James D. Ruchti
Idaho State Senator, District 29 since 2022. Ran in 5 elections between 2006 and 2024, winning 5. Re-elected in 2026. Next on the ballot in 2028.
- In office
- 3 yrs
- Since 2022
- Votes missed
- 9.1%
- Chamber median 1.7%
- With party
- 92%
- On votes splitting the parties
- Last margin
- +17.6
- Won 2026
- Next election
- 2028
- Nov 7, 2028
- Elections
- 6
- 2006–2026
Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 1:52 PM ET
Committees
As of 2026-10.
- Commerce and Human Resources
- Federalism
- Judiciary and Rules
- Legislative Oversight
- State Affairs
Source: Open States committeesUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET
Voting record
Where Ruchti sits in the Idaho State Senate
Ruchti is closer to the center than 83% of the chamber's Democrats.
Closest: Janie Ward-Engelking, Carrie Semmelroth, Ali Rabe
Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:49 PM ET
With Ruchti’s party
- Votes with the chamber's Democrats92%
Black tick: the average of Democrats in the Idaho State Senate.
Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships
Key votes
Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Ruchti’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Democrats.
| Date | Bill | Ruchti | Dem. majority | Rep. majority | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2, 2026 | H 975: APPROPRIATIONS – Relates to the appropriation and transfer of moneys in the state treasury… | Not voting | No | Yes | Passed 19–13 |
| Apr 1, 2026 | S 1356: SINGLE COUNTYWIDE HIGHWAY DISTRICTS – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding… | No | No | Yes | Passed 19–16 |
| Apr 1, 2026 | H 930: CAMPAIGN FINANCE – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the duties of… | Yes | Yes | No | Passed 19–14 |
| Apr 1, 2026 | H 516: EDUCATION – Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding the… | No | No | Yes | Passed 20–14 |
| Apr 1, 2026 | H 706: IDAHO BUILDING CODES – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding single… | No | Yes | Yes | Passed 18–17 |
Source: 99chambers key votes from Congress.gov, Voteview and Open States roll calls
Career
Offices held, and every time Ruchti was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.
Source: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)
Elections
Margin against the seat’s presidential baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year.
| Year | Race | Result | Margin | Seat | +/− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Idaho State Senate, District 29 | Won | D+17.6 | R+13.0 | +30.6 |
| 2024 | Idaho State Senate, District 29 | Won | — | R+13.0 | — |
| 2022 | Idaho State Senate, District 29 | Won | D+8.1 | R+8.3 | +16.4 |
| 2020 | Idaho House of Representatives, District 29 | Won | D+13.4 | — | — |
| 2008 | Idaho House of Representatives, District 29 | Won | R+1.3 | — | — |
| 2006 | Idaho House of Representatives, District 29 | Won | R+0.5 | — | — |
Source: 99chambers results archive; 2026: Idaho Secretary of State (unofficial)Updated Nov 8, 2026, 7:01 PM ET
Campaign money, 2025–26
- Raised
- $132.2K
- Spent
- $99.9K
- Cash
- $67.5K
Source: Idaho Secretary of State filings through Oct 28, 2026Updated Nov 1, 2026, 12:43 AM ET
Campaign committees
Open committees can still raise and spend money.
| Committee to Elect James Ruchti State | Active |
Source: Idaho Secretary of State filings through Oct 28, 2026Updated Nov 1, 2026, 12:43 AM ET
Seats Ruchti has held
- Idaho State Senate, District 29 · since 2022
- Idaho House of Representatives, District 29 · 2020–2022
- Idaho House of Representatives, District 29 · 2006–2010
Source: 99chambers results archive
Who Ruchti has run against
- John Crowder (R) · 2026 election, won
- David T. Worley (R) · 2022 election, won
- Dustin Manwaring (R) · 2020 election, won
- Ken Andrus (R) · 2008 election, won
Source: 99chambers results archive; 2026: Idaho Secretary of State (unofficial)
How we know Ruchti
One person, matched across every source we use.
- Open States ocd-person/bcb4f50c-1f70-484a-90c2-65652b6a1133
- Wikidata Q105393470
Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 1:52 PM ET