Biography

James Ruchti was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, and is a 1987 graduate of Pocatello High School. He received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated from that institution in 1993. He also served a mission Sweden for the LDS Church from 1989 to 1991. Upon graduation from West Point, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, Military Intelligence Branch. He was honorably discharged as a Captain in 1998. During his time in the military, he served as a platoon leader, executive officer, and an operations officer. James served in Germany, Arizona, and Georgia. He also spent time in Jordan and Kuwait.

After leaving the military, James returned to school at the University of Idaho where he received his Juris Doctorate in 2001. While attending law school, he was part of a two-person team that won the Conrad B. Duberstein National Moot Court Competition in New York City. Following graduation from law school, he served for one year as a law clerk to the Honorable B. Lynn Winmill, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Idaho.

Upon graduation from West Point, James married Wendy Perry, who also grew up in Bannock County. James and Wendy have been married for 15 years and have two sons: fourteen year old Spencer and eleven year old Drew. Wendy has a Ph.D. in Math Education and works as an educator. James' parents, Ross and Anita, are lifelong residents of Pocatello, both having retired from ISU. He has five siblings. James currently practices law with Cooper & Larsen, Chartered in Pocatello. James enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with his family.

James was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives in 2006 and represented Bannock County in the 2007 and 2008 Legislative Sessions. He serves on the Judiciary Rules and Administration Committee, the Revenue and Taxation Committee and the Transportation and Defense Committee.