UPDATE: Former Idaho senator Todd Achilles is launching a bold campaign to unseat three-term incumbent Jim Risch in the upcoming U.S. Senate elections, emphasizing a message of economic reform and dissatisfaction with the current political system. As the race heats up, Achilles believes that Idahoans are ready for change in a state long dominated by Republican leadership.
During a recent visit to the Lewiston Tribune, Achilles declared, “The core issue that I hear again and again from folks on the right, the left or in the middle, is it’s the rigged economy, and it’s just not working.” He argues that approximately 60% of Idahoans do not earn a livable wage, highlighting the urgent need for economic reform in the state.
Achilles, a 58-year-old Boise resident, is advocating for policies that challenge corporate monopolies and push for higher wages. He aims to leverage the growing dissatisfaction among voters to gain traction against Risch, who is 82 years old and seeking a fourth term. Achilles believes that if he and other independent candidates succeed, they could shift the balance of power in the Senate and influence its agenda.
“We’d be the tie breakers and given how the Senate functions, we’d effectively set the agenda for the Senate,” Achilles stated, outlining his vision for a new political dynamic.
Achilles’s background includes military service as an Army tank commander and a two-decade career in the tech industry. He now teaches public policy at local universities and has a keen focus on the influence of large tech firms on the housing market. “Rents in the Treasure Valley and Coeur d’Alene have increased three times faster than inflation,” he explained. “That doesn’t happen in a competitive market. That happens in a rigged market.”
His campaign is also addressing healthcare issues, criticizing companies for keeping employees just under full-time status to avoid providing benefits. “It’s a function of ‘how do you exploit the community,’ rather than ‘how do you contribute to the community’,” Achilles said, emphasizing the need for systemic change.
In addition to economic issues, Achilles is voicing concerns about a recently announced plan for Mountain Home Air Force Base to host Qatari jet fighters. He criticized Risch for not adequately informing the public about the implications of this decision, stating, “If this was good for American security, they should get out in the communities and explain it.”
As he tours the state, Achilles seeks to connect with voters and share his vision for a more equitable Idaho. He argues that Risch is out of touch with the electorate, suggesting that many Idahoans are unaware of who he is or disapprove of his leadership. “I think roughly a quarter of Idaho voters don’t even know who he is and those that do don’t really like him,” Achilles stated, underscoring the urgency of his campaign.
With the election drawing near, Achilles aims to harness voter frustration to propel his independent bid forward. His campaign is rapidly gaining attention, and with it, the potential for a significant shift in Idaho’s political landscape. As the race develops, all eyes will be on whether an independent candidate can indeed challenge the long-standing Republican dominance in the state.
Stay tuned for more updates as this high-stakes Senate race unfolds.
