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I Independent · U.S. Senate, Idaho · Nov 3, 2026

Todd
Achilles

Independent veteran and former Idaho state legislator challenging incumbent Sen. Jim Risch in 2026

Researched checked 7 d ago
sources
14
positions
9
endorsements
4
achillesforidaho.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Bluesky(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Jim Risch R+ 2 more Compare race →

Background

Todd Achilles is an independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Idaho, challenging incumbent Republican Senator Jim Risch in the November 3, 2026 general election. 58 He grew up on a family farm in Oregon and later served in the U.S. Army as a tank commander and armor officer before building a career in technology and telecommunications, including executive roles at T-Mobile and Hewlett-Packard. 721 Achilles holds a B.A. from Claremont McKenna College, an M.B.A. and M.A. in International Studies from the University of Washington, and an M.P.A. from UC Berkeley. 21 He was appointed to the Idaho House of Representatives for District 16B in February 2024 and won election to the seat that November, but left the Legislature in 2025 to run for Senate as an independent. 56 He currently serves as a Professor of Practice at The College of Idaho (since December 2025) and lives in Boise with his family. 2021

At a glance

Party
Independent
Running for
U.S. Senate, Idaho
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Professor of Practice, The College of Idaho; U.S. Senate candidate (Idaho, 2026)
Website
achillesforidaho.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 16
    news
    Achilles scheduled to visit Grangeville, Idaho on October 16

    According to a report dated October 10, Achilles had a campaign visit to Grangeville, Idaho scheduled for October 16.

    Achilles visits Grangeville Oct. 16 · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 7
    news
    Achilles pledges not to caucus with either party, signs two-term limit commitment

    At an Idaho Statehouse event in Boise, Achilles said he would not caucus with either major party if elected. He signed a notarized statement pledging to serve no more than two terms, hold town halls in all 44 Idaho counties every two years, and participate in public debates, committing to resign in 2039 if elected. 'I don't want to spend more than 12 years in D.C.,' he said.

    Independent US Senate candidate Todd Achilles says he won't caucus with either political party · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 1
    debate
    Achilles attends Caldwell candidates' forum; Risch declines to appear

    Achilles, independent Natalie Fleming, and Libertarian Matt Loesby discussed tariffs, military action, immigration, and federal spending at a Caldwell civic forum. Achilles argued Congress should reclaim tariff authority and opposed a $500 billion Defense Department budget increase. Risch's campaign cited concerns about organizer impartiality; the League of Women Voters of Idaho said no organizer had endorsed a candidate.

    Idaho US Senate candidates weigh in on tariffs, Iran War ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 30
    poll
    Peak Insights poll shows Risch leading Achilles 49% to 24%

    A Peak Insights poll fielded September 30 among 500 likely voters showed Risch at 49% and Achilles at 24%. The poll tracker identifies Peak Insights as Republican-sponsored and partisan, contrasting sharply with the earlier Advanced Targeting Research poll.

    www.callthemap.com › polls › SEN-IDIdaho Senate polls 2026: Risch vs. Achilles — every poll and ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 25
    news
    Idaho Statesman reports Achilles supports Proposition 1 on abortion

    Achilles was reported to support Idaho Proposition 1, which would expand abortion eligibility. Campaign spokesperson Crispin Gravatt said 'Todd believes every abortion is a tragedy' and that Idaho's existing laws are too restrictive and put mothers and babies at risk.

    Fact check: Where Idaho U.S. Senate candidates stand on abortion · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 22
    endorsement
    Democrats rally behind independent Achilles in Idaho Senate race

    The Associated Press reported that Democrats had rallied behind Achilles, a former Democratic Idaho legislator, in his bid against Republican Sen. Jim Risch.

    Democrats Turn to Independents in 3 Senate Races · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 18
    poll
    Poll shows Achilles leading Risch 50.1% to 38.5% in two-way matchup

    An Advanced Targeting Research poll fielded September 13–16 among 700 registered voters found Achilles at 50.1% and Risch at 38.5% in a two-candidate matchup. With Libertarian Matt Loesby included, Achilles led 45.5% to 39.4%.

    Politics & Poll Tracker on X: "Advanced Targeting Research poll | 9 ... · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 11
    controversy
    Achilles confronts Risch at public event over refusal to debate

    Achilles approached Sen. Risch at a public event on September 11 to ask why he would not debate. Risch's office described the interaction as a 'disrespectful online stunt.'

    Are political debates really necessary? Whatever you think, they're disappearing from the political landscape - Local News 8 · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 1
    endorsement
    American Federation of Government Employees endorses Todd Achilles

    The American Federation of Government Employees announced its endorsement of Achilles for Idaho's U.S. Senate race on September 1.

    Todd Achilles, U.S. Senate | Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Jun 18
    endorsement
    Forward Party endorses Todd Achilles for U.S. Senate

    The Forward Party announced its endorsement of Achilles on June 18, along with three other independent Senate candidates nationwide.

    Todd Achilles, U.S. Senate | Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  11. Feb 26
    filing
    Todd Achilles files as independent U.S. Senate candidate in Idaho

    Achilles filed on February 26, 2026, to run as an independent for Idaho's U.S. Senate seat. The Idaho Secretary of State listed the filing as approved. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

    Todd Achilles, U.S. Senate | Idaho Voter Guide · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Veterans for Idaho Voters (V4IV) organization
    The organization lists Achilles among its endorsed candidates for the November 2026 general election. No announcement date is stated on the endorsement page. v4iv.org
  • American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union
    AFGE, described as the largest federal employee union, announced its endorsement of Achilles. afge.org · Sep 1, 2026
  • Forward Party organization
    The Forward Party announced its endorsement of Achilles as part of a slate of independent Senate candidates. forwardparty.com · Jun 18, 2026
  • Independent Veterans of America organization
    The organization announced its first endorsement of 2026, endorsing Achilles for U.S. Senate. independentveteransofamerica.org · Apr 30, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$692K
Spent
$506K
Cash on hand
$194K

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6ID00146(opens in a new tab)

Sources 14

  1. [1] Achilles visits Grangeville Oct. 16(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  2. [2] Endorsed Candidates — Veterans for Idaho Voters (V4IV)(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  3. [3] Independent US Senate candidate Todd Achilles says he won't caucus with either political party(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  4. [4] Are political debates really necessary? Whatever you think, they're disappearing from the political landscape - Local News 8(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  5. [5] Todd Achilles for Idaho - Policies(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  6. [6] Todd Achilles, U.S. Senate | Idaho Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  7. [7] Idaho US Senate candidates weigh in on tariffs, Iran War ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  8. [8] www.callthemap.com › polls › SEN-IDIdaho Senate polls 2026: Risch vs. Achilles — every poll and ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  9. [9] Fact check: Where Idaho U.S. Senate candidates stand on abortion(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  10. [10] Democrats Turn to Independents in 3 Senate Races(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  11. [11] Politics & Poll Tracker on X: "Advanced Targeting Research poll | 9 ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  12. [12] Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Idaho's Todd Achilles for ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 1, 2026
  13. [13] Forward Party endorses first slate of Senate candidates for ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 18, 2026
  14. [14] Independent Veterans of America Announces First Endorsement of ...(opens in a new tab) May 1, 2026
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