James Ruchti

James Ruchti

Democratic Party

Candidate, Idaho State Senate District 29

Idaho State Senate District 29

Tenure

2022 - Present

Term ends

2026

Years in position

2

Predecessor

Eva Nye

Prior offices

Idaho House of Representatives District 29B

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Compensation

Base salary

$19,913/year

Per diem

For legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol: $74/day. For legislators residing more than 50 miles from the capitol: $221/day.

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Next election

November 3, 2026

Education

High school

Pocatello High School

Bachelor's

United States Military Academy West Point, 1993

Law

University of Idaho College of Law, 2001

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Personal

Birthplace

Pocatello, Idaho

Profession

Attorney/Small Business Owner

Contact

Official website

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

James Ruchti (Democratic Party) is a member of the Idaho State Senate, representing District 29. He assumed office on December 1, 2022. His current term ends on December 1, 2026.

Ruchti (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the Idaho State Senate to represent District 29. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.

Biography

James Ruchti was born in Pocatello, Idaho. Ruchti served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 1998 and reached the rank of captain. He graduated from Pocatello High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1993 and a J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 2001. Ruchti's career experience includes working as a partner at Ruchti & Beck Law Offices and a military intelligence officer with the U.S. Army.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2021-2022

Ruchti was assigned to the following committees:

• House Agricultural Affairs Committee
• Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee
• Revenue and Taxation Committee

2009-2010

Ruchti served on these committees:

• Revenue and Taxation
• Transportation and Defense
• Ways and Means

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2026

See also: Idaho State Senate elections, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for Idaho State Senate District 29

Incumbent James Ruchti and John Crowder are running in the general election for Idaho State Senate District 29 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		James Ruchti (D)
	Submit photo	John Crowder (R)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2024

See also: Idaho State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for Idaho State Senate District 29

Incumbent James Ruchti won election in the general election for Idaho State Senate District 29 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Ruchti (D)	100.0	16,155

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,155
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Idaho State Senate District 29

Incumbent James Ruchti advanced from the Democratic primary for Idaho State Senate District 29 on May 21, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Ruchti	100.0	1,155

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,155
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Ruchti in this election.

2022

See also: Idaho State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Idaho State Senate District 29

James Ruchti defeated David Worley in the general election for Idaho State Senate District 29 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Ruchti (D)	54.1	7,863
		David Worley (R)	45.9	6,678

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,541
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Idaho State Senate District 29

James Ruchti advanced from the Democratic primary for Idaho State Senate District 29 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Ruchti	100.0	1,377

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,377
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Idaho State Senate District 29

David Worley advanced from the Republican primary for Idaho State Senate District 29 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Worley	100.0	3,903

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,903
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: Idaho House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Idaho House of Representatives District 29B

James Ruchti won election in the general election for Idaho House of Representatives District 29B on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Ruchti (D)	100.0	14,679

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,679
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Idaho House of Representatives District 29B

James Ruchti advanced from the Democratic primary for Idaho House of Representatives District 29B on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Ruchti	100.0	2,501

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,501
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

To view Ruchti's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.

2010

See also: Idaho House of Representatives elections, 2010

Ruchti did not run for re-election in 2010.

2008

On November 4, 2008, Democrat James Ruchti won re-election to the Idaho House of Representatives District 29B receiving 54.4% of the vote (10,520 votes), ahead of Republican James Dorman who received 45.6% of the vote (8,823 votes).

Idaho House of Representatives, District 29B (2008)
Candidates		Votes	Percent
James Ruchti (D)		10,520	54.4%
James Dorman (R)		8,823	45.6%

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

James Ruchti has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to James Ruchti asking him to fill out the survey. If you are James Ruchti, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?

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You can ask James Ruchti to fill out this survey by using the button below or emailing james@jamesforidaho.com.

