Independent Todd Achilles released a campaign ad called “How Not To Start Wars,” positioning himself as a veteran and businessperson who opposes reflexive support for party leadership. The ad won attention online but the campaign faces long odds in a deeply Republican state.
Todd Achilles, an independent and veteran with business experience, released an ad criticizing incumbent Republican Sen. Jim Risch for following party leadership into unnecessary wars.
The ad — titled “How Not To Start Wars” — drew viral attention and praise on social platforms, but Achilles’ campaign acknowledges the long odds of an independent winning in Idaho.
The piece frames Achilles as a contrast to Risch: willing to break with party orthodoxy on foreign policy and present practical experience rather than partisan loyalty.
# What happened
Todd Achilles, running as an independent for U.S. Senate in Idaho, released a campaign ad called "How Not To Start Wars." The ad positions Achilles as a veteran and businessperson who rejects automatic deference to party leadership on matters of war. It targets incumbent Republican Sen. Jim Risch, labeling him a "rubber stamp for Trump" on foreign-policy decisions.
# Why the ad gained attention
The ad was shared and praised on social platforms. A tweet highlighted the spot and called it a contender for "best campaign ad of the year." Coverage on Crooks and Liars framed the ad as notable for candidate quality and message clarity, even while noting the electoral realities in Idaho.
# Who Todd Achilles says he is
Achilles presents himself as a veteran with private-sector experience and "common sense." His campaign messaging emphasizes a willingness to challenge party leaders who, in his view, push the United States into "needless wars." The campaign website mentioned in coverage is AchillesForIdaho.com.
# What the ad argues about Jim Risch
The ad accuses Risch of reflexively following party leadership and aligning with decisions that can lead to unnecessary conflicts. It uses that contrast to try to appeal to voters who prioritize independent judgment on national-security issues over strict party loyalty.
# The electoral context in Idaho
# Immediate effects and signal value
The ad's reach on social media and the praise it received matter for two reasons: they increase visibility for Achilles' campaign and they spotlight a specific critique of Risch on foreign policy. Even if the campaign's path to victory is narrow, the ad amplifies an argument about how senators should approach decisions that can lead to war.
# Where this fits in the broader conversation
This spot fits into a larger pattern of influential campaign ads shaping narrative even when the candidate's electoral prospects are limited. It also reflects a strand of 2026 campaign messaging that emphasizes skepticism about party-driven foreign-policy choices.
# Bottom line
The "How Not To Start Wars" ad elevated Todd Achilles' profile and clarified his argument against Jim Risch's approach to national-security matters. The campaign highlights Achilles' veteran and business background as an alternative to partisan alignment, but the coverage is explicit that an independent victory in Idaho remains unlikely.
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