A Democratic legislator is leaving the Statehouse to launch an independent run for U.S. Senate.

On Tuesday, Todd Achilles of Boise announced his plans to challenge Republican incumbent Sen. Jim Risch in 2026.

Achilles said he had been weighing a run against Risch for a long time. In an interview with the Idaho Statesman, Achilles said an “accumulation” of issues prompted him to run as an independent.

“We just decided, you know, it’s now or never,” Achilles told Sarah Cutler of the Idaho Statesman.

In a news release, Achilles said he will launch his campaign with a “Shake Up the System” listening tour across all 44 counties.

“Idahoans are independent-minded and we’re committed to doing what’s right, even when it takes grit and determination,” he said. “I’m running because we need leaders who will protect public lands, pay down the debt, and stand up to the corporate monopolies that have rigged our economy.”

Achilles is a former U.S. Army tank commander, who has worked more than 20 years in the tech sector, including work for Hewlett Packard, T-Mobile and other firms. He is also a public policy lecturer at the University of California-Berkeley.

Achilles was appointed to the Legislature in February 2024 and elected later that year. He has served as chair of the House Democrats’ nine-member caucus.

An independent running for statewide office faces some challenging headwinds. First, in order to appear on the ballot, Achilles will need to collect 1,000 signatures from registered voters.

Republicans have won every U.S. Senate election in Idaho since 1978. Risch has won three of these elections himself, beginning in 2008. In 2020, he was elected to a third six-year term, collecting nearly 63% of the vote. President Donald Trump has endorsed Risch’s bid for a fourth term.

More about Achilles’ announcement from Laura Guido of the Idaho Capital Sun.