Idaho · U.S. Senate
Jim Risch is heavily favored to win. Projected candidate margin: Jim Risch over Todd Achilles by 9.7 points. No two-party forecast is published for this race: this race is between an independent and a major-party candidate, so the forecast is published per candidate rather than as a two-party margin.
Field notes
Official ballot sources: Todd Achilles (checked 2026-10-05).
Under each share, its likely range (80 in 100 simulations) · * incumbent
Forecast history
Latest reading · Oct 28 · first published Oct 6 · Lead between the top two candidates, in points of all votes. Methodology
About this series
Reconstructed with the current model Aug 1 – Oct 5; published readings Oct 6 – Oct 28. Each reconstructed day is the current model on that day’s own inputs, not a forecast published then. Corrections are dated in the changelog.
Faded: CTMM 2.2 reconstructed history: computed after the fact with each date's available polls and environment, without expert ratings; not an issued forecast. Issued forecasts begin at the launch marker.
CTMM 2.2 readings for 2026-09-16, 2026-09-17, 2026-09-18 were computed after the fact with each day's available inputs: no edition was issued on those days. Not an issued forecast.
Data table
| Date | Lead | Chance | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28 | R+9.7 | Jim Risch win 92.0% | Published forecast |
| Oct 27 | R+9.7 | Jim Risch win 92.1% | Published forecast |
| Oct 26 | R+9.8 | Jim Risch win 92.2% | Published forecast |
| Oct 25 | R+9.8 | Jim Risch win 92.4% | Published forecast |
| Oct 24 | R+9.9 | Jim Risch win 92.5% | Published forecast |
| Oct 23 | R+10.3 | Jim Risch win 91.7% | Published forecast |
| Oct 22 | R+10.4 | Jim Risch win 91.8% | Published forecast |
| Oct 21 | R+10.4 | Jim Risch win 91.8% | Published forecast |
| Oct 20 | R+10.4 | Jim Risch win 91.9% | Published forecast |
| Oct 19 | R+10.5 | Jim Risch win 92.0% | Published forecast |
| Oct 18 | R+10.5 | Jim Risch win 92.1% | Published forecast |
| Oct 17 | R+10.5 | Jim Risch win 92.2% | Published forecast |
| Oct 16 | R+10.6 | Jim Risch win 92.3% | Published forecast |
| Oct 15 | R+10.6 | Jim Risch win 92.4% | Published forecast |
| Oct 14 | R+10.6 | Jim Risch win 92.5% | Published forecast |
| Oct 13 | R+10.7 | Jim Risch win 92.6% | Published forecast |
| Oct 12 | R+10.7 | Jim Risch win 92.7% | Published forecast |
| Oct 11 | R+10.7 | Jim Risch win 92.7% | Published forecast |
| Oct 10 | R+10.7 | Jim Risch win 92.8% | Published forecast |
| Oct 9 | R+10.8 | Jim Risch win 92.9% | Published forecast |
| Oct 8 | R+10.8 | Jim Risch win 93.0% | Published forecast |
| Oct 7 | R+10.8 | Jim Risch win 93.1% | Published forecast |
| Oct 6 | R+10.9 | Jim Risch win 93.2% | Published forecast |
| Oct 5 | R+10.3 | Jim Risch win 92.3% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Oct 4 | R+10.3 | Jim Risch win 92.3% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Oct 3 | R+10.3 | Jim Risch win 92.4% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Oct 2 | R+10.4 | Jim Risch win 92.6% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Oct 1 | R+9.9 | Jim Risch win 91.5% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 30 | R+9.9 | Jim Risch win 91.6% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 29 | R+9.9 | Jim Risch win 91.6% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 28 | R+10.0 | Jim Risch win 91.8% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 27 | R+10.0 | Jim Risch win 91.9% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 26 | R+10.1 | Jim Risch win 92.0% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 25 | R+10.1 | Jim Risch win 92.1% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 24 | R+10.2 | Jim Risch win 92.3% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 23 | R+10.2 | Jim Risch win 92.4% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 22 | R+10.3 | Jim Risch win 92.5% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 21 | R+10.3 | Jim Risch win 92.7% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 20 | R+10.4 | Jim Risch win 92.8% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 19 | R+10.4 | Jim Risch win 92.9% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 18 | R+19.3 | Jim Risch win 99.0% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 17 | R+19.3 | Jim Risch win 99.0% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 16 | R+19.3 | Jim Risch win 99.0% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 15 | R+19.4 | Jim Risch win 99.0% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 14 | R+19.4 | Jim Risch win 99.0% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 13 | R+19.4 | Jim Risch win 99.0% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 12 | R+19.4 | Jim Risch win 99.1% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 11 | R+19.5 | Jim Risch win 99.1% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 10 | R+19.5 | Jim Risch win 99.1% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 9 | R+19.6 | Jim Risch win 99.1% | Recomputed with the current model |
