Achilles will challenge Risch, who has served as one of Idaho’s two U.S. senators since 2009. Risch will be up for reelection in November 2026 and announced in April that he plans to run again. He was endorsed by President Donald Trump.

A group of conservatives in Eastern Oregon says that Oregon leadership "is intent on holding Eastern Oregon counties captive."

Achilles can’t stand both major parties, which means he believes there’s a yearning for someone to come along and catch a wave of public discontent.

Casting mailed ballots remained popular among voters in last year’s presidential election, even as President Donald Trump has tried to undercut the process through a wide-ranging executive order

Before Tillis made his announcement, Trump criticized him on social media, writing, "Tillis is a talker and complainer, NOT A DOER!" North Carolina's status as a battleground state, combined with the near-even split in the Senate, will make the 2026 race for Tillis' seat highly competitive for both Democrats and Republicans.