Mitchell on race with Risch: ‘It’s a great state, and hopefully we’ll change the politics’

The Associated Press has called Idaho’s U.S. Senate race for Republican incumbent Jim Risch, based on the early results; at this point, with 19 percent of the vote counted, Risch had 61.5 percent to 38.5 percent for Democratic challenger Nels Mitchell.

Mitchell, who was with supporters at the packed Democratic Party election night headquarters at a downtown Boise hotel, said, “It was an honor to be the Democratic nominee. I’ve learned a lot, as a first-time candidate, and it was just a great experience. I got to meet so many people around the state. It’s a great state, and hopefully we’ll change the politics.”

Risch told KTVB-TV, “Clearly there’s going to be a lot more work to do, with us being in the majority. … I’ll have more responsibilities. … There’s a possibility I’ll be chairman of the small business committee. There’s going to be a lot to do and we’re going to get a lot more done.”