Episode Details

On today’s BIG INTERVIEW, Jesse sits down with independent Senate candidate Todd Achilles, who is taking on longtime Republican Senator Jim Risch in deep-red Idaho. A lifelong Republican who also served as a Democrat in the Idaho legislature, Achilles explains why he believes voters are increasingly fed up with the two-party system—and why an independent candidate can compete in a state Donald Trump carried by 36 points.

They dive into Achilles’ campaign to unseat an 83-year-old incumbent, his push for sweeping congressional reforms, and why he believes term limits, age limits, a stock-trading ban, campaign finance reform, and an end to gerrymandering could help restore trust in Congress. Achilles also explains why he refuses to caucus with either party and how a group of independent Senate candidates could potentially hold the balance of power in Washington.

The conversation then turns to the issues driving voters in Idaho, from skyrocketing housing costs and stagnant wages to the decline of rural hospitals and the changing economics of the state. Achilles discusses his support for unions, the need for more high-paying jobs, and why he believes Washington has failed to respond to the affordability crisis facing Idahoans.

Jesse and Achilles also take a deep dive into artificial intelligence, Big Tech, and the growing concentration of economic power. Achilles argues that the AI industry needs more competition rather than government protection for the biggest companies, while also criticizing the enormous and inefficient data centers being built across the country. They explore the broader antitrust fight, from AI and wireless carriers to the agricultural industry, where a handful of companies control huge portions of the seed and meat markets.

Finally, they discuss Trump's tariffs and their impact on Idaho agriculture, U.S. foreign policy and the war in Iran, and Achilles’ criticism of Senator Risch’s record as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. With the Senate race shaping up as a rare head-to-head contest between an independent and a Republican incumbent, Achilles explains why he believes Idaho voters are ready for an alternative—and why breaking the two-party system could be the first step toward fixing Congress.

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