Idaho voters weigh Risch and Little as Democrats sweep Congress

Polls in Ada County closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday, ending a day of voting in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell where residents cast ballots for several key federal and state offices. Idaho voters selected their U.S. Senator, Governor, and all state legislators, while also deciding on statewide ballot measures. The state’s polling places operated from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with some locations opening as early as 7 a.m. at the discretion of the county clerk.

In the race for the U.S. Senate, incumbent Republican Jim Risch sought reelection against challengers from the Independent, Libertarian, and Republican parties. Risch has been a prominent figure in Idaho politics for decades, and his campaign emphasized experience and a record of supporting local interests. The race for Governor featured incumbent Brad Little, who ran for reelection against candidates from the Democratic, Independent, Libertarian, and Unaffiliated parties. Little’s campaign focused on economic growth and infrastructure projects across the Treasure Valley and the broader state.

Every U.S. House seat in Idaho was on the ballot, allowing voters to choose their representatives in Congress. In the 2024 elections, Republicans held a narrow majority in the House, but the political landscape has shifted significantly in the current cycle. Voters in Ada County also had the opportunity to vote on state Supreme Court seats and intermediate appellate courts, a process that often draws attention from legal observers and local bar associations.

Statewide ballot measures presented voters with several significant policy choices. One measure, HJR 4, asked voters to provide that only the state legislature has the authority to legalize marijuana, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances. Another measure, HJR 6, proposed adding constitutional language designating English as the official language of Idaho. Voters also faced the Official State Gun Question, which asked them to choose the official state gun of Idaho, and Proposition 1, which sought to provide in statute that people have a right to reproductive freedom and privacy.

Nationally, the results of Tuesday’s election marked a dramatic reversal for the Republican Party. Democrats won control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, ending a period of unified Republican control in Washington. According to Ballotpedia, Democrats had won 228 House seats and 20 Senate seats as of early Wednesday morning, with 69 House races and 2 Senate races still uncalled. The net change in the House was a gain of 27 seats for Democrats, while they gained 7 seats in the Senate.

The Associated Press reported that the Democratic surge was fueled by voter dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump, the economy, and the war with Iran. About six in 10 voters disapproved of how Trump was handling the presidency, according to the AP Voter Poll. Many voters cited the cost of living and government corruption as crucial factors in their decision to support Democratic candidates. The poll found that three-quarters of voters said the economy was not so good or poor, with about eight in 10 saying inflation had caused severe or moderate financial hardship.

Republicans lost most of the Democratic-held seats they had targeted to flip in their redistricting efforts, which had been urged by President Trump. The redistricting plan, which sought to give Republicans an edge in states like Alabama, Florida, and Texas, ultimately fell flat. In Texas, for example, Democrats unseated Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz, while incumbents Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez won reelection. In Florida, Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz won reelection in a redrawn district, despite a significant Republican advertising effort.

President Trump, who had urged voters to pretend he was on the ballot, gave extended comments Wednesday justifying his construction of a White House ballroom rather than addressing the Republican losses directly. He told reporters, If I were on the ballot I would have won, while acknowledging that he knew the war with Iran would impact the midterm elections. Vice President JD Vance publicly broke from Trump’s defense of the Iran war, blaming the conflict for the party’s defeat in a lengthy social media post.

Democrats in Congress are now poised to launch a 100-day agenda focused on lowering the costs of gas, groceries, and other goods. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become the first Black speaker of the House, said his party would work hard to deliver on the dramatic change that voters deserve. The new leadership also plans to launch a robust oversight agenda, with some members warning that investigations into the Trump administration are likely.

For Idaho voters, the national shift may influence how federal funds are allocated for infrastructure and energy projects in the coming years. The state’s congressional delegation will now operate in a divided government, where the Democratic-led Congress may challenge the executive branch on key policy issues. As results continue to be certified in Ada County, local officials will prepare for the next steps in the election process, including the canvassing of ballots and the final declaration of winners for local offices.

The election results underscore a broader trend of voters seeking change in Washington, with Democrats gaining control of governorships in several states as well. According to Ballotpedia, Democrats won 22 of the 36 gubernatorial races on the ballot, a net gain of five seats. This shift in state leadership may create new dynamics in how federal and state governments interact on issues such as healthcare, education, and environmental regulations.