U.S. Senate Candidate Q&A: May Primary Election

IDAHO — As part of Idaho News 6’s election coverage ahead of the May primary, candidates in the contested U.S. Senate race were invited to complete a written questionnaire about their candidacy, priorities, and approach to key issues facing voters.

Their responses are included below as submitted, with no edits except for length when necessary. Candidates who did not respond are noted as “did not respond.”

Candidates are listed alphabetically by political party, then by last name.

Democratic —

• 1. What motivated you to run for this position?

  • Nickolas 007 Bonds

    • My education, with four bachelor’s degrees in business leadership and a Master’s in Adult organizational learning and Leadership, witnessing my communities suffer increasingly at the hands of poorly managed legislation is unbearable.
      Given my education, it is my civic duty to protect my community and the nation at large.
      The corruption and adulteration of our public goods and infrastructure we depend on is unacceptable.
      Our communities in Idaho are some of the most vulnerable economically, our hospitals, schools, public lands and our infrastructure depend on stable moderate policy that meets or exceed expectations.
      Cuts to Medicaid closes hospitals, schools cannot keep their doors open without levies and our forests burn without federal funds.
      When risk goes unmanaged, we each pay the price.
      A lack of unions, pensions and job security results in a dependence on social services, when such services are “cut” the communities supporting small businesses no longer have the income to do so.

  • Brad Moore

    • Because Senator Risch is not doing anything to help Idahoans. Not one darn thing. It is Risch's job as a member of Congress to make sure Trump is acting within his bounds. This is why there are 3 separate, but equal, branches of the Federal Government. To ensure checks and balances don't allow Trump to act like a King. Risch isn't even able to criticize Trump.

  • David Roth

    • I have been active in politics for several years. I have watched our leaders focus on issues that have little impact on daily lives, and often have watched them ignore the issues that would matter. I believe that Idaho can do better.

• 2. What experience has prepared you to serve?

  • Nickolas 007 Bonds

    • My life has prepared me to serve through persistence, independence, and a commitment to improving the systems I engage with. Navigating both the public school system and higher education as a neurodivergent individual required me to advocate for myself consistently, often in environments that were not designed to support my needs or potential.
      Challenges taught me to understand complex institutions, question ineffective policies, and push for better outcomes—not just for myself, but for others facing barriers. I developed the ability to navigate bureaucracy, stand firm under pressure, and take initiative in shaping my own opportunities.
      Throughout my journey, I encountered resistance, skepticism, and threats including being discouraged. Rather than accept those limitations, I continue to expand my knowledge and skill set, demonstrating adaptability and a long-term commitment to growth.
      My experience shaped my leadership approach: I lead by example, challenge systems when they fall short, and focus on practical improvements that benefit the broader community. I’m motivated not by titles or recognition, but by the opportunity to contribute to stronger more effective and inclusive economy.
      I’m here to lead by example, to make changes necessary for our economy to thrive and our country to maintain its leadership.

  • Brad Moore

    • I have worked for several companies for many years with diverse groups to solve problems the company I was working for at the time was having. It was my job to make my supervisor successful in order to make the company more successful. I have held positions as manager or assistant manager and I am a great listener. Listening to your fellow employees is the best quality managers can develop. I have worked in high stress environments and have learned how to negotiate with people.

  • David Roth

    • I have served in numerous leadership roles both in the corporate world and in the non-profit world. I believe that I have faced the same challenges that many Idahoans do and believe that experience can help me be a better representative.

• 3. What do you see as the most significant issue facing your constituents, and how do you plan to address it?

  • Nickolas 007 Bonds

    • Economic recovery. A U.S. senator’s role in economic recovery is indirect but powerful:
      - I can inject or withdraw economic support (spending & taxes)
      - I can shape incentives that drive business and consumer behavior
      - I can set the legal and regulatory framework for markets
      - I can oversee and influence key institutions
      - I can negotiate the scale and direction of recovery efforts
      Individually, my power is limited—but collectively, We the people and the Senate determine how fast, how fair, and how sustainable an economic recovery is. I have been preparing to lead a swift sustainable and fair recovery all my life, one might say its my calling or purpose.

