This race in Idaho is beginning to gather national attention. Andrew Yang has interviewed Todd Achilles on his podcast. There is an energy behind Achilles to win the seat that I don’t ever remember for an independent candidate in Idaho. It’s exciting.

I’m supporting Achilles for several reasons.

First, Sen. Risch is 83 years old. God bless you, Risch, for your service, but it’s time to move over for the next generation. If Risch wins again, he’ll either die in office or finish his term at the age of 89. Come on, Idaho voters. You can’t possibly believe an 83-year-old is energetic enough to take on the problems of Idaho or the nation. Achilles told me, “Risch is the third most powerful person in the U.S on foreign affairs, and foreign affairs have never been worse.”

Achilles is in his prime, 58 years old. He’s a veteran. He was a tank commander in the Gulf War in Kuwait. He’s a college professor teaching public policy at Boise State University and the College of Idaho. He was appointed to fill in a Democratic seat in the Idaho Legislature, where he impressed colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

As an independent, he can and has promised to vote for what is right, and not just follow party loyalty laws. That means if elected, he’ll be in a powerful position to be a swing vote. Three other independent candidates are gaining momentum. Seth Bodner in Montana and Brian Bengs of South Dakota are all Senate candidates with Achilles. And Dan Osborne in Nebraska. All military veterans and all independent. They’re all three military veterans, and they could prove to be a force that must be reckoned with if they’re all elected.

Our current senator, Jim Risch, has frustrated me for a long time. He hasn’t held a town hall meeting in the Gem State for 18 years. The only way I could ever get a soundbite was to chase him down at a friendly venue like a Lincoln Day dinner.

Achilles is now calling on Sen. Risch to debate him all across Idaho, and not just once. According to his website, he wants debates in Boise, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Pocatello and Lewiston. Wouldn’t that be fantastic?

He said, “Let’s take unscripted questions, defend our records, lay out what we each want for this state, so the people decide who’s earned the privilege of representing them rather than leaving it to party advertising and million-dollar television campaigns.”

So far, more than 2,600 Idahoans have signed their names to a list asking Risch to debate Achilles. Go to his website to learn how you can add your name

Risch, you’ve aged out. I know how it feels. It’s just life.