Jim Risch

James Elroy Risch (born May 3, 1943) 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.

Raised in Milwaukee, Risch moved to Idaho in the early 1960s.

Risch attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee from 1961 to 1963 and then transferred to the University of Idaho in Moscow, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

After graduating from the University of Idaho, he received a B.S. degree in forestry in 1965 and earned a J.D. in 1968.

He obtained a B.S. degree in forestry in 1965, and continued his education at the university's College of Law.

He served on the Law Review and the College of Law Advisory Committee before receiving a J.D. degree in 1968.

Afterward, he taught criminal law at Boise State University, and in 1970 was elected as Ada County prosecuting attorney.

Risch entered politics in 1970 in Boise at age 27, winning election as Ada County Prosecuting Attorney.

While serving in this capacity, he taught undergraduate classes in criminal justice at Boise State College and served as the president of the state's prosecuting attorneys' association.

Concurrent with his service in the Idaho Senate, Risch became a millionaire as one of Idaho's most successful trial lawyers.

In 1974, he was elected to the Idaho Senate, where he represented the 21st legislative district from 1974 to 1988.

Risch was first elected to the Idaho Senate from Ada County in 1974.

He entered the state senate leadership in 1976, serving as majority leader and later as president pro tempore.

In a dramatic upset, Risch was defeated for reelection in 1988 by Democratic political newcomer and Boise attorney Mike Burkett.

In the second political defeat of his career, Risch lost the 1994 primary election for a state Senate seat to Roger Madsen.

Later that year Risch chaired Governor-elect Phil Batt's transition team, and after Batt took office he appointed Risch to the seat vacated by Madsen, who had been named as the director of the Department of Labor, then known as the Department of Employment.

In 1995, Governor Phil Batt appointed Risch to represent the 18th legislative district in the state Senate; he held the position until 2002.

In 1996, Risch was elected Senate Majority Leader after defeating fellow Boise Republican Sheila Sorensen.

In January 2001, Risch had his eye on the lieutenant governor's seat vacated by Butch Otter, who resigned after being elected to Congress, but Governor Dirk Kempthorne appointed state Senator Jack Riggs of Coeur d'Alene to the post instead.

The next year, Risch defeated Riggs in the Republican primary and won the general election, spending $360,000 of his own money on the campaign.

Risch ran for lieutenant governor of Idaho in 2002, defeating incumbent Jack Riggs in the primary.

He served under Governor Dirk Kempthorne from 2003 to 2006.

He also served from May 2006 to January 2007 as the 31st governor of Idaho.

After Kempthorne resigned to become the United States Secretary of the Interior in May 2006, Risch was sworn in as governor.

He chose not to run for a full term as governor in the 2006 gubernatorial election and instead ran for reelection as lieutenant governor.

As of mid-2006, it remains Idaho's most expensive legislative contest.

On May 26, 2006, Risch became governor of Idaho when Kempthorne resigned to become U.S. secretary of the interior.

Risch appointed Mark Ricks to serve as his lieutenant governor.

Upon taking office, Risch eliminated Idaho's bureau office in Washington D.C. and replaced it with offices in Idaho Falls and Coeur d'Alene.

In August 2006, he called a special session of the Idaho Legislature to consider his proposed property tax reform bill, the Property Tax Relief Act of 2006.

In December, he issued an executive order that mandated state agencies to verify whether new employees are legal citizens.

Risch was initially expected to enter the 2006 Republican gubernatorial primary to succeed Kempthorne, who was completing his second term at this time of his federal appointment.

But U.S. Representative Butch Otter had already announced his candidacy to replace Kempthorne and gained a significant head start in campaigning and fundraising.

After winning the nomination, he served under Governor Butch Otter from 2007 to 2009.

Risch ran for the U.S. Senate seat held by the retiring Larry Craig in the 2008 election.

He won the election, defeating Democratic nominee Larry LaRocco.

Risch was reelected in 2014 and 2020.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Risch is the son of Helen B. (née Levi) and Elroy A. Risch, a lineman for Wisconsin Bell.

His father is of German descent and his mother is of Irish, Scottish, and English ancestry.