As millions pour into Idaho’s US Senate race, Achilles raises more than Risch’s recent challengers

Independent candidate for U.S. Senate Todd Achilles has collected more than $1.8 in his campaign against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Risch — the most of any federal election challenger in recent years. 

Risch’s campaign has collected a total of around $4.1 million since the beginning of 2025, according to the most recent federal election campaign finance data reported by candidates on Oct. 14. Since 2021, the Risch campaign has garnered more than $5 million total. 

Achilles’ fundraising has surpassed former Democratic candidate Paulette Jordan, whose campaign for U.S. Senate in 2020 raised over $1.1 million. Jordan lost to Risch in that race.

“We are proud that so many people have put their trust in this campaign,” Achilles campaign spokesperson Crispin Gravatt said in an emailed statement. “The fact that we have raised the most of any Senate challenger in Idaho history without either party’s support. This is proof positive that Idahoans are truly independent- and excited for Todd!” 

Former Democratic Idaho Congressman Larry LaRocco raised more than $1.4 million in 2008 as he unsuccessfully sought to unseat Risch. In 1992, Democrat and former Idaho Congressman Richard Stallings raised more than $1.2 million in his unsuccessful run against Republican Dirk Kempthorne for U.S. Senate, according to FEC data. 

The Achilles campaign this election cycle has spent more than $1.7 million, and Risch’s campaign has spent over $4.7 million, according to federal campaign finance data. 

Risch will face challengers Achilles, Libertarian Matt Loesby and independent Natalie Fleming in the Nov. 3 general election. Loesby and Fleming did not file federal campaign finance reports.

The Risch campaign could not immediately be reached. 

Majority of Risch’s and Achilles’ contributions come from individuals, and Risch has also pulled in $1.4M from PACs 

Around $1.2 million of contributions to the Achilles campaign came from individual donors, according to an analysis of federal campaign finance data by the Idaho Capital Sun. 

Political Action Committees, or PACs, have contributed a total of $33,000 to his campaign, according to the most recently reported data. 

Achilles is his own top individual contributor, having given $33,500 to his campaign in contributions and a loan, the analysis shows. John Andrews of Seattle is another top contributor, donating $14,000. Most of his campaign contributions originated in Idaho, followed by California and Washington state. 

Risch’s campaign collected nearly $2.5 million from individuals and another nearly $1.4 million from PACs and political party committees. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, known as AIPAC, has donated more than $571,000 in total. The 2026 Senators Classic Committee PAC has contributed $71,600 in total and the National Republican Senatorial Committee contributed $62,000.  

Two of his top individual contributors are Jeremy Fingeret of Houston, Texas, and Ben Chouake of Englewood, New Jersey, who each contributed $12,000, according to the processed FEC data, which goes through June 30. 

Most of Risch’s campaign contributions have originated in Idaho, followed by Washington, D.C., and Virginia, campaign filings show.  

Risch outspends Achilles on Facebook and Instagram ads 

Risch’s campaign has spent more than $193,000 on social media ads through Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, according to the Meta Ad Library. The Achilles campaign has spent $18,700 on Meta ads, the report said. 

Between June 30 and Oct. 27, the Risch campaign was the top spender on Meta ads in Idaho, according to the ad library. His campaign was followed by a page called Our Idaho Stories, which has spent more than $78,000 and posts about reproductive healthcare and abortion. 

Opponents to the proposed abortion rights ballot initiative Proposition 1, called Stop Prop 1,  spent more than $63,500 on Meta ads.