| Sep 8 | R+19.6 | Jim Risch win 99.1% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 7 | R+19.7 | Jim Risch win 99.1% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 6 | R+19.7 | Jim Risch win 99.1% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 5 | R+19.7 | Jim Risch win 99.2% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 4 | R+19.7 | Jim Risch win 99.2% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 3 | R+19.7 | Jim Risch win 99.2% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 2 | R+19.7 | Jim Risch win 99.2% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Sep 1 | R+20.7 | Jim Risch win 99.4% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 31 | R+20.7 | Jim Risch win 99.4% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 30 | R+20.7 | Jim Risch win 99.4% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 29 | R+20.7 | Jim Risch win 99.4% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 28 | R+20.7 | Jim Risch win 99.4% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 27 | R+20.7 | Jim Risch win 99.4% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 26 | R+20.8 | Jim Risch win 99.4% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 25 | R+16.3 | Jim Risch win 96.7% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 24 | R+16.3 | Jim Risch win 96.7% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 23 | R+16.3 | Jim Risch win 96.7% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 22 | R+16.3 | Jim Risch win 96.8% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 21 | R+16.4 | Jim Risch win 96.8% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 20 | R+16.3 | Jim Risch win 96.8% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 19 | R+16.3 | Jim Risch win 96.8% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 18 | R+16.3 | Jim Risch win 96.8% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 17 | R+16.3 | Jim Risch win 96.8% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 16 | R+16.3 | Jim Risch win 96.9% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 15 | R+16.3 | Jim Risch win 96.9% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 14 | R+16.4 | Jim Risch win 96.9% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 13 | R+15.3 | Jim Risch win 95.9% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 12 | R+20.8 | Jim Risch win 98.2% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 11 | R+20.8 | Jim Risch win 98.2% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 10 | R+20.8 | Jim Risch win 98.2% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 9 | R+20.8 | Jim Risch win 98.2% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 8 | R+20.8 | Jim Risch win 98.2% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 7 | R+20.8 | Jim Risch win 98.2% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 6 | R+20.9 | Jim Risch win 98.3% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 5 | R+20.9 | Jim Risch win 98.3% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 4 | R+20.9 | Jim Risch win 98.3% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 3 | R+20.9 | Jim Risch win 98.3% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 2 | R+20.9 | Jim Risch win 98.3% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
| Aug 1 | R+20.9 | Jim Risch win 98.3% | Reconstructed with the stated inputs |
The polls
Poll average R+10.0A poll’s weight halves every 60 days and grows with its sample. Each pollster counts once, at its best release. Every poll counts at its published margin, sponsored or not.In Senate races the forecast then counts a poll sponsored by a party or campaign at a quarter of its weight and moves its margin 2 points against that party, which puts the average it reads at R+5.8. It then applies a fitted correction of 1.6 points toward Republicans for Senate races, measured from past polling error, before blending it with its other evidence.10 recorded polls · 10 in the poll average
| Fieldwork | Added | Pollster | Result | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| from 2026-10-21 | 5d ago | VoteNexus ↗ | R+6.0I 43% · R 49% | 700 LV |
| from 2026-10-13 | 5d ago | Peak Insights ↗ | R+27.0I 27% · R 54% | 500 LV |
| from 2026-09-28 | Peak Insights ↗ | R+25.0I 24% · R 49% | 500 LV | |
| from 2026-09-13 | Advanced Targeting Research ↗ | I+11.0I 50% · R 39% | 700 RV | |
| from 2026-08-11 | Peak Insights ↗ | R+34.0I 18% · R 52% | 500 LV | |
| from 2026-08-04 | The Bullfinch Group ↗ | I+5.0I 38% · R 33% | 608 LV | |
| from 2026-06-06 | Peak Insights ↗ | R+48.0I 7% · R 55% | 500 LV | |
| from 2026-05-29 | The Bullfinch Group ↗ | R+4.0I 36% · R 40% | 774 RV |
How the partisan coordinate was built
Tap an input for its calculation and source.
