No. 1 of 100 In its annual ranking based on key votes, National Journal calls freshman Sen. Jim Risch "a true stalwart" in casting conservative votes. For example, he was one of just eight GOP senators to vote against the Violence Against Women Act.

How'd he score? Risch, a former Idaho legislator, lieutenant governor and governor, received a 95.8 percent conservative score, besting Republicans John Cornyn of Texas, recently resigned Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.

What about Idaho's other senator? Mike Crapo was No. 9 on the list, at 87.3 percent.

What about the House? The ranking of the top 25 conservatives there was released Tuesday, but neither of Idaho's representatives, Republicans Raul Labrador and Mike Simpson, made the cut. The most conservative member: former Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., who scored 97 percent. He lost what was seen as a sure-bet Senate race in November after making controversial comments about rape.