  • Brad Moore

    • The most significant issue currently is the Iran War. It is the single biggest factor causing high inflation rates. Prices for fuel, groceries, and rent are out of control. Our 3 biggest industries are agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Tourism is already down 20% because Trump alienated many people who live overseas in countries that used to be our allies. Canadians have cut their travel to the US by 50%. Idaho farmers are dealing with a 20% cut to their water allotment due to the low snowpack this past winter. On top of higher diesel prices and higher fertilizer prices. We need to end the Iran War as soon as possible. We must also address tax reform next year.

  • David Roth

    • The rising costs of healthcare and the effects the budget cuts have had on our rural community hospitals and clinics. I believe in Medicare for All and feel that it is time that we join every other developed nation and move forward with this plan. 60% of all bankruptcies are related to healthcare. This trend can’t continue.

• 4. If elected, what is the first policy you would seek to implement or change?

  • Nickolas 007 Bonds

    • If elected, the first policies I would pursue would be reforming campaign finance and establishing reasonable term limits for Congress. Addressing the influence of money in politics—particularly by overturning or restricting the effects of Citizens United—would help restore fairness and public trust in our electoral system.
      At the same time, implementing intelligent term limits for members of Congress would encourage fresh perspectives and reduce the risk of entrenched power. Opening the door to younger generations is essential; we need talented and forward-thinking leaders to step in earlier, not after decades in the system. Just as the executive branch has term limits to prevent stagnation and over-consolidation of power, the legislative branch would benefit from similar safeguards.
      The current lack of term limits in the Senate, in particular, creates vulnerabilities—both politically and socially—by allowing long-term incumbency to become disconnected from the evolving needs of the public.

  • Brad Moore

    • Right off the bat, I would work to restore the horrific cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Over 100,000 Idahoans were thrown to the wolves by Risch last year with his budget vote for the "big, beautiful bill". I would also work to restore the tax credits for healthcare insurance. Risch is no longer a moderate Republican. He has been in Washington so long he has become an extremist. He has a bad case of Potomac Fever, and thinks he owns that Senate seat. He doesn't, the citizens of Idaho do!

  • David Roth

    • I would focus first on Medicare for All and other affordability issues.

• 5. How would you balance community needs with budget constraints, particularly during times of rising costs?

  • Nickolas 007 Bonds

    • We need to be deliberate and transparent about priorities by directing limited resources toward essential services like public safety, infrastructure, health, and housing—based on real community input. At the same time, we should ensure that large businesses benefiting from the community contribute fairly through taxes, fees, or partnerships that reinvest locally. We must actively control costs by using competitive bidding, reviewing contracts, and eliminating inefficiencies. We should also invest in preventative measures like maintenance, energy efficiency, and public health to reduce long-term expenses. Above all, we need strong accountability and transparency so decisions are fair, not driven by insiders, and truly serve the community
      My background uniquely prepares me to take on this challenge. With four bachelor’s degrees in business, operations management, marketing analytics, human resource management, and management information systems, I bring a comprehensive, data-driven approach to budgeting—combining financial discipline, operational efficiency, workforce insight, and analytical decision-making to ensure community resources are used effectively and responsibly.

  • Brad Moore

    • Tax reform is desperately needed in our country. Too many corporations are not pulling their weight. Too many billionaires are not paying their fair share either. There is no excuse for a larger Department of Defense budget. So, I would propose cutting the current DOD budget by 20% over the next 2 years, and 40% in the next 4 years. I would work to abolish ICE. Nobody needs it. Nobody wants it.

  • David Roth

    • We have to look at areas for efficiency. The current healthcare system is bloated with more than 20% of all money going simply to billing costs. Medicare on the other hand has shown to be one of the most efficient government programs in effect. We also have to look at revenue and make decisions about whether or not we feel blanket tax cuts for large corporations and billionaires asking for nothing in return is really the best option for funding the needs of our country.

• 6. With multiple candidates on the ballot, why should voters choose you?

