At Sanders rally, Idaho officials urge that ‘it’s time to self-rescue’
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, took the stage Monday night to the roar of applause, cheers and feet stomping in the bleachers at the jam-packed Ford Idaho Center.
The Nampa event was the 12th stop on Sanders’ “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, which he kicked off in Omaha, Nebraska, in late February. The series of rallies, which also prominently feature U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, are billed as a discussion with Americans to regain power from billionaires and corporate influence in government.
The rallies have drawn record crowds in some cities, and event organizers said they closed doors at the Idaho Center with 12,500 attendees. Its listed capacity is 12,200.
Sanders has had strong support in Idaho in the past. In 2016, he won the Democratic primary against eventual nominee Hillary Clinton with 78% of caucus votes.
Sanders’ 30-minute speech raised alarm over billionaires’ involvement in President Donald Trump’s White House, primarily the controversial Department of Government Efficiency’s Elon Musk. Sanders focused broadly on the need for livable wages, access to health care and affordable housing, and similar issues that have long been part of the Independent politician’s platform.
“What we have to have is an agenda that speaks to the needs of all Americans, whether you’re in Idaho or Vermont or anyplace else,” Sanders said.
Ocasio-Cortez urged Idaho voters to “give Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson the boot” during her speech, referring to the Republican U.S. House members from Idaho who move almost in lockstep with Trump. Both are up for reelection in 2026. She also called out Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo over their votes to cut Medicaid.
“They know that it hurts the working families of Idaho, but they are not here to serve working families,” she said. “They are here to serve themselves.”
Idaho politicians, organizers and doctors brought those same issues back to the Gem State in opening speeches that addressed the state’s abortion ban and Medicaid cuts, and the impacts of Trump policies.
Idaho speakers bring Sanders’ message home
Nate Roberts, a former Democratic member of the Idaho House who is running to regain the seat he lost in 2024, opened the event with a call to attendees to “make democracy your side hustle.” Roberts, of Pocatello, said he was drawn to politics after attending a Sanders event in Idaho Falls in 2016, and became more involved in his electricians union.
Roberts served a single term. He told attendees that he was proud to protect teachers unions, labor rights and Medicaid.
“Don’t let them tell you one vote doesn’t matter,” Roberts said. “One vote protected Idaho’s Medicaid system for two years running.”
Lawmakers passed a law to cut Medicaid expansion funds in the most recent session.
Rep. Todd Achilles, D-Boise, spoke about the impacts of the Trump administration’s cuts to federal jobs, particularly in the Veterans Administration and organizations that oversee public lands.
“It’s only taken about four months for us to shoot down the theory that billionaires should run America like a business,” Achilles said.
He likened the current political state to signs that sometimes warn hunters and backpackers to proceed with caution in the backcountry.
“Idaho, no one is coming to save us,” Achilles said. “It’s time to self-rescue.”
Chandler Bursey, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1273, the union representing federal workers at the Boise VA, spoke after Achilles. Bursey said the Trump administration “killed” the union’s collective bargaining agreement last week. He said if Trump officials’ plans to cut VA jobs are approved, the local hospital will lose at least 300 workers.
“If you’re a veteran, you should be mad,” Bursey said. “If you know a veteran, you should be mad.”
This story was originally published April 14, 2025 at 8:21 PM.
