - Idaho Lt. Governor (2003–2006, 2007–2009) - Governor of Idaho (2006–2007) — completed Kempthorne term - U.S. Senate (2009–present); re-elected 2014, 2020 (62.6%) ## Senate career - Foreign Relations Committee Chair — one of the Senate's most senior R foreign-policy voices - Institutionalist posture on multilateral alliances; more measured than Cotton on Iran / IC policy - Intelligence Committee; Energy and Natural Resources Committee - Record of reliable R party-line voting with occasional procedural independence ## 2026: running for fourth term See [[ID-Sen-2026]]. Cook Solid R. No MAGA primary pressure despite Risch's hawkish and institutional profile — notable contrast to Graham (SC) and Cassidy (LA) who both face MAGA-lane challenges. **Age and longevity are the principal subtext**: a fourth term ends when Risch is 89; any mid-term health event would trigger gubernatorial appointment (Gov. [[Brad Little]], R). ## Related KB entities - [[ID-Sen-2026]] — his 2026 race ## Sources - [Wikipedia — Jim Risch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Risch)