Boise, Idaho — New independent polling confirms that in a state where no challenger has come close to unseating a U.S. Senator in more than a decade, Todd Achilles is building something Idaho hasn’t seen in a long time: a serious, statewide, Idaho-First, independent campaign for the U.S. Senate.
With nearly 1,000 volunteers signed up, surging past 100 public events held across all 44 Idaho counties, over $350,000 raised entirely from individual donors, and a wave of statewide and national media attention, Achilles has become the strongest and best-organized challenger to three-term Senator Jim Risch in at least a decade, and arguably ever.
“The two parties in Washington have let Idaho down,” said Achilles. “They have added trillions to the national debt and too often sided with large corporations and special interests over working families, farmers, and small businesses. Idahoans want principled, independent leadership rooted in common sense, fiscal responsibility, and accountability.”
A new Public Policy Polling survey of 639 Idaho voters, conducted March 16–17, 2026, shows growing demand for change.
Senator Risch’s job approval is underwater: 39% of Idaho voters disapprove of his performance, while only 32% approve. Seventy percent of voters say they are concerned about his age, of which 47% say they have serious concerns about him serving another term.
In a head-to-head matchup, Achilles leads Risch 41% to 38% — a striking result in one of the nation’s most Republican states.
“These numbers match what we are hearing across Idaho,” Achilles said. “Voters want a senator who will stand up to monopolies, defend free markets, protect small businesses and producers, safeguard families online, and remain sharp and effective for the full six-year term. They want someone who will
show up, listen, and fight for all Idahoans. I intend to be that senator.”
Senator Risch has built a $3.5 million war chest backed by party insiders, corporate PACs, and special interests. Less than 5% of his donations came from Idahoans. Achilles has built his campaign the old-fashioned way: one town hall, one conversation, and one donor at a time.
The numbers tell a story of momentum. The campaign is building a grassroots army of Republicans, Democrats and Independents that reaches into every corner of the state, from Boundary county to Bear Lake, and Canyon to Clark. In nearly 100 events across all 44 counties, Achilles shows up and listens to Idahoans’ concerns. In contrast, Senator Risch has not held an open, public town hall since entering the Senate in 2009 — 16 years of avoiding voters from a man who is asking Idahoans for another six.
Achilles is part of a national movement, running alongside four other Independent military veterans for the U.S. Senate in 2026, with a shared goal of denying both parties outright control of the chamber.
According to non-partisan Pew Research, 86% of Americans believe Republicans and Democrats are more focused on fighting each other than on solving problems.
If even a handful of these candidates win, the math changes dramatically in Washington. Neither party would hold a majority. Every vote would matter. First time in a generation, Independent voices, answering to voters, not corporate donors, would hold real leverage over the direction of the country. These veterans are committed to nothing less than the revitalization of American government.
The polling and demographic trends increasingly support Achilles’ momentum. Roughly 30% of Idaho’s registered voters identify as Independents, twice the number of registered Democrats. The 2025 Boise State University Idaho Public Policy Survey found that over 60% of Idaho voters have some degree of Independent affiliation. Among newer residents, 38% identify as Independent, a nine-point jump from the prior year. Nationally, Gallup reported that an all-time high 45% of all voters now identify as independent.
Independents are America’s largest voting bloc. Achilles has drawn consistent coverage from Idaho’s largest news outlets, including the Idaho Press,
Idaho Statesman, Post Register, Idaho State Journal, Coeur d’Alene Press, Lewiston Tribune, KTVB, as well as national attention for his role in the broader Independent Veteran movement. “This campaign is about restoring trust, accountability, and effective representation,” Achilles said. “Idaho
deserves a senator who answers to the people of this state not party bosses, corporate PACs, or Washington insiders. America won’t make it to her 260th birthday if we don’t restore government of, by and for the people.”
Todd Achilles, 58, is an Army veteran, former state legislator, public policy professor, and technology executive. He grew up on a family farm, served as a U.S. Army tank commander and armor officer, spent over 20 years in senior leadership roles at T-Mobile, Hewlett-Packard, and several technology startups, and served in the Idaho House of Representatives before resigning in July 2025 to launch his U.S. Senate campaign. He lives in Boise with his family.