Idaho Lt. Gov. Jim Risch has declared victory in his run for the U.S. Senate, with 25 percent of precincts reporting. He leads Democrat Larry LaRocco, 57 percent to 36 percent, with independent Rex Rammell trailing with 5 percent and Libertarian Kent Marmon and independent Pro-Life with 1 percent each. “Gov. Otter, thank you so much for getting on board early in this campaign and encouraging me.” He also offered thanks to Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, who co-chaired his campaign, and said, “Larry Craig, Suzanne Craig, thank you for your service to the great state of Idaho,” a statement that was met with applause and some cheers.

Risch told supporters at the Idaho GOP election night party at the Doubletree Riverside, “My fellow Idahoans, you’ve hired me to do this job and I commit to you that I will work as hard at this job as I did when I was your governor. … We have a tremendous number of challenges facing us. … We’re Americans. We can do this. All we need to do is roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

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