  • Nickolas 007 Bonds

    • Voters must choose me, I will bring advanced education, real-world resilience, and a clear, practical approach to strengthening our economy and communities.
      My background includes four bachelor’s degrees in business-leadership and a master’s in Adult Organizational Learning and Leadership. That postgraduate work is important—it focuses on how organizations actually function, how people learn and adapt within them, and how to implement lasting, effective change; it’s about improving systems, aligning people with goals, and ensuring policies translate into real-world results.
      Economic recovery, isn’t about passing legislation—it’s about designing policies that institutions can implement that communities benefit from. My training allows me to evaluate systems— in government, healthcare, education, or the workforce— structured to succeed or set up to fail, and then make the correct adjustments.
      Adult organizational learning emphasizes accountability, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making. That means listening to constituents, measuring outcomes, and adapting policies when they’re not delivering.
      With experience navigating systems and advocating for meaningful change, I offer a leadership style grounded in persistence, clarity, and action. I’m focused on building an economy that is stable, inclusive, and sustainable—and on ensuring that the policies we pass don’t just sound good.

  • Brad Moore

    • I graduated from Borah Senior High school majoring in math and science. I was a member of the 1st graduating class that went through the accelerated math pilot program that led to the STEM standards used today. I joined the Army when I was 18 and learned that I have a very high IQ as a result of taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam. When I got out, I worked as an electrician for 15 years and worked my way through college. I received an outstanding education in Computer Information Systems at BSU. I have worked using computers for over 40 years, as a mentor, a technician, a programmer, and as a systems analyst. So, I understand the dangers of AI, which is currently being developed and operating with little oversight. I have 25 years of experience working to get Democrats elected to office volunteering for their campaign.

  • David Roth

    • This is not my first federal race. I have built coalitions and support and have broken vote records with each race. Now is the time to continue the momentum and keep pushing forward.

Republican —

• 1. What motivated you to run for this position?

  • Joe Evans

    • I am running because Idaho deserves a senator who remembers that government works for the people. As an Idaho native and Army veteran, I believe leadership requires accountability and discipline. Washington has become too comfortable with debt and policies that burden working families. Idahoans are being squeezed by the rising costs of housing, food, and energy. I am not a career politician; I am running to restore constitutional limits, protect individual liberty, and bring common-sense Republican leadership that is strong for Idaho and hard on Washington.

  • Denny LaVe

    • I have six sons. As a father, I want to make sure a future exists for Idaho’s children and grandchildren. The affordability crises our country faces, especially in Idaho, caused by reckless spending and mass migration which has led to extreme inflation, needs to be addressed through radical change. Radical change cannot come from a career politician who is 83 years old, it has to come from the outside, from the working class. I am Christian, a blue-collar ironworker by trade, and I am a father. Idaho needs a revival. An economic revival, a cultural revival, and a spiritual revival, and I am running to fight to bring that for Idaho.

  • Jim Risch (Incumbent)

    • I am running for re-election because I believe Idaho truly is a special place. Our way of life is worth protecting and I have personally seen the liberal attacks seeking to end what we believe in, seeking to tell us how to govern our state, seeking to tell us how to raise our kids. I have been leading the fight for years to ensure Idaho stays Idaho. If my fellow Idahoans re-elect me, my goals are to continue to defend Idaho’s lands, revive the U.S. nuclear industry, continue reducing inflation, and ensure that Idaho’s interests are protected.

  • Josh Roy

    • Term Limits—I wrote our incumbent Senator, Jim Risch, in November. I write about twice a year, always on policy. This time I wrote about upcoming senate hearings on car prices. After writing, I looked him up out of curiosity and realized he was 82 and going to be 83 by election day. I looked for alternatives and found only Joe Evans, who has spent much of his past social media activity on marijuana advocacy. Neither of these are inspiring choices for one of the most important elected positions in the globe. At the end of a 6-year term, our senator will be just a few months shy of 90 years old. This is a nonsensical age for this level of leadership. This isn’t fair to voters, and it isn’t appropriate. This disregard for what citizens know to be true leads to mistrust and loss of faith. No one at my job is 83. Congress isn’t a golden parachute job position.

