Risch, Jim (1943-…), a Republican from Idaho, became a United States senator in 2009. He had earlier served as governor of Idaho in 2006 and 2007. He also served as Idaho’s lieutenant governor on two occasions, from 2003 to 2006 and from 2007 to 2009.
James Elroy Risch was born in Milwaukee on May 3, 1943. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1961 to 1963, before receiving a B.S. degree in forest resources management from the University of Idaho in 1965. He earned a J.D. degree from the University of Idaho in 1968. Risch worked as a prosecuting attorney in Idaho’s Ada County from 1970 to 1974. He served in the Idaho Senate—often in positions of leadership—from 1974 to 1989 and from 1995 to 2003. Risch also worked as a teacher, rancher, and small business owner.
Risch was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2008. He was reelected in 2014 and 2020. In the Senate, Risch has served on the committees on Energy and Natural Resources, Foreign Relations, and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He also served on the Select Committee on Intelligence.
