Jim Risch
Republican | Idaho
Candidate Profile*
Verified Conservative
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jim Risch
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
U.S. Senator
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
(Candidate did not provide)
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2017-18
100%
2017-18
100%
2019-20
100%
2015-16
100%
2014
100%
2020
100%
2018
100%
2017-2018
100%
2019-20
100%
2020
A
2017-18
100%, 98% (cum.)†
2015-16
96%
2017-18
95%
2019-20
94%
2019
31%, 93% (cum.)†
2019
86%, 92% (cum.)†
2019
92%
2019
79%, 86% (cum.)†
2019-20
96%, 86% (cum.)†
2019-20
70%, 85% (cum.)†
2019
B+
2019
80% (cum.)†
2019
75% (cum.)†
2017-18
|100%
2017-18
|100%
2019-20
|100%
2015-16
|100%
2014
|100%
2020
|100%
2018
|100%
2017-2018
|100%
2019-20
|100%
2017-18
|100%, 98% (cum.)†
2015-16
|96%
2017-18
|95%
2019-20
|94%
2019
|31%, 93% (cum.)†
2019
|86%, 92% (cum.)†
2019
|92%
2019
|79%, 86% (cum.)†
2019-20
|96%, 86% (cum.)†
2019-20
|70%, 85% (cum.)†
2019
|B+
2019
|80% (cum.)†
2019
|75% (cum.)†
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2018
C
2019-20
18%
2019
15%
2017
0%, 7% (cum.)†
2018
7%, 7% (cum.)†
2017-18
6%
2019
0%, 3% (cum.)†
2017
0%, 0% (cum.)†
2017
0%
2017-18
0%
2017-18
0%
2017-18
0%
2017-18
0%
2019
0%
2017-18
0%
2018
0%
2018
0%
2019
0% (cum.)†
2019
0%
2019
F
2017-18
0%
2018
|C
2019-20
|18%
2019
|15%
2017
|0%, 7% (cum.)†
2018
|7%, 7% (cum.)†
2019
|0%, 3% (cum.)†
2017
|0%, 0% (cum.)†
2017
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2017-18
|0%
2018
|0%
2019
|0% (cum.)†
2019
|0%
2019
|F
2017-18
|0%
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (6)
Campaign for Working Families
Donald Trump
*Family Research Council Action PAC
Huck PAC
National Right To Life
OTHER (1)
Pro-Israel America
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Republican National Committee (2019)
State Republican Party Organizations (2020)
WinRed (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (75)
21st Century Majority Fund (2019)
60 Plus Association (2014)
Alamo PAC (2019)
American Conservative Union (2008)
Battle Born PAC (2008)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Airline Pilots Association (2019)
American Association for Justice (2013)
American Wind Energy Association (2019)
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (2020)
National Rural Letter Carriers Association (2008)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
"The most basic right we humans have is the right to life. I am strongly pro-life and always have been. I will, therefore, only support legislation that protects and promotes human life, including the unborn."
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
Senator Risch supports defunding Planned Parenthood.
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
“A child that is born alive should be protected and cared for, regardless of its stage of development or the parents’ original intention. Allowing a human to suffer and die on a medical table without intervention is not who we are as Americans. It’s unconscionable that this bill failed the Senate today, but my resolve to protect the unborn is only strengthened. I will keep fighting for a child’s right to life.”
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Did not answer
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Did not answer
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
Our free market system has produced the greatest, most affluent culture the world has ever seen. Any legislation Congress enacts involving this system must be limited and carefully considered. Government cannot replicate what America's individuals, small businesses and corporations accomplish every year."
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
"To make these programs sound for future generations, we must begin reforming these entitlements now, while we are still able to make gradual changes and avoid lower benefits or massive tax increases that will severely impact beneficiaries in years to come."
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
"I do not support continued deficit spending. The path we are currently traveling down is unsustainable, and it is time we refocus on the core functions of government. Congress must work together to advance pro-growth policies that balance the federal budget and unleash economic opportunity for Idahoans and Americans."
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
Did not answer
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Did not answer
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Did not answer
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Did not answer
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Did not answer
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Did not answer
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Did not answer
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
"Ensuring that all Americans have access to quality, affordable healthcare is among the greatest challenges our nation faces. Our current healthcare system is too expensive and inaccessible to far too many. We must take action to improve it, but it is important there are thoughtful and deliberative discussions before any changes are implemented. I will not support taxing medical benefits, nor a plan that creates a government-owned entity."
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Did not answer
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
Did not answer
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
Senator Risch supports the border wall and supports border security.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
Did not answer
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Did not answer
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Did not answer
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
"The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was an executive action issued in 2012. Implemented by the Department of Homeland Security, DACA prevents the agency from initiating deportation proceedings on illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. before they were 16 years old and have lived in the U.S. for five years since their arrival. This policy, among others, has encouraged an influx of unaccompanied children attempting to cross the border. This year alone, nearly 60,000 unaccompanied minors have entered the U.S. illegally, and that number is expected to dramatically increase."
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Did not answer
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Did not answer
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
Senator Risch opposes adding sexual orientation as a protected civil right.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
Senator Risch is Catholic.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Did not answer
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Did not answer
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
"Those who violate our laws must be held accountable for their actions and punished for their crimes. I believe the punishment imposed by our judicial system must be appropriate to the crime to discourage and deter future criminal behavior."
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
"The Second Amendment is an individual right that must be maintained. Like our Founding Fathers, I oppose any abridgment of the right to keep and bear arms. I frequently exercise my Second Amendment right in shooting for sport and recreation."
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Did not answer
iVoterGuide Notes:
Senator Risch supports Israel.
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Did not answer
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Did not answer
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Did not answer
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Did not answer
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
