UPDATE: Former Idaho Senator Todd Achilles is making a bold bid for the U.S. Senate, challenging three-term incumbent Jim Risch in the upcoming 2024 midterm elections. Just announced, Achilles believes his independent campaign can harness widespread discontent with the current political system and economic inequities across Idaho.
Achilles, a resident of Boise, claims that over 60% of Idahoans struggle to earn a livable wage, highlighting the urgency of his campaign. “Idahoans can’t afford to live in Idaho,” he stated during a visit to the Lewiston Tribune on October 25, 2023. “We need to break up the monopolies and restore livable wages.” His message resonates with voters across the political spectrum who feel the economy is rigged against them.
Achilles, 58, aims to disrupt the traditional two-party system. If successful, he believes a coalition of independents could effectively control the Senate agenda, stating, “We’d deny the majority to either party.” His vision hinges on the idea that if Democrats gain two Senate seats and two independents win, the chamber would consist of 49 Republicans, 47 Democrats, and four independents. This configuration would empower independents to dictate legislative priorities.
Challenging Risch, who is 82 and seeking a fourth term, Achilles has been actively engaging with voters statewide. He brings a diverse background, including service in the Army and a lengthy career in the tech industry. Currently, he teaches public policy at multiple universities, including Boise State and the University of California – Berkeley.
A key part of Achilles’ platform includes addressing the growing influence of tech monopolies on Idaho’s housing market, claiming that rents in the Treasure Valley have surged three times faster than inflation. “This doesn’t happen in a competitive market,” he emphasized. He also criticized large corporations for exploiting workers by keeping them under full-time thresholds to avoid providing health insurance, forcing many onto government assistance.
On environmental issues, Achilles supports a comprehensive reform of the Affordable Care Act, rather than a single-payer system. He praised Rep. Mike Simpson for proposing a $33.5 billion initiative to save Snake River salmon, but he insists on the need for a more transformative approach to environmental policy.
Achilles also voiced concerns over the recent announcement of the Mountain Home Air Force Base hosting Qatari jet fighters, criticizing Jim Risch for not adequately engaging with constituents about such significant developments. “If this was good for American security, they should explain it in the communities,” he remarked, highlighting a perceived lack of transparency from Risch.
Despite Idaho’s strong Republican leanings, Achilles believes Risch is vulnerable. He asserts that many Idaho voters are unfamiliar with Risch or disenchanted with his performance. “A quarter of Idaho voters don’t even know who he is,” Achilles claimed, urging citizens to reconsider their representation in Washington.
As Achilles continues his campaign, he aims to galvanize support by focusing on economic justice and transparency, promising to prioritize the needs of everyday Idahoans. As the midterm elections approach, all eyes will be on this emerging independent candidate and his potential to reshape Idaho’s political landscape.
Stay tuned for updates on Todd Achilles’ campaign as it develops and the impact it may have on the future of Idaho politics.