• 2. What experience has prepared you to serve?

  • Joe Evans

    • My background is rooted in service and real-world analysis. As an Army combat veteran with experience in intelligence, I learned to make disciplined decisions in high-pressure environments where facts matter. In the private sector, specifically in energy and solar, I have seen firsthand how federal regulations affect small businesses and the affordability of everyday life. Idaho does not need another senator trained by Washington; it needs someone who understands working families and is willing to ask hard questions about spending, infrastructure, and constitutional limits.

  • Denny LaVe

    • I am a Christian, first and foremost. My relationship with Jesus Christ has prepared me more than anything, as I constantly turn to God for wisdom and discernment. My professional background is as a blue collar ironworker, so I can actually relate to most Idahoans, who come from a similar background, unlike my opponent who has been over 50 years as a career politician.
      I am also the founder and owner of Precision Precast Erectors, an Ironworking Construction Company that operates all over the Pacific Northwest. Decades of being a businessman and multi-state construction industry leader have given me the leadership experience to serve Idahoans in the US Senate. As the father of 6 boys, I understand what is most important to parents here in Idaho.
      Idaho deserves new leadership, not another term for a Washington insider who has spent decades in politics. My blue-collar roots and real-world experience are the foundation of my campaign. We are running a grassroots-driven campaign powered by small donors and voters who want fresh leadership and real results.

  • Jim Risch (Incumbent)

    • No candidate in the race has more experience than I do. Besides being the current U.S. Senator, I am a rancher and a small business owner as well as a retired attorney. I have experience as the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney, a State Senator, Lt. Governor, and Governor. I have traveled to every part of Idaho hundreds of times. I know the state. I meet with Idahoans every day to hear what is happening in their communities, either in Washington, D.C., or in one of my state offices.

  • Josh Roy

    • I am a licensed Engineer and an MBA. I have 20 years of heavy industrial manufacturing and manufacturing management experience. I have a family background in farming and ranching, and extensive exposure to logging and timber. I am not a lawyer. Congress doesn’t need another lawyer. It is time to elect leaders to Congress with real world experience dealing with the struggles of everyday people. For too many of our leaders, the real world is a hypothetical. My wife and I have been married for 23 years, and we have 4 children aged 9 to 17. We are life-long Christians. We understand the struggles of raising children in our culture, of fighting social media, and countering the sexual immorality of pop culture on our phones and TVs.

• 3. What do you see as the most significant issue facing your constituents, and how do you plan to address it?

  • Joe Evans

    • The most significant issue is the rising cost of living. Housing, groceries, and healthcare are becoming unaffordable for families, seniors, and rural communities. While Washington cannot solve every problem, it must stop making life harder. I will focus on fiscal discipline, reducing reckless spending, and cutting regulatory burdens. Additionally, I support increasing healthcare price transparency and access, particularly in rural areas where families currently travel long distances for basic care.

  • Denny LaVe

    • Affordability is the biggest issue facing Idahoans today. I have six sons who are wondering whether they will be able to afford a home. Like I said in the first question, the affordability crises we are facing in Idaho has been caused by reckless spending and mass migration which have both led to extreme inflation.
      Healthcare affordability is a major issue, as Senator, I will work to ensure hospitals and insurers publish real prices. But radical transparency is not enough, we also need capped maximum markups on real hard costs, to combat price gauging through vertical supply chain extension and layered markups.
      For first time homeowners, I will work to expand tax credits and other incentives to ensure the next generations can afford a home. I will also work to restrict out- of-state corporations and Californian real estate investors from driving up housing costs.
      Finally, I will fight to stop the forever wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Hundreds of billions of dollars have gone to waste on wars that are not in America’s interest that could have been invested in making life more affordable for Idahoans.

