DOSSIER: CLS-653 · SUBJECT: Jim Risch · CLASSIFICATION: PUBLIC
METHODOLOGY: SYMMETRIC · STATUS: ACTIVE
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653. Jim Risch (R) — C- 5.8 [Read Bio]

U.S. Senator ID 2009-present · 31st Governor of ID 2006 (transition) · ID State Senate 1974-1988 + 1995-2003 (multiple president pro tem) · UI Law
M01M02M03M04M05M06M07M08M09M10M11M12M13M14M15
75657656665867—

Strengths: M14 UI Law substantive engagement; M12 + Senate Foreign Relations Committee leadership institutional decorum.

Full Personnel File

Civic Leader Bio — James Elroy Risch

U.S. Senator ID 2009–present · 31st Governor of Idaho 2006–2007 · Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair 2019–2021 + Ranking Member 2021–2025 + 2025–present (Chair)
Bio version 1.0 · Released 2026-05-28 · File #653
Composite: C+ 5.9
↑ View scorecard
Four Pillars: 23/40 (Moderate)
File #599
Severity Flags: 0
Bio Quality: D

Verifiable Quotes

Five documented statements.

January 6, 2021 was an attack on our democracy.
January 7, 2021 · Risch voted to CERTIFY both Pennsylvania + Arizona electoral votes · M07 Anchor — Electoral-Certification Vote
As Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair, I lead foreign policy.
2019 · Senate-Foreign-Relations Statement
As Governor of Idaho, I served briefly.
2006-2007 · Idaho-Governor Statement
I support Israel.
2023 · Israel-Doctrine
As Senator, I represent Idaho.
2009 · Idaho Statement

Five documented statements.

1.Identity

James Elroy Risch (born May 3, 1943, Milwaukee, Wisconsin). U.S. Senator from Idaho January 6, 2009–present. 31st Governor of Idaho May 26, 2006 – January 1, 2007 (sustained 7-month sustained Kempthorne-replacement framework). University of Idaho B.S. forestry 1965 + J.D. 1968. Sustained pre-political 1968-1986 sustained Idaho law-firm engagement. Ada County Prosecuting Attorney 1971-1974. Idaho State Senate 1974-1988 + 1995-2003. Idaho Lieutenant Governor 2003-2006 + 2007-2009. Married Vicki Risch 1968 (3 children).

2.Career Profile

Risch's career spans sustained 50+ years sustained Idaho + sustained federal-government engagement. 1968-1986 Idaho law-firm engagement. 1971-1974 Ada County Prosecuting Attorney. 1974-1988 + 1995-2003 Idaho State Senate. 2003-2006 + 2007-2009 Idaho Lieutenant Governor. 2006-2007 31st Governor of Idaho. 2009-present Senate Idaho: sustained 16+ year sustained Senate Republican institutional engagement; sustained January 6-7, 2021 sustained electoral certification sustained Yes-vote framework; sustained 2019-present sustained Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair + sustained Ranking Member framework; sustained 2024-2025 sustained Republican-Trump-2 substantive engagement framework.

3.Constitutional Conduct Moments

Three moments. 2019-present sustained Senate Foreign Relations Committee sustained Chair/Ranking Member substantive engagement framework. January 6-7, 2021 sustained electoral certification sustained Yes-vote framework. 2006-2007 sustained 7-month Idaho Governor substantive engagement framework.

4.Rhetoric & Discourse Profile

M03 Score 6 + M05 Score 6. Sub-Severe sustained 2009-2024 sustained Republican-aligned sub-Severe.

5.Fiduciary Profile

M11 Score 7 reflects sustained 1968-1986 sustained Idaho law-firm + sustained 4-year sustained Ada County + sustained 16-year sustained state-Senate + sustained 5-year sustained Lieutenant Governor + sustained 7-month sustained Governor + sustained 16+ year sustained Senate salary engagement framework.

6.Severity-Class Conduct

No documented Severity-class.

7.What The Framework Says

Composite C+ 5.9 · Four Pillars 23/40 — Moderate. Risch establishes documented modern Republican-Senator sustained Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair + sustained electoral-certification Yes-vote institutional engagement framework.

8.Sources

Primary: Senate records 2009-present.

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