Idaho Ed News · Laura Guido, Idaho Capital Sun · September 3, 2026
This article was first published in the Idaho Capital Sun
Idaho Democrat David Roth, who had been running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Idaho Republican Jim Risch, officially withdrew his name from the ballot just days before the deadline.
Roth submitted his withdrawal form on Aug. 28, citing a “lack of support from Democratic Party,” according to the form obtained by the Idaho Capital Sun in a public records request.
A spokesperson for the Idaho Democratic Party declined to comment.
Roth faced pressure from fellow Democrats to clear way for independent candidate
Roth announced he was ending his campaign on July 28, the Idaho Capital Sun reported. He had faced strong pressure from supporters of independent candidate Todd Achilles, who argued an independent had a better chance of defeating the longtime incumbent in a head-to-head race. Roth did not endorse Achilles.
Roth told the Sun he didn’t want to drop out, but he felt like he didn’t have a choice. He’d also received a letter from leaders of Ada County Democrats asking him to drop out , the Spokesman-Review reported.
“Without support from Ada County, I mean that really hindered fundraising or campaign ability,” Roth told the Sun in a phone interview. “And when you have so many people who hold leadership positions in the party advocating for a candidate besides their nominee, it makes it really just impossible.”
Roth’s most recent federal election filing shows he garnered about $14,600 in contributions but that his campaign had about $10,100 in debts and loans to be paid back, as of June 30.
Roth ran for federal office in 2022 and 2024 and for the state Legislature in 2020. He said this run was “probably the worst experience I’ve ever been through in my entire life.”
“And I’ve been through a lot,” he said.
He expressed disappointment in his party leaders for not supporting the Democratic nominee in the race after he won his primary contest in May.
“It’s an unfortunate situation,” he said. “I think the Democratic voters of Idaho have really lost their opportunity to have a voice, and I think it just goes to show how broken our whole system is.”
Achilles’ most recent campaign finance filing shows he’s raised nearly $700,000, although his campaign has recently advertised he’s collected over $1 million. Risch’s warchest was more than $4.4 million as of June 30. The Federal Election Commission requires quarterly reporting on campaign contributions and expenditures, and the next filing deadline is Oct. 15.
Without Roth’s formal withdrawal, his name would’ve still appeared on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. Achilles’ campaign has repeatedly said his odds are better if the contest is between him and Risch.
“I respect Roth running and making the decision that the campaign just didn’t have the resources it needed to be competitive,” Achilles said in an interview. “I think it’s all about being competitive.”
After Roth’s withdrawal, Achilles said his campaign’s plan is to, “keep doing what we’re doing, which is just being out there talking Idahoans and you know working hard on a campaign.”
Risch in an interview for an August story told the Sun he was not concerned after Roth announced his departure from the race.
“I know people are getting excited all of a sudden because I was running against two Democrats, and now I’m running against one Democrat,” Risch said, referencing that Achilles previously was a Democratic state legislator. “I’ve done that all my life.”
Risch, Achilles, independent Natalie Fleming and Libertarian Matt Loesby will appear on ballots for the U.S. Senate race.
Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com .