2024

James Ruchti completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ruchti's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is James Ruchti. I am the state senator for District 29 in Idaho. I am a trial lawyer, a former military intelligence officer and a West Point graduate. I am also a 5th generation Idahoan. My legislative work is based on my values. I want to make sure we create an Idaho for the future where our children and grandchildren will want, and be able, to start their careers and their families here. I am committed to high quality public education, protecting consumers from unscrupulous behavior in the marketplace, supporting our first responders, and fostering an economy that provides opportunity to every citizen. Through thoughtful legislation and active community engagement, I strive to ensure that our laws reflect the values and needs of the people I represent.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• First Key Message: Commitment to Education I believe in the power of public education to transform lives and communities. My focus is on ensuring that every child in Idaho has access to a high-quality education, which is essential for a bright future and a strong economy.
• Second Key Message: Hard Work, Fairness and Economic Growth My vision includes an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy. I advocate for fair wages, affordable housing, and policies that support small businesses and rural communities, aiming to create a balanced and sustainable economic environment. In Idaho, hard work should pay off, no matter who you are or where you live or what you do for a living.
• Third Key Message: Healthcare Access and Autonomy I am dedicated to making healthcare accessible and affordable for all Idahoans. This includes supporting medical freedom and ensuring that individuals have the right to make personal health decisions without undue government interference.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public Education: I am committed to fighting for proper funding and resources for public schools, knowing that education is a fundamental foundation for a bright economic future.

Economic Development: Economic development doesn’t just happen by accident. We need to find ways to reward entrepreneurship and innovation. We need to promote efforts to train workers for the new economy and to meet the needs of Idaho’s industries. We also need to constantly reassess our infrastructure needs to ensure we are meeting those needs before they become a crisis.

Healthcare and Public Safety: Ensuring that all Idahoans have access to affordable healthcare and that our communities are safe is paramount.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My dad. He had some strikes against him growing up, but he never let that get in his way. He was a first generation college attendee, a great member of our community and just a good human being.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, transparency, and a deep commitment to the community are essential. An effective leader listens, empathizes, and acts with both courage and prudence to represent the diverse interests of their constituents.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I look out for the underdog. Government works for the connected and the privileged. It is the unconnected and the unprivileged that need representation in the legislature.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

My primary role is to legislate effectively, representing the interests and well-being of all Idahoans, and especially my constituents. This involves crafting and supporting legislation that enhances our economic, educational, and social environments while protecting the freedoms and rights intrinsic to our way of life.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be remembered as someone who fought for those who needed a voice and as a strong advocate for public education.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember celebrating the bicentennial in 1976. I would have been 7 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My brother and I used to shovel snow in the winter and mow lawns in the summer.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Balancing the demands of public service with my law practice and family time is a constant struggle.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

It should be collaborative, yet independent. While both branches should work towards the common good of Idahoans, a healthy tension allows for checks and balances that ensure diverse viewpoints lead to comprehensive solutions.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Over the next decade, addressing public education funding, managing population growth effectively, and ensuring sustainable economic development are critical challenges we must face head on.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. We have 105 legislators in Idaho. Some of them will have previous experience in government or politics. Others will be small business owners, educators, farmers, lawyers and the list goes on and on. These combined diverse backgrounds make our part-time legislature capable of solving Idaho’s challenges.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. Building strong bipartisan relationships helps create a collaborative environment necessary for effective governance and finding common ground on complex issues.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I admire those like former U.S. Senator Frank Church and former Governor Cecil Andrus, who exemplified dedication to civil liberties and environmental protection – values I hold dear.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

My focus remains on serving the people of Idaho as a state senator. The future will depend on where I believe I can make the most significant impact.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I heard recently that Idaho State University (in my community) had 90 students withdraw their applications to attend because – even though they found a way to pay for tuition and fees – they could not afford housing in my community. That tells me housing scarcity is a challenge, especially for young people trying to get started in life.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

The legislature should have a limited role in granting or overseeing emergency powers. Deliberative bodies like the legislature are not good at managing emergencies, so giving them too much power in this arena is not a good idea.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I would answer this a little differently. My most important priority is to stop any voucher proposal. Vouchers divert money from our public education system and send that money to private, religious and home schools without accountability for how the money is spent.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Idaho AFL-CIO, Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho, Idaho Prosperity Fund, Idaho Education Association, Conservation Voters for Idaho, Idaho Trial Lawyers Association PAC, Idaho Farm Bureau Agra-PAC, ANRIPAC, Idaho Dairy Industry PAC.