  • Jim Risch (Incumbent)

    • The rising federal debt is one of the biggest threats to our nation. I have consistently voted against trillion-dollar omnibus spending bills and continuing resolutions and in favor of amendments that would have reduced spending. I voted against the so-called 'Inflation Reduction Act,' which I said at the time would raise taxes on Americans making as little as $30,000 a year, double the size of the IRS, and do nothing to address inflation. I vote against bills that automatically suspended the debt ceiling.
      Congress must advance pro-growth policies that balance the federal budget. That means real spending caps. It means eliminating the thousands of duplicative and wasteful federal programs that no one has had the courage to touch. It means a Balanced Budget Amendment, the same kind of discipline that every Idaho family practices at their own kitchen table. And we need economic growth driven by low taxes and American energy.

  • Josh Roy

    • Many Idahoans, including myself, feel that traditional family values and the nuclear family are under assault. In particular, social media companies are causing significant harm to children and young adults. These corporations are often larger than the entire economy of the state of Idaho. This is an issue for Congress. These companies harvest our private information for profit. The assault on parental authority and their promotion of an agenda that contradicts our values must be a priority. Our children must be raised in our values, faith, and culture. It is ridiculous that Google and other tech companies consider it appropriate to limit a parent’s access to their children’s digital lives after age 13.

• 4. If elected, what is the first policy you would seek to implement or change?

  • Joe Evans

    • My priority is restoring fiscal accountability. I would support reforms requiring Congress to pass responsible budgets and end the use of crisis deadlines to force through massive, unread legislation. Idaho families live within budgets, and Washington should be held to the same standard. I would also push for stronger oversight of federal agencies to ensure unelected bureaucracies do not create rules without clear congressional authority. Federal overspending drives inflation; fiscal responsibility is a kitchen-table issue.

  • Denny LaVe

    • Our immigration policy, which I would change with a two-pronged approach: mandatory E-Verify and a responsible, humane remigration strategy rooted in global restabilization efforts which can only be achieved by an Anti-War candidate such as myself. 

      Mandatory E-Verify is simple. If you want to work in the United States, employers must confirm you are legally eligible. As a business owner, I followed E-Verify laws, and it angers me to see massive corporations ignoring the rules and hiring illegal labor. Law-abiding businesses are put at a disadvantage and American wages are undercut. Strong enforcement of E-Verify levels the playing field, protects wages, and removes the economic incentive that drives illegal immigration in the first place.
      Remigration is more than just deportations. It is also incentivizing migrants to return to their home countries voluntarily. Remigration is justice: For both Americans and for the migrants. It goes hand in hand with my Anti-War and AntiForeign Entanglement position. The Forever Wars and efforts to play God around the world have displaced millions around the world. These unnecessary humanitarian crises are a major factor causing the migration crises our nation faces.

  • Jim Risch (Incumbent)

    • I am one of the strongest advocates of nuclear energy, and the Idaho National Laboratory, in the U.S. Senate, sponsoring numerous bills to revive and sustain this energy source. I will continue advocating for a revitalization of the U.S. nuclear industry as a senior member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Advanced reactors, small modular reactors, and fuel cycle innovation position Idaho as a national leader in next-generation energy development - the future is nuclear and the U.S. needs to embrace it. The demand for energy is growing. Nuclear energy is the answer to this demand. Idaho is uniquely positioned to help fuel this nuclear renaissance.

  • Josh Roy

    • Revitalizing our country starts with revitalizing our families and communities. I will be focused on fighting the influence of social media and other tech companies on children and teens and restoring traditional family values and parental control.

• 5. How would you balance community needs with budget constraints, particularly during times of rising costs?

  • Joe Evans

    • Government must prioritize core responsibilities—such as public safety, infrastructure, and veterans—while cutting waste. Balancing a budget means making federal dollars more accountable and giving local communities the flexibility to solve problems closer to home. Issues like water rights in the Magic Valley or housing in the Treasure Valley are not one-size-fits-all. My standard is simple: spending must serve the people, protect liberty, and respect taxpayers.

