What's the story behind the Achilles billboard takedown?

BOISE — A short-lived billboard supporting independent U.S. Senate candidate Todd Achilles that was taken down last week prompted claims from his campaign of being silenced by his Republican opponent Sen. Jim Risch. It appears, however, Risch was not directly involved.

The allegation arrived Monday when the Achilles campaign issued a release stating a request was made to take down one of its billboards, which facetiously congratulates Risch for being the “oldest and richest” senator in Idaho’s history. 

The Achilles campaign worked with advertising agency 116 & West for a statewide buy of billboards from two different companies: Lamar and Yesco. Founder of 116 & West Edward Moore said Lamar received phone calls from “members of the Risch family” informing that one of the billboards was on their property and they wanted to take it down shortly after it went up. 

The release from the Achilles campaign stated that Sen. Risch himself made the takedown “demand.” When reached over the phone, neither Achilles nor Moore affirmed the senator was directly involved; both said it was a family member who made the request. 

The billboard was removed May 1 after it was put up April 27. To compensate, Lamar offered the Achilles campaign two alternative billboard locations, Achilles said in a telephone interview.

Both Achilles and Moore also said they had no knowledge the property belonged to the Risch family prior to the billboard going up. Achilles described it as being “entirely coincidental" and said he only found out after looking into public records on the property's ownership.

The Lamar billboard that previously had the Achilles campaign advertisement is located next to American Trailer Sales in Boise, a business listed on a financial disclosure report from Sen. Risch, which includes properties owned by Risch, his spouse or dependent children. 

Ada County records indicate the property where the billboard is located, 2595 S. Curtis Road, is owned by C&S Investment Company. According to these records, a 2025 filing shows Vicki Risch as the registered agent, essentially the point of contact for the business in the event of legal action. Vicki Risch is also listed as the president of the company, while Risch’s sons are listed as the directors.

The campaign for Sen. Risch did not respond to repeated requests for comment seeking clarity on the matter.