Jim Risch
Jim Risch | |
|---|---|
Risch in 2021 | |
| Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Ben Cardin |
| In office January 3, 2019 – February 3, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Corker |
| Succeeded by | Bob Menendez |
| Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee | |
| In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Menendez |
| Succeeded by | Jeanne Shaheen |
| Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – January 3, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | David Vitter |
| Succeeded by | Marco Rubio |
| United States Senator from Idaho | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Larry Craig |
| 39th and 41st Lieutenant Governor of Idaho | |
| In office January 1, 2007 – January 3, 2009 | |
| Governor | Butch Otter |
| Preceded by | Mark Ricks |
| Succeeded by | Brad Little |
| In office January 3, 2003 – May 26, 2006 | |
| Governor | Dirk Kempthorne |
| Preceded by | Jack Riggs |
| Succeeded by | Mark Ricks |
| 31st Governor of Idaho | |
| In office May 26, 2006 – January 1, 2007 | |
| Lieutenant | Mark Ricks |
| Preceded by | Dirk Kempthorne |
| Succeeded by | Butch Otter |
| Majority Leader of the Idaho Senate | |
| In office December 1, 1996 – November 30, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Newcomb |
| Succeeded by | Bart Davis |
| 36th President pro tempore of the Idaho Senate | |
| In office December 1, 1982 – November 30, 1988 | |
| Preceded by | Reed Budge |
| Succeeded by | Mike Crapo |
| Member of the Idaho Senate from the 18th district | |
| In office January 28, 1995 – December 1, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Roger Madsen |
| Succeeded by | Sheila Sorensen |
| Member of the Idaho Senate from the 21st district | |
| In office December 1, 1974 – December 1, 1988 | |
| Succeeded by | Mike Burkett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Elroy Risch May 3, 1943 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee University of Idaho (BS, JD) |
| Signature | |
| Website | Senate website |
James Elroy Risch (/ˈrɪʃ/ RISH; 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, and briefly as governor between their terms.
Raised in Milwaukee, Risch moved to Idaho in the early 1960s. After graduating from the University of Idaho, he received a B.S. degree in forestry in 1965 and earned a J.D. in 1968. Afterward, he taught criminal law at Boise State University, and in 1970 was elected as Ada County prosecuting attorney. He was elected to the Idaho Senate in 1974 and was a member until 1988. In 1995, he was appointed to the state Senate, where served until 2002.
Risch ran for lieutenant governor of Idaho in 2002, defeating incumbent Jack Riggs in the primary. After incumbent governor Dirk Kempthorne resigned to become the United States Secretary of the Interior in May 2006, Risch served out the rest of Kempthorne's term. Risch returned to being lieutenant governor under Butch Otter from 2007 to 2009.
Risch was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2008, and was re-elected in 2014 and 2020.