Ricks' introduction to politics occurred in the late 1940s and early 1950s when he served as a Republican Precinct Committeeman. He was pressured to run for the Idaho Senate in 1976. He did not run, due to his time-consuming calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as stake president. Because of his calling, he was put in charge of the recovery effort when the Teton Dam collapsed. Ricks was nationally recognized for his leadership in organizing the successful recovery effort.