The Lars Larson Show Interviews

Candidates promise lower taxes, safer streets, and fiscal responsibility on the campaign trail—but do those promises disappear after Election Day? As Washington faces record tax increases and ongoing public safety concerns, many voters are asking whether elected leaders are delivering on what they promised.

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank joins the show to discuss whether Washington's elected leaders are keeping their commitments to voters, the impact of recent tax and public safety policies, and why he believes integrity and accountability in government matter now more than ever.

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A defense bill that includes a pay raise for America's troops, new investments in shipbuilding, and expanded drone technology has stalled after Senate Democrats united to block it. Is this legitimate oversight, or are politics getting in the way of national security?

Mark Vargas is Editor-in-Chief of the Illinois Review and a former member of the Iraq Task Force in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He joins the show to discuss why the annual defense authorization bill stalled in the Senate, what it means for military readiness, and whether partisan battles are delaying critical support for America's armed forces.

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Oregon's governor has signaled she wants to scrap the state's controversial Climate Protection Program, yet regulators are moving ahead with a plan that would put billions of dollars from carbon credits under the control of a California nonprofit. Who should decide where that money goes—and who should oversee it?

Nigel Jaquiss is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter with the Oregon Journalism Project. He joins the show to discuss Oregon's Climate Protection Program, why a California-based nonprofit was selected to manage the funds, and what it means for transparency, accountability, and taxpayers.

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The economy may be adding jobs, but are they the kinds of careers that can support families and strengthen the country? As businesses struggle to find skilled workers and young Americans rethink higher education, what's the best path to long-term economic opportunity?

Thomas Jones is a workforce and economic policy expert. He joins the show to discuss the state of America's labor market, the growing demand for skilled workers, and what policymakers can do to help create more high-paying jobs and expand economic opportunity.

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Several states are moving to ban or restrict common self-defense tools, arguing the measures will improve public safety. But do these laws leave law-abiding citizens more vulnerable while doing little to stop criminals?

Kyler Schmit is the Director of State Affairs for the U.S. Concealed Carry Association. He joins the show to discuss the latest state efforts to restrict self-defense rights, what those proposals could mean for responsible gun owners, and why he believes Americans should have the ability to protect themselves and their families.

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A federally designated accessible trail was built to help people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors, but years of neglect have left it unsafe and nearly unusable. With billions of dollars in deferred maintenance, are public agencies living up to their promises on accessibility and stewardship?

Brent Oliver is the founder of the Brent Oliver541 Foundation and the Meaningful Access Coalition. Living with a spinal cord injury himself, he joins the show to discuss the deteriorating accessible trail at Jubilee Lake, government accountability for maintaining public lands, and his effort to restore meaningful outdoor access for Americans with disabilities.

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For decades, one Oregon family says it legally maintained the sand dunes surrounding its Cannon Beach home. Now, state regulators have changed course, leaving the family unable to protect their property as sand slowly engulfs it. When should government be able to stop homeowners from maintaining their own land?

Stacy Niedermeyer is a Cannon Beach property owner whose family has battled encroaching sand for more than 50 years. She joins the show to discuss why the state ended a long-standing permit process, how the decision is affecting her family's home, and what she believes it says about property rights in Oregon.

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A group of women had to stop an alleged attacker themselves after waiting more than half an hour for Portland police to respond. Is this what residents should expect when they call 911?

Jeff Helfrich is an Oregon State Representative and a retired Portland police lieutenant. He joins the show to discuss the city's ongoing staffing shortages, the 31-minute response time to an assault at Council Crest Park, and what it will take to restore timely emergency response in Portland.

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Billions of dollars in unclaimed U.S. savings bonds are sitting in federal accounts while millions of Americans may not even know the money belongs to them. Should the government keep holding it, or work to return it to its rightful owners?

Vivek Malek is Missouri State Treasurer. He joins the show to discuss the effort by state treasurers to persuade the Treasury Department to release nearly $39 billion in unclaimed savings bonds, why the money remains tied up, and what it would take to reunite families with their property.

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The sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham has set off a scramble for one of the country's most influential Senate seats. Who is best positioned to carry the Republican banner, and what does the race mean for the future of the GOP?

Mark Lynch is a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate from South Carolina who challenged Sen. Lindsey Graham in the 2026 GOP primary and has announced he will run in the special election. He joins the show to discuss the race to succeed Graham, the direction of the Republican Party, and why he believes he's the right choice to represent South Carolina.

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