Independent challenger calls on Risch to do three public debates ahead of Idaho’s general election
May 21, 2026 | 6:25 am ET
Description
"I voted" stickers sit ready for voters during the May 19, 2026, primary election at The Waterfront in Idaho Falls. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Todd Achilles announced Wednesday he’s calling for incumbent U.S. Sen. Jim Risch to do a series of public debates ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Risch won his Republican primary contest Tuesday night with nearly 67% of the vote over three challengers, the Idaho Capital Sun reported. He will go on to face Achilles, independent Natalie Fleming, Democrat David Roth, and Libertarian Matt Loesby.
Independents are not affiliated with any political party and do not participate in partisan primary elections.
Achilles said in a press release Wednesday that he congratulated Risch on his primary victory and then proposed they participate in three statewide debates in August, September and October.
“Idaho deserves a public debate,” Achilles said in the release. “Idaho voters have been denied the opportunity to see candidates stand side-by-side, answer tough questions, and defend their records in front of the public.”
Risch’s campaign could not be immediately reached for comment.
Risch hasn’t participated in some past public TV debates
Ahead of the 2020 general election, Risch participated in the Idaho Public Television “Idaho Debates” event with Democrat Paulette Jordan and independent Natalie Fleming, which took place over Zoom.
Before the 2014 general election, Risch and Democratic challenger Nels Mitchell participated in a KTVB televised debate, the news station reported at the time. It was their only debate ahead of that November election.
In his 2006 run for lieutenant governor, Risch declined to participate in the live public television debate after the station refused his request to appear separately from his opponent Democrat Larry LaRocco to answer questions, the Associated Press reported at the time. Risch said then that he was concerned about “disruptive behavior” from his opponent.
In 2008, he again skipped the public TV debate for the May Republican primary and again appeared in the taped KTVB debate, the Spokesman-Review reported.
Boise, ID
