Idaho Democrats are quietly questioning whether their own Senate nominee can mount a credible campaign against Republican incumbent Jim Risch, and a key county party is now threatening to back an independent candidate instead. The Ada County Democratic Party sent a letter on July 8 to David Roth, who won the Democratic primary in May, […]
By Idaho Politics Staff · July 18, 2026
U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined forces with Senator Ashley Moody (R-Florida) on July 16 to introduce legislation that would make it a federal crime to intentionally import the equipment and chemicals used to manufacture counterfeit fentanyl pills on American soil. The bill, designated S. 4446 and titled the PRESS Act, targets a key link […]
By Idaho Politics Staff · July 17, 2026
Idaho’s two U.S. senators are backing a new federal proposal that would hand greater management authority over grizzly bears to state agencies, following an announcement from the Interior Department on July 15. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik announced a revised rule proposal that would transfer […]
By Idaho Politics Staff · July 16, 2026
Idaho Senator Jim Risch introduced legislation this week requiring the federal Bureau of Land Management to hold geothermal energy lease sales every year, moving to align the Senate with a companion measure that cleared the House unanimously last month. The CLEAN Act The bill, formally titled the Committing Leases for Energy Access Now Act, sets […]
By Idaho Politics Staff · July 16, 2026
U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho) launched an online survey this week asking constituents how they think federal land in Idaho should be managed, covering topics from recreation and wildlife to roads, permitting, and maintenance. A Large Footprint, a Contested Debate Federal agencies control nearly two-thirds of Idaho’s total land area, making public land policy one […]
By Idaho Politics Staff · July 15, 2026
Federal housing law got a significant overhaul this week when the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act was signed into law, with Idaho Senator Mike Crapo playing a central role in shaping and advancing several of its key provisions. Crapo, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee and serves as a senior member of the Senate […]
By Idaho Politics Staff · July 12, 2026
A retired Air Force major general who once called herself a Republican is mounting an independent bid for Idaho’s First Congressional District, taking on four-term incumbent Rep. Russ Fulcher in what would be an exceptionally rare upset if successful. Sarah Zabel, who moved to Idaho in 2020 after a three-decade military career and subsequent work […]
By Idaho Politics Staff · July 8, 2026
With 35 U.S. Senate seats on the ballot in November 2026, Idaho’s contest is part of a sweeping national map that will determine whether Republicans hold their majority or Democrats engineer a come-from-behind takeover of the chamber. Where the Senate Stands Republicans currently hold a 53-47 Senate majority, a figure that includes two independents who […]
By Idaho Politics Staff · July 6, 2026
Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is urging community development lenders across the state to move quickly after federal grant application materials became available Tuesday for two key lending programs. The Office of Management and Budget released Notices of Funding Availability for the Bank Enterprise Award (BEA) and Small Dollar Loan (SDL) programs housed within the CDFI […]
By Idaho Politics Staff · July 2, 2026