  • Denny LaVe

    • We need to stop the bailouts for mega corporations, we need to stop spending hundreds of billions of dollars on wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East, and we need to stop paying for social safety nets for people who are not American citizens. We shouldn’t give corporations tax cuts before we give tax cuts to the working class. If we do all that, we will not only balance the budget, but have money left over to invest even more in senior citizens and in education for the next generations.

  • Jim Risch (Incumbent)

    • Idahoans are being squeezed by rising costs every day. We all see it when we visit the grocery store and gas up our cars. I see it as I run a cattle ranch – the cost of feed, fuel, and other inputs are skyrocketing. Inflation is due to the deficit spending and monetary policy in Washington, D.C. As I mentioned in the question above, the greatest threat to our nation is out-of-control federal spending. It is imperative that we get that under control. I have worked throughout my career in the Senate to do this. The federal government has to spend money on carrying out the powers outlined in the Constitution – protecting our nation, first and foremost. But there are many things funded by the federal government that should be handled at the state or local levels. This is the spending that must be cut in order to tame inflation and help control the rising costs that are hurting every Idaho family.

  • Josh Roy

    • We must cut government waste and return power to the states. Local autonomy, through elected officials, is the best way to meet community needs and reduce costs. Layers of bureaucracy stretching thousands of miles across the country seldom meet local needs well, make poor decisions, and waste vast resources. For example, Federal EPA regulations are the most significant driver of rising city water and sewage prices nationwide. The Constitution in no way gives a federal agency authority to regulate municipal water and sewage systems. This entire area of regulation should be turned over to state management. The yearly savings and the streamlining of urban development would immediately improve the quality of life for everyday Idahoans. This is one example of federal overreach. Thousands more exist. Every agency must be scrutinized to see if its activities could be more effectively managed at a local level.

• 6. With multiple candidates on the ballot, why should voters choose you?

  • Joe Evans

    • I offer constitutional, independent leadership focused on Idaho. As a veteran and a working Idahoan, I understand the pressures our families face because I live in the same economy. I am not running to build a political career, but to restore accountability and ask the hard questions that career politicians avoid. I believe Idahoans want seriousness and judgment: a senator who will defend the Constitution, demand fiscal discipline, and remain strong for Idaho while being hard on Washington.

  • Denny LaVe

    • What sets me a part as a Republican is that I am running on fulfilling the promises of the original Trump campaign of 2016. No more foreign entanglements, no more forever wars, its time to drain the Swamp, and its time to standing up to the corruption of Washington elite on BOTH sides of the aisle.
      I am the only candidate for US Senate in the Idaho Republican Primary who is willing to say no to more foreign aid to any country, who is willing to say we need to ban foreign lobbies buying off our politicians, and who is willing to say we need to bring justice for the victims of the Epstein elite.

  • Jim Risch (Incumbent)

    • I am a solid conservative vote for Idaho, which is something most every candidate says when trying to get elected, but my record proves it without question. Just to name a few examples, I worked to curb illegal immigration, I voted to lower taxes on families and eliminate tax on tips and overtime. I voted against the effort to sell Idaho’s public lands. I consistently oppose any effort to limit or infringe on our right to bear arms. If you enjoy living in Idaho and want to preserve that way of life, you should vote for me. I have been on the front lines fighting for this state for years and if re-elected I will continue that fight.

  • Josh Roy

    • I am the only candidate with the background, relative youth, and lack of political baggage that can tackle the difficult decisions and problems that our country faces. I pledge to get there, do the most good, and get out. I pledge to pursue a Constitutional Amendment for 3 terms for Senators, and I pledge to self-impose that limit regardless. I will foster a competitive race for my successor, then I will mentor and advise whoever the voters choose. I pledge to pursue fighting federal overreach to defend the profitability of family farms, ranches, local production, and processing. I will tackle federal bureaucracy to make cars, houses, electricity, insurance and medical care affordable again. I will help secure our borders and enforce efficient and humane deportation of illegal immigrants. I will pursue all areas of National security, including missile defense, domestic manufacturing, revitalizing our Navy, and increasing innovation in defense procurement. I will defend the traditional nuclear family, traditional values and our rights to raise our children in our faith and way of life in all spaces, public and private.