Todd Achilles doesn’t like what he sees in either the Republican or the Democratic party. 

“The biggest issue is we don’t have representation in D.C. that is looking out for Idahoans,” the Boise man said.

He said it’s a result of a two-party system that is fundamentally broken. He said the national debt goes up no matter who holds office “because they built a system that is perpetuating parties instead of the Constitution.” 

He believes he can help set things straight.

The Democratic representative resigned as of July 1 from his House seat representing District 16, declared he is running as an independent, and has launched a campaign to take on Idaho U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, a seat he has held for 16 years.

“I will fight for Idahoans, rather than fighting for politics,” Achilles said during a stop at The Press on Monday.

He believes Risch, who is up for election next year and plans to run again, is vulnerable.

“Not a lot of people in the state know him,” Achilles said. “I think the people that do know him aren’t really happy with him.” 

He said that’s because the cost of pretty much everything continues rising. The 57-year-old said Idahoans are not better off today than they were years ago. 

"And we’re not solving these problems,” he said. "They're struggling to get by in this state. It's not a function of markets. It's a function of policy."

Achilles grew up on a family farm in Oregon. He served in the Army from 1992 to 1995 as a tank commander and armor officer, with two deployments to the Persian Gulf. The Army, he said, taught him teamwork, leadership and grit, all of which will serve his country well if he is elected.  

He worked for more than two decades in the tech sector, including stints with T-Mobile and Hewlett-Packard. Today, he teaches public policy and is the co-founder and president of Veterans for Idaho Voters, “a coalition of military veterans dedicated to advocating for fair elections, citizens initiatives, civil politics and sensible policies.” 

It includes former Idaho Gov. Butch Otter as honorary chairman, former Congressman Larry LaRocco and Coeur d'Alene City Councilor Christie Wood. 

“I am really proud of that organization,” Achilles said. 

Achilles is on a North Idaho campaign tour, with stops in McCall, Grangeville, Lewiston, Wallace, St. Maries and Sandpoint. 

He said he repeatedly hears similar concerns from people. 

“They’re struggling to get by,” he said. “Call it an affordability crisis.” 

Achilles introduced a bill in the last session to ban algorithmic price fixing. He said an example of that is when national property managers share data with a third party and use it to coordinate rent hikes. 

“It’s most severe in the Treasure Valley and up here,” he said. “With huge increases in rent, people just have their backs to the wall.” 

He said the state must crack down on such practices and start exercising antitrust laws. 

“It’s price fixing, straight up,” Achilles said. 

He said he enjoyed his time in the Legislature, established strong relationships and was considering staying, but saw an opportunity to have a bigger impact.

“I feel a duty to serve the country at a national level because we’re failing as a country,” he said. “I just felt it was my duty to run. And I’m going to win.” 

He believes the combination of his military experience, work in the tech sector and time in the Legislature has prepared him for Congress.

He said there is a large block of Idaho voters who are asking, "Who is representing me?” 

“I think those are the folks looking for something new,” Achilles said. “Idahoans are tired of the politics. They just want someone who knows how to solve problems.”