Idaho Sen. Jim Risch seeks fourth term as fake DSA text circulates
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Idaho Republican Sen. Jim Risch is seeking a fourth six-year term and leads fundraising with $3.5 million.
An anonymous text falsely claiming a socialist endorsement has raised campaign-finance questions.
Background
Jim Risch is an Idaho Republican U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, now seeking a fourth six-year term. He faces Independents Todd Achilles, a former Democratic state legislator, and Natalie Fleming, a software developer and supply chain specialist, plus Libertarian Matt Loesby. The race is unfolding as affordability concerns and international conflict dominate, with challengers aiming to break Idaho's decades-long streak of Republican Senate representation.
How it unfolded
- Jan 15, 2025Risch, as Foreign Relations Committee chairman, questions Sen. Marco Rubio at his confirmation hearing at the Capitol.
- Oct 19, 2026A text blast claiming the DSA endorsed Risch is sent to registered Republican voters in Idaho; it is unclear who is responsible.
- Oct 19, 2026Idaho chapters of the DSA deny the endorsement, saying the mass texts did not originate with them and calling them fake.
- Oct 20, 2026A guest column by Rod Gramer says Risch could lead the Senate effort to stop Trump from buying Russian diesel and from lifting the Lindsey Graham sanctions.
- Oct 21, 2026Idaho Press reports Risch is seeking a fourth term; FEC data cited shows him leading fundraising with $3.5 million from Jan. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026, versus $1.5 million for Achilles.
- Oct 21, 2026In a KTVB interview, Risch makes the case for another term, citing his experience and conservative record.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The Idaho chapters of the DSA say the mass texts endorsing Risch did not originate with them and are fake, and that a real message would have focused on Risch's support for the Iran War and its effect on gas and grocery prices.
- Analysts
- Guest columnist Rod Gramer writes that Risch could lead the effort to stop Trump from buying Russian diesel and lifting the Lindsey Graham sanctions if he had the courage and will, and questions why he would want another six-year term if he cannot.
- Public
- Risch says the issue constituents most often raise is a desire for lower costs and worries about affordability, pointing to the federal ROAD to Housing Act as a positive step that will take time to come online.
Still unverified
It is unclear who is responsible for sending the mass text claiming a DSA endorsement of Risch; CBS2 reached out to Senator Risch's team for comment but had not heard back.