What committees interest you?

I am particularly interested in committees that focus on public education, consumer protection and the civil justice system.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

These are non-negotiable pillars of good governance. I advocate for clear, accessible reporting of government activities and spending to ensure that public officials are accountable to the people they serve. Taxpayer money should be used with accountability.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

James Ruchti did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

James Ruchti completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ruchti's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a 5th generation Idahoan, West Point graduate, former Army military intelligence officer, small business owner and a litigation attorney. I was born and raised in Pocatello. My wife, Wendy, and I raised our two boys here. I served in the Idaho House from 2006-10. My proudest legislative accomplishments were getting my bills passed extending the civil statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases and adding additional protections to the Idaho Consumer Protection Act to protect the elderly and disabled. After deciding against a third term, a law school friend of mine and I opened Ruchti & Beck Law Offices - a plaintiffs firm that serves clients all over southeast and east Idaho. With the firm in great shape and our boys graduated from college, Wendy and I decided it was a good time for me to serve our community again.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am focused on solutions and not party politics.
• I will keep my constituents informed and seek their input as I decide how to best serve my constituents.
• I work hard for those I represent, and I do it with integrity. I'll make you proud I represent you.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education is the foundation for helping Idahoans live their best lives. Education provides the pathway to good jobs with living wages. From innovation to industry to small businesses, it drives the engine of our economy. It also increases our understanding of the world around us, makes us more tolerant of others and helps us be better citizens in our constitutional democracy. Every generation has one shot at getting a high quality education in Idaho. We owe it to them to get it right.

Small businesses need our support. I know the struggles of making clients happy, ensuring cash flow, paying overhead, finding quality employees, and knowing when to take risks and when to play it safe. I will work to support small businesses.

One of the best things about living in Idaho is the outdoor recreational opportunities. We have unrivaled landscapes, rivers, lakes, mountains and hiking trails. It just doesn't get better than Idaho's outdoors. I will work to keep those opportunities available to all of us.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I work hard. I am committed to serving with integrity. I value getting things done over partisan politics.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities for someone elected to the Idaho Legislature is to make government work well for Idahoans. That means focusing less on partisan politics and more on plain and simple good government.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to be known as somebody who treats everyone with respect.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

The Idaho House tends to be more rough and tumble. The Idaho Senate tends to be more deliberative and have less turmoil. This is a cultural difference, but also driven by the fact that the Idaho House has half the members of the Idaho Senate.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I don't think it matters. The strength of the body is that it has people in it from all kinds of backgrounds, ages, professions, etc. My concern is that the hyper-partisan nature of politics is selecting legislators who think about what their own party wants first, and then considers what is best for their constituents. The latter often gets buried in considering the former. This does not produce good government, it does not serve constituents well, and it is bad for democracy.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

I am concerned about extremism and the effect it is having on elected officials and public policy.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

The Governor should execute the public policy established by the Legislature. The Legislature should keep the Executive Branch in check and, where needed, the Governor should do the same to the Legislature. There should be tension in that relationship if it is working correctly.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Building relationships with other legislators is critical to doing the job. Those relationships - knowing about each others' families, careers, philosophies, hobbies and passions - are the foundation for getting work done in the Legislature. While that art does not seem to be practiced as much as it used to be in the Idaho Legislature, all legislators should take the time to get to know their colleagues.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I favor a citizen commission of at least 6, evenly divided between people selected by Republicans and Democrats. A tie-braking vote only should be provided to the chairperson of the committee. The chairperson should be a senior-status judge appointed by the Idaho Supreme Court.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2008

In 2008, Ruchti raised $55,102.

Listed below are those who contributed the most to his campaign.

