CD1 Candidate Michael Farrell: Ban Data Centers, Tax the Rich, and Don't Run on Vibes

Stuart Adams is Panicking

Ballots hit Utah mailboxes this week, and Senate President Stuart Adams immediately sent a letter demanding Kevin O'Leary shrink the controversial Stratos data center project by 75%, the same project Adams approved as MIDA chairman. We break down why that's a panic move, not a policy move, and what it says about his primary election chances. Nate Blouin dropped his internal poll in the CD1 Democratic primary. We dig into the top-line numbers and the internals, and explain why the race is still wide open despite McAdams leading at 37%. A shadowy new super PAC running AI attack ads against Blake Moore traces back to the home address of Senator Mike Lee's top political strategist, who wouldn't deny being involved. Plus: Which debate moderator actually did his job? (Hint: it's not a journalist).

CD1 Candidate Michael Farrell: Ban Data Centers, Tax the Rich, and Don't Run on Vibes

Michael Farrell, a Salt Lake City tax attorney and progressive Democrat running in Utah's newly redrawn 1st Congressional District, joins the show to make his case for why he's the right candidate in a crowded Democratic primary. Farrell discusses his personal motivation for running — his mother's terminal illness and $150,000 hospital bill in 2009 — and why he's focused on detailed policy proposals rather than progressive branding.  He breaks down his approach to taxing the wealthy (closing loopholes, new rates on multimillionaires and billionaires), his support for a complete ban on data centers in water-stressed areas like Utah, and how he plans to build bipartisan coalitions while holding firm on core progressive values.

Nate Blouin is not playing it safe

Utah State Senator Nate Blouin sits down with Utah Political Watch to make his case for the Democratic nomination in Utah's 1st Congressional District. In a wide-ranging conversation, Blouin explains his "top vs. bottom" theory of the race, his pledge to drop out if a campaign-commissioned poll shows him trailing fellow progressives Liban Mohammed or Michael Farrell, and why he thinks he's the only candidate built to beat Ben McAdams.  We also dig into the Stratos data center fight in Box Elder County, his legislative record in a Republican supermajority, the challenges of winning a general election as a progressive in a district where Democrats make up just a quarter of registered voters, and what the redrawn congressional map means for Utah.

McAdams survives Utah's CD1 Democratic debate — but the race isn't over

Bryan breaks down Wednesday night's first and only televised debate in Utah's new First Congressional District Democratic primary. Four candidates, one stage, and one frontrunner who just needed to walk out standing. He did.

CD1 debate preview, the data center backlash and why Utah's televised debates are broken

The four Democrats running for Utah's 1st Congressional District take the stage Wednesday night for the only televised debate of the primary, and Bryan has thoughts, mostly skeptical ones, about the format. He breaks down the dynamics and strategy: why Nate Blouin, Liban Mohamed and Michael Farrell all need to attack Ben McAdams while simultaneously fighting each other for the progressive lane. Bryan also explains why Blouin's plan to commission a poll and drop out if he's not the top progressive is, in his view, a political stunt—especially since the ballots are already printed. Plus: why the Kevin O'Leary/Box Elder data center has become a surprisingly potent issue heading into the primary, what it means for Senate President Stuart Adams' re-election race, and why Speaker Mike Schultz is trying to distance himself as fast as possible.