Displayed values are rounded. This is a modeled partisan coordinate.
Jim Risch leads Todd Achilles by 9.7 points (candidate-pair center). The named candidate forecast also accounts for the field and election rules; its lead is a separate quantity from the partisan coordinate above.
All calculations & sources
How this state voted, 2024 −36.500 points
The state's presidential margin in 2024 as a share of all votes cast, from our own county sums — the same measurement the model's statewide terrain center is built from. Every pull below is measured from here, not from EVEN, which is why a landslide seat's listed pulls are small numbers and still land where the forecast does.
- 2024 presidential result for this state, as a share of all votes cast, from Call the Map's own county sums.
- Same source as Act I's 2024-president reference mark, so the origin lands on it.
Fitted model, above the terrain shown +14.311 points
What the fitted model adds on top of the starting terrain above — incumbency, past results, campaign finance and the other fitted terms — measured from that terrain rather than from EVEN. It is a comparison with the starting point already shown, not a separate input. The source detail lists the variables the fit uses.
- Fitted baseline -22.189 minus starting point -36.500 = 14.311 points.
- For orientation, the presidential results here: 2024 R+36.5, 2020 R+30.8.
- The work: the −22.2 D fundamentals push is the sum of the dynamic formula's surviving variables for this race — each one's own contribution is listed below.
- fundamentals core = 25-term dynamic formula (mass fit over the master feature matrix, held-out-cycle validated; see matrix/feature_dictionary.md + mass_fit_report.json)
- 9-term formula, held-out validated.
This race’s polls +11.157 points
What this race’s own recent polling adds beyond its prior. The forecast weights each poll for recency and sample size and counts each pollster once; the weights listed here are those of the polls’ own average.
- VoteNexus (2026-10-22, n=700): R+6.0 · weight 0.67 in the poll average
- Peak Insights (2026-10-15, n=500): R+27.0 · weight 0.52 in the poll average
- Peak Insights (2026-09-30, n=500): R+25.0 · weight 0.44 in the poll average
- Advanced Targeting Research (2026-09-16, n=700): D+11.0 · weight 0.44 in the poll average
- Peak Insights (2026-08-13, n=500): R+34.0 · weight 0.25 in the poll average
- The Bullfinch Group (2026-08-07, n=608): D+5.0 · weight 0.26 in the poll average
- … and 4 more below.
- Poll average R+10.0, from 10 polls · 10 recorded polls. This is the polls’ own average, each poll at its published margin, the figure this page’s poll summary shows. In Senate races the forecast then counts a poll sponsored by a party or campaign at a quarter of its weight and moves its margin 2 points against that party, which puts the average it reads at R+5.8. It then applies a fitted correction of 1.6 points toward Republicans for Senate races, measured from past polling error, before blending it with its other evidence. The forecast gives the polls 96% of the weight against its structural prior for this race, which moves the margin 11.2 points away from Republicans from where it stood before the polls. Eligible polls: latest poll: 2026-10-22 (6 days old).
National environment +3.187 points
The contribution to this race’s margin, not the national polling margin itself. The race’s loading, reference level and polling blend determine how much of the national climate reaches its final forecast.
- Three-source blend, updated 2026-10-14: 53% generic-ballot aggregates (D+7.7) · 28% special-election overperformance (D+9.0 across 46 specials) · 20% approval-implied (D+9.1 from net approval -24.3).
- Latest polls — generic ballot 2026-10-14 (14 days old), approval 2026-10-14 (14 days old).
- Generic-ballot average D+7.7 · support factor 0.87 (the share of that channel's capacity the admitted polls carry) — separate inputs; their product is a capacity diagnostic, not a margin.
- Weights are the 55/25/20 capacities scaled by each channel's evidence and renormalized, so thin polling widens the interval instead of pulling the center toward zero — 12% of the weight is carried that way.
- Blended national environment: D+8.3.
- Applied at full strength to this chamber's races.
- This step’s recorded contribution to the margin is +3.2 D.
- Blended national environment: D+8.3 (updated 2026-10-14).
- Effective poll weight 88%; fundamentals share 12%, carried by the interval (×1.06) rather than by the center.
- The support factor is the share of the generic-ballot capacity the admitted polls carry; average × support is a capacity diagnostic, not a margin, and is not what the row above multiplies.
- Applied at full strength to this chamber: +3.2 of this margin.
