The Neal Larson Show
Neal Larson is an Associated Press Award-winning newspaper columnist and radio talk show host. He has a BA from Idaho State University in Media Studies and Political Science. Neal is happily married to his wife Esther with their five children in Idaho Falls.
Julie Mason is a long-time resident of east Idaho with a degree in journalism from Ricks College. Julie enjoys reading, baking, and is an avid dog lover. When not on the air she enjoys spending time with her three children and husband of 26 years.
Together these two are a powerhouse of knowledge with great banter that comes together in an entertaining and informative show.
The Neal Larson Show
4.30.2026 - DEBATE: Ehardt vs Cook, INTERVIEW: US Senator Jim Risch
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Today’s show was one of those “no time to breathe” mornings: Neal Larson and Julie Mason set the stage for a live, in-studio legislative debate—complete with Facebook Live, listener texts, and a back-and-forth candidate question segment—because they genuinely believe these races deserve real scrutiny beyond campaign mailers. Before the debate, Neal and Julie also talked candidly about frustrations with party politics in Bingham County and why they still feel an obligation to examine races even when certain candidates refuse to show up.
The main event was the debate between Representative Barb Ehardt and challenger Connor Cook. Cook, an Idaho Falls firefighter/paramedic, framed his candidacy around service, listening, and what he sees firsthand—mental health strain, public safety gaps, and pressure on schools—while arguing the state budget is tighter than leadership admits and that “cut, cut, cut” thinking has consequences. Ehardt emphasized a record built around family-first priorities, constitutional principles, women’s sports and privacy protections, and tax relief—especially property tax reform—while rejecting claims she’s out of touch and pushing back on what she called misinformation and outside political spending. The conversation hit hot points: endorsements and labor ties, the Republican platform, bathroom/privacy policy, property and income tax approaches, Medicaid work requirements and mental health funding, and the role of out-of-state money and PACs in local races.
### Highlights
- Cook defended accepting AFL-CIO-linked support as solidarity from firefighters, while Ehardt distinguished her firefighter endorsement as tied to policy work and committee relationships.
- A major clash on fiscal direction: Cook argued Idaho’s budget situation is being downplayed; Ehardt argued Idaho remains fiscally strong and adjustments reflect post-“inflated” revenue years.
- Property taxes were a centerpiece: Ehardt reiterated interest in eliminating property taxes on a primary residence and floated the sales-tax tradeoff conversation as a starting point.
- Medicaid and mental health: Cook said cuts create real-world fallout that ends up in ERs and jails; Ehardt said mental health reductions were executive-branch driven and that the legislature is working to restore support.
- Both candidates voiced openness to limiting out-of-state political money—while also pointing out money flowing into the race on both sides.
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