Donor	Amount
Idaho Education Association	$2,000
Idaho Power Co.	$2,000
Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho	$1,500
Idaho Association of Realtors	$1,250
Qwest Communications	$1,250
Angela R. Sellman	$1,100
Kenneth L. Pedersen	$1,000
Communications Workers of America Local 7621	$1,000
Idaho Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA Pac)	$1,000

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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James Ruchti campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Idaho State Senate District 29	Won general	$113,141	$114,115
2022	Idaho State Senate District 29	Won general	$128,116	$137,449
2020	Idaho House of Representatives District 29B	Won general	$75,148	N/A**
Grand total			$316,404	$251,564
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Idaho

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Idaho scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].

In 2024, the Idaho State Legislature was in session from January 8 to April 10. ACLU Idaho Legislators are scored on their stance on civil liberties issues. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business and economic issues. Idaho Freedom Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Idaho Wildlife Federation Legislators are scored on how they voted on sportsman-related bills. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the Idaho State Legislature was in session from January 9 to April 6. ACLU Idaho Legislators are scored on their stance on civil liberties issues. Idaho Freedom Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Idaho Wildlife Federation Legislators are scored on how they voted on sportsman-related bills. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. The Institute for Legislative Analysis Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the Idaho State Legislature was in session from January 10 to March 31. ACLU Idaho Legislators are scored on their stance on civil liberties issues. Citizens Alliance of Idaho Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to upholding and defending Idaho values. Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business and economic issues. Idaho Business for Education Legislators are scored on their stance on education policy. Idaho Freedom Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Idaho Wildlife Federation Legislators are scored on how they voted on sportsman-related bills. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Idaho State Legislature was in session from January 11 to November 17. ACLU Idaho Legislators are scored on their stance on civil liberties issues. Idaho Business for Education Legislators are scored on their stance on education policy. Idaho Freedom Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Idaho Wildlife Federation Legislators are scored on how they voted on sportsman-related bills. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

Noteworthy events

Tested positive for coronavirus on March 18, 2021

See also: Politicians, candidates, and government officials diagnosed with or quarantined due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit

On March 18, 2021, Ruchti tested positive for coronavirus.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

James is married to Wendy Ruchti. They have two children and reside in Pocatello, Idaho.

See also

2026 Elections

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Candidate

Idaho State Senate District 29

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Idaho State Senate District 29

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Eva Nye (D)	Idaho State Senate District 29 2022-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by Elaine Smith (D)	Idaho House of Representatives District 29B 2020-2022	Succeeded by Nate Roberts (D)
Preceded by -	Idaho House of Representatives District 29B 2006	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the Idaho State Senate

Leadership

Majority Leader:Lori Den Hartog

Minority Leader:Melissa Wintrow

Senators

District 1

Jim Woodward (R)

District 2

Phil Hart (R)

District 3

Doug Okuniewicz (R)

District 4

Ben Toews (R)

District 5

Carl Bjerke (R)

District 6

Dan Foreman (R)

District 7

Cindy Carlson (R)

District 8

Christy Zito (R)

District 9

Brandon Shippy (R)

District 10

Tammy Nichols (R)

District 11

Camille Blaylock (R)

District 12

Ben Adams (R)

District 13

Brian Lenney (R)

District 14

C. Scott Grow (R)

District 15

Codi Galloway (R)

District 16

Alison Rabe (D)

District 17

Carrie Semmelroth (D)

District 18

Janie Ward-Engelking (D)

District 19

Melissa Wintrow (D)

District 20

Josh Keyser (R)

District 21

Treg Bernt (R)

District 22

Lori Den Hartog (R)

District 23

Todd Lakey (R)

District 24

Glenneda Zuiderveld (R)

District 25

Josh Kohl (R)

District 26

Ron Taylor (D)

District 27

Kelly Anthon (R)

District 28

Jim Guthrie (R)

District 29

James Ruchti (D)

District 30

Julie VanOrden (R)

District 31

Van Burtenshaw (R)

District 32

Kevin Cook (R)

District 33

David Lent (R)

District 34

Doug Ricks (R)

District 35

Mark Harris (R)

Republican Party (29)

Democratic Party (6)