Structural safeguards −1.888 points
Bounded corrections that keep the model consistent with structural facts.
- Applied only when a safe state's dynamic fundamentals point in the same direction as its strong presidential lean but are materially compressed toward zero.
- The 25% correction toward that lean improved safe-race MAE in strict expanding-window validation without changing a historical call.
- The disclosed adjustment is −1.9 D.
These are the fitted model’s named contributions to the partisan coordinate, before the candidate-field calculation.
| Named factor | Contribution |
|---|---|
| FundamentalsThe admitted fitted baseline. Its surviving variables differ by office; the source detail above identifies those used for this race. | −22.19 |
| This race's pollsAdmitted head-to-head polls of this race, recency- and quality-weighted. | +11.16 |
| National environmentThe national environment’s contribution to the prior. Polling can attenuate its influence; this value is not the national polling margin. | +3.19 |
| Structural terrain safeguardA bounded pull toward presidential terrain in heavily partisan states. | −1.89 |
| Other factors | 0.00 |
Where the votes are
The map of this race loads here.
Recent elections
| Election | Result | Votes cast |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 · U.S. Senate ↗ | R+29.4 | 859,827 |
| 2014 · U.S. Senate ↗ | R+30.7 | 437,170 |
| 2008 · U.S. Senate ↗ | R+23.5 | 644,780 |
| 2002 · U.S. Senate ↗ | R+32.6 | 408,544 |
Margins are the Democrat’s share of all votes cast minus the Republican’s.
The money
Jim Risch ↗
R$3.4Mraised
$3.5M cash on hand
Todd Achilles ↗
I$692Kraised
$194K cash on hand
The tick marks cash on hand. A missing filing stays blank rather than becoming $0.
One more fundraising reportCall the Map · $325
The candidates are comfortably out-fundraising the website covering them. A little rude, perhaps, but statistically unsurprising.
- Received so far
- $325
- Measured compute
- $26,188.58
Ko-fi and Buy Me a Coffee supports are counted as each one arrives. Measured compute prices model runs at standard published API rates; it is not what I paid. Hosting, data and subscriptions, the domain and my own time are not counted. Donations buy gratitude, never a forecast adjustment.
Supporters are listed by first name and last initial; a username alone is shortened to its first eight characters. Want your full name shown? Say so in your message. Give privately, or leave the name blank, and you are listed as Anonymous, with the platform and date. Supporters who give a name may also be thanked by name in the newsletter.
Thank you to Tom H., ColoradoFlyer, Chris, EW, gbaileym…, True Independent, MT V., JBL, Erin G., Caroline M., Melanie, MKV and 7 more.
No outside spending matched: Jim Risch, Todd Achilles.
FEC filings · through 06/30/2026 · Definitions & method
Race context
- Turnout, 2018 midterm
- 48.8% 612,536 ballots
- Turnout, 2022 midterm
- 42.7% 595,350 ballots
- 2024 presidential margin
- R+37.5between the two parties
Turnout is ballots cast statewide as a share of the voting-eligible population. Source: University of Florida Election Lab ↗
Population profile
U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 American Community Survey 5-year estimates ↗
Coverage
3 quotes
- How competitive is the race to represent Idaho in the U.S. Senate? It depends which poll you look at. #idpol ↗
Idaho Capital Sun · Official · 9h ago
curated state newsroom · recent Bluesky post · named-race match · election-topic match - Hear directly from Idaho candidates ahead of Election Day. Watch our interviews on YouTube to learn where candidates stand on the issues facing Idaho.
Gov. Brad Little, Sen. Jim Risch and Attorney General Raúl Labrador did not respond to our requests for interviews.
Watch the playlist: ↗
Boise State Public Radio · Official · 5d ago
curated state newsroom · recent Bluesky post · named-race match - Independent U.S. Senate candidate Todd Achilles says Idahoans are frustrated with Congress and the economy, and argues the two-party system is broken. He’s challenging longtime Republican Sen. Jim Risch in the upcoming November election.
Watch the full interview with Achilles ↗
Boise State Public Radio · Official · Oct 19
curated state newsroom · recent Bluesky post · named-race match
Forecast as of October 28, 2026: Call the Map currently has Jim Risch ahead of Todd Achilles by 9.7 points, with a 92 in 100 chance to lead. The seat is currently held by a Republican. That result would keep the seat with Republicans. The current poll average is R+10.0; 10 public polls are recorded.