Washington DC (Washington Insider Magazine) — Jim Risch is a junior United States senator from Idaho. He is an American lawyer and politician. From 2006 to 2007 he served as the 31st governor of Idaho under Governors Dirk Kempthorne and Butch Otter, as well as lieutenant governor of Idaho under Governors Butch Otter and Dirk Kempthorne.
Biography
Risch was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Helen B. (née Levi) and Elroy A. Risch. His father had German roots, while his mother was of Irish, Scottish, and English descent. He first attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee from 1961 to 1963 and then transferred to the University of Idaho in Moscow as part of their Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
In 1965, he obtained a B.S. degree in Forestry and later received a J.D. degree from the College of Law in 1968. During his studies at the college, he participated in the Law Review as well as its College of Law Advisory Committee.
At the age of 27, Risch became Ada County Prosecuting Attorney in 1970 in Boise. In addition to teaching criminal justice courses at Boise State College, he served as president of the state prosecuting attorneys’ association. As one of Idaho’s most successful trial lawyers, Risch became a millionaire while serving in the Idaho Senate.
Political Career At The State Level
Having been elected to the Idaho Senate from Ada County in 1974, Risch served as majority leader and then president pro tempore before entering the state senate leadership in 1976. Democrat political newcomer Mike Burkett defeated Risch for reelection in 1988.
As of mid-2006, this remains Idaho’s most expensive legislative contest. Having lost the 1994 primary election for a state Senate seat to Roger Madsen, Risch returned as an appointee of Governor Phil Batt in 1995, who had appointed Madsen to direct the state commerce department.
41st Lieutenant Governor (2007-2009)
It was expected that Risch would run in the 2006 Republican gubernatorial primary to succeed Kempthorne, who was serving his second term at this time. Risch announced his intention to run for lieutenant governor in November 2005. Otter had already announced his candidacy in December 2004 and had already begun fundraising and campaigning.
He won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 2006 and defeated the Democratic candidate for the position, Larry LaRocco, in the general election. Risch resigned as lieutenant governor on January 3, 2009, to join the Senate after his term as governor ended. He resigned as lieutenant governor to take his seat in the Senate. He was succeeded by state senator Brad Little of Emmett.
Politics Positions
Jim Rish held the following positions through his political career:
1.The Abortion Procedure
Risch is firmly in the anti-abortion camp, having co-sponsored the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act in 2013 to make it illegal for minors to obtain abortions across state lines. He celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June of 2022, acknowledging that citizens should have a say on this contentious issue through their elected representatives at the state level.
2. Weapons
Risch received an A+ grade from the National Rifle Association (NRA) for his voting record on gun issues. In 2013, Risch joined forces with 12 other Republican Senators to threaten a filibuster over any Democratic bills perceived as a threat to gun rights, including expanded background checks. In an interview with National Public Radio, he emphasized the importance of having a robust market for guns to uphold Americans’ constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
He further pointed out that additional background checks would necessitate extensive dealings with the federal bureaucracy, something he considered to be an arduous task. Risch and Crapo said the Orlando nightclub shooting was not a reason to call for gun control legislation
In 2016, Risch voted against the Feinstein Amendment, which would have blocked the sale of guns to people on the terrorist watch list, as well as Chris Murphy’s proposal to expand background checks for gun sales at gun shows and online. He voted for both Republican-backed bills, John Cornyn’s to create a 72-hour delay for anyone on the terrorist watchlist to purchase a firearm, and Charles Grassley and Ted Cruz’s to alert authorities if someone on the list attempts to buy a firearm
3. Justice In Criminal Cases
On December 18, 2018, Risch voted against the FIRST STEP Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill.
4. The Health Care System
In 2010, Risch voted against the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. On May 21, 2020, Senator Risch introduced S. 3829, the Global Health Security and Diplomacy Act, yet no vote was taken on it. At the start of Secretary Antony Blink en’s confirmation hearings, Risch highlighted the Bill as a significant legislative and foreign policy goal given the “devastating failure at all levels” of the global health security structure.
Proponents argue that the legislation would enhance collaboration between US departments and agencies that provide foreign aid for global health security. It should also facilitate partner nations building sturdy health systems and supply chains that have enough resources, personnel, and capability to suppress, spot, and respond to contagious disease threats before they turn into pandemics.
Personal Life
Jim Risch is married to Vicki Risch. The couple has been married for 51 years. Vicki Risch is the former first lady of Idaho. The wife of U.S. senator Jim Risch has served as the governor of Idaho in 2006. She also became first lady on May 26, 2006, when her husband’s governor when the former governor Dirk Kempthorne, resigned from the role. Jim and Vicki have raised three sons together. The couple also has nine grandchildren.
Read More: Mazie K. Hirono Net Worth: Life, Age, Political Career & Bio
Net Worth
Jim Risch has an estimated Net worth of $53,385,526. His net worth is doubled as his wife is also a former politician. The Base salary of Jim is $174,000 and he earns this salary every year. Jim’s net worth is expected to see an increase in the coming years as he is still active in political career and holds some prominent seats in the US senate.