- OFFICE
- Senate
- STATE
- Idaho
- PARTY
- UNKNOWN
- STATUS
- Incumbent
- ELECTION
- 2026-11-03
The record (17)
FEC-recorded money between Second Amendment committees and this candidate, and recorded floor votes on gun bills, each with its official source. Community sentiment below never moves this grade.
- 2026-06-16PRORecorded money Accepted $5,000 from NSSF PACFEC Schedule B, committee C00480863, transaction 49E576B2ACEDF1A6477, 2026 cycle.
- 2026-05-27PRORecorded money Accepted $2,500 from NRA Political Victory FundFEC Schedule B, committee C00053553, transaction SB23.16, 2026 cycle.
- 2022-06-23PRORecorded vote Voted NO on S 2938 (117th), Bipartisan Safer Communities ActOfficial Senate roll call 242.
- 2017-02-15PRORecorded vote Voted YES on H J Res 40 (115th), Disapproval of SSA NICS reporting ruleOfficial Senate roll call 66.
- 2016-06-20PRORecorded vote Voted YES on S Amdt 4751 (114th), Grassley NICS amendment (2016)Official Senate roll call 103.
Contact James E Risch
- DISTRICT · 901 Pier View Drive Suite 202A · Idaho Falls, ID · 83402
- CAMPAIGN · Post Office Box 1247 · Boise, ID · 83701
Interest-group scorecards (6)
How advocacy groups on both sides score this candidate, reprinted as published. These are the groups’ judgments, not ours, and they never enter the grade above.
4 earlier ratings
- 2013-20140%
- 1991-20090%
- 1990-201660%
- 1990-201460%
About this group
The mission of the Brady organization and its Million Mom March is to create a safer America by cutting gun deaths in half by 2025.
The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.
11 earlier ratings
- 2021-202294%
- 202192%
- 202092%
- 2017-201883%
- 2015-201690%
- 201590%
- 201490%
- 201390%
- 2012100%
- 201188%
- 2009≈95%
About this group
Gun Owners of America (GOA) is a non-profit lobbying organization formed in 1975 to preserve and defend the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. GOA sees firearms ownership as a freedom issue.
The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.
About this group
We take the conservative policy visions outlined by our sister organization, The Heritage Foundation" (whose mission is: 'to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.' ) " and make them a reality. We ensure members of Congress hear directly from their constituents.
The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.
2 earlier ratings
- 2016-202292%
- 2014100%
About this group
The NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is NRA's political action committee. The NRA-PVF ranks political candidates - irrespective of party affiliation - based on voting records, public statements and their responses to an NRA-PVF questionnaire. NRA relies on a very simple premise: when provided with the facts, the nation's elected officials will recognize that "gun control" schemes are an infringement on the Second Amendment and a proven failure in fighting crime. The importance of this premise lies in the knowledge that, as one U.S. Congressman put it: "The gun lobby is people."
The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.
1 earlier rating
- 1998≈100%
About this group
The NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is NRA's political action committee. The NRA-PVF ranks political candidates - irrespective of party affiliation - based on voting records, public statements and their responses to an NRA-PVF questionnaire. [ ] NRA relies on a very simple premise: when provided with the facts, the nation's elected officials will recognize that "gun control" schemes are an infringement on the Second Amendment and a proven failure in fighting crime. The importance of this premise lies in the knowledge that, as one U.S. Congressman put it: "The gun lobby is people."
The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.
2 earlier ratings
- 202092%
- 2018100%
About this group
To promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 12,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations and publishers.
The group’s description of itself, reprinted as published.
Background
- Attended, University of Wisconsin
- JD, University of Idaho, 1968
- BS, Forestry, University of Idaho, 1965
- Professor of Law, Boise State University, 1972-1975
- Senior Partner, Risch, Goss, Insinger, and Gustavel
- Prosecuting Attorney, Ada County, 1970-1974
- Senator, United States Senate, 2008-present
- Senator, Idaho State Senate, 1975-1988, 1995-2002
- Lieutenant Governor, State of Idaho, 2002-2006
+5 more
- Governor, State of Idaho, 2006-2008
- President Pro Tempore, Idaho State Senate, 1982-1989
- Majority Leader, Idaho State Senate, 1976-1982
- Chair, Bush Presidential Campaign, Idaho, 1988
- Candidate, United States Senate, Idaho, 2020, 2026
What People Say.
Reviews build community sentiment as readers weigh in on where this candidate stands.
No community input yet.
Sign in to say where you think this candidate stands on the Second Amendment.