Oregon Public Broadcasting

Idaho's Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch enjoyed a landslide victory Tuesday night in his bid to become Idaho's next U.S. Senator.

He beat out seven other Republican hopefuls -- all vying for the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Larry Craig.

Risch says if he's elected, he'll work on an energy policy to shore up out-of-control gas prices

Risch takes on Democrat Larry LaRocco in November. LaRocco has spent the past year working a variety of every-day jobs. He says he's been listening in the break rooms to what Idahoans really want.

LaRocco served as an Idaho Congressman and was the last Democrat Idaho residents sent to Congress.

Meanwhile Republican Jim Risch was the state's 31st governor for seven months and heís been relying heavily on that record in his primary campaign.