A self-identified middle-class family man from Lewiston, Idaho, is making waves in the race for the U.S. Senate. Josh Roy, 44, is vying for the Republican nomination in a competitive four-way primary. He aims to unseat incumbent Jim Risch, who is seeking a fourth term, alongside two other candidates. Roy’s campaign focuses on family values, term limits, deregulation, and revitalizing the nation’s industrial base.
Roy describes himself as an average citizen and believes that his background gives him a unique perspective in this political landscape. “I’m a mill worker. I am not rich. I have four kids. My house is kind of a mess,” he stated in an interview with the Lewiston Tribune. Despite his relative obscurity and lack of substantial political backing, he is determined to make an impact. He has dedicated weekends to campaigning, asserting that “it can be done” even without a significant campaign budget.
The impetus for Roy’s candidacy came last fall when he researched Risch after writing to him regarding vehicle safety regulations. He was surprised to find that the 82-year-old senator planned to run for another term instead of allowing new leadership to emerge. “My opinion is there should be a couple candidates in the race. And none of them should be named Jim Risch,” Roy commented. He believes it is time for younger voices to take the lead in Congress.
Roy advocates for term limits, promising to serve no more than three terms if elected. He expressed concerns about the aging demographic in Congress, stating, “Congress isn’t a golden parachute job position.” His discussions with voters reveal a strong sentiment against the current age of congressional members.
As a mechanical engineer at Clearwater Paper, Roy emphasizes his experience in running pulp and paper mills. He argues that the U.S. has exported too much of its industrial base, from steel mills to computer chip manufacturing. He advocates for reducing environmental regulations that he claims contribute to inflation and hinder economic growth. “We have to deregulate manufacturing and building and skilled trades,” he said, advocating for a more straightforward process for construction and industrial development.
On social issues, Roy identifies as socially conservative, calling for greater oversight of social media companies, particularly concerning their targeting of children. He has voiced strong opposition to critical race theory and other controversial subjects in education, labeling them as “inappropriate” content for school curriculums.
Risch is campaigning on his record, including his successful efforts to block legislation that would have auctioned off up to 3 million acres of federal public land. In contrast, Roy opposes selling public land to wealthy individuals and corporations. He supports transferring small parcels to the state to foster community growth, ensuring that such land remains accessible to long-term Idaho residents. “It needs to be sold in a manner that serves the needs of the citizens of Idaho so that we can reduce housing costs,” he stated.
As the primary approaches in March 2024, Roy is gathering support and positioning himself as a viable alternative to the established political figure of Risch. More information about his campaign can be found at joshroyforidaho.com.
