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Inside Politics
Dem Divides on Display in Close Michigan Senate Primary; Trump Says Data Centers to Pledge to Prevent Rising Energy Costs; Member of Team USA Men's Hockey Attend State of the Union; Democrats Eye Upset in Alaska in Quest for Senate Majority, Mary Peltola vs. Dan Sullivan; Embattled GOP Rep. Gonzales Says He is Not Going to Resign; Five House Republicans Say Gonzales Should Quit Now. Aired 12:30-1p ET
Aired February 25, 2026 - 12:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[12:30:00]
DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT AND ANCHOR OF 'INSIDE POLITICS': -- definitely check out Natasha's great reporting on cnn.com. There it is. We'll give you a second. I'm sure you got it.
Up next, I'll talk to one of the Democrats running in the Senate primary that our friend, David Axelrod, calls the most fascinating and consequential primary of the year.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BASH: There is an open Senate seat this November in one of the closest battleground states in the nation, Michigan. And right now, there is a fascinating three-way contest to be the Democratic nominee in that race. I want to bring in one of the candidates to talk about the state of her race and the president's State of the Union last night. Mallory McMorrow serves in the Michigan State Senate.
[12:35:00]
Thank you so much for being here. Let's start with the State of the Union. The president made the case that the nation is upset about the economy and it's a hangover from the nation being upset about the economy under President Biden. What you saw in Michigan is that play out in a win in your state for President Trump? How are people feeling now and will his message resonate?
MALLORY MCMORROW, (D) MICHIGAN STATE SENATOR: I mean, the president last night made the case that our country is living through a golden age and said that people are tired of winning. And what I hear on the ground is don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. We just had a briefing here in the state Senate as we head into the State of the State address tonight that shows the average Michigander needs to make $90,000 a year to afford to buy a home.
Now, to put that into context, the average Michigander makes anywhere from $45,000 to a little over $50,000. So, you now need to make twice the annual average salary just to afford a home. I talked to constituents who are canceling their health insurance because of their skyrocketing premiums. And on housing, I was just talking to building trades this week, work has been ground to a halt because of the tariffs that this president has inflicted on all of us.
So, he may have assessed the situation properly in the last election but he has made it so much worse and if there's a golden age for anybody, it's just him and the Epstein class.
BASH: One of the reasons that people are feeling pain with regard to their bank accounts as you well know is energy costs and Michigan --
MCMORROW: Yeah.
BASH: -- where you are running is at the center of a debate over construction of new data centers. There are at least 15 possible centers that could get built in Michigan. I want to get your take on what the president proposed or at least he said that he's doing with A.I. tech companies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Many Americans are also concerned that energy demand from A.I. data centers could unfairly drive up their electric utility bills. Tonight, I'm pleased to announce that I have negotiated the new ratepayer protection pledge. You know what that is. We're telling the major tech companies that they have the obligation to provide for their own power needs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: Do you support that?
MCMORROW: Again, he's great at assessing the problem. Michigan has the opportunity to lead here and we've started some of that work here in the state legislature, saying that no, ratepayers should not subsidize these data centers. But what he's talking about and I want to put a fine point on this is, he is telling the tech companies to bring their own generation to their data centers. That does nothing to bring new generation into the state for the rest of us, for our homes and our businesses. It's just for the tech companies.
At the same time, he has been canceling clean energy projects that would be bringing new generation onto the line. So, we will see energy costs continue to go up if we don't undo a lot of the damage that he's done. Now, I think we should go a step further and as these tech companies have billions of dollars to invest in the build-out of these data centers, we should require that yes, they bring energy generation onto the grid for everybody.
Let's use this influx of cash to ensure that ratepayers are not subsidizing these data centers, that we bring on new energy generation that we require, that the builds be done with good union jobs, with benefits, that we do not harm our air and our water, particularly in a state like Michigan, and let's be the state that does it right and shows the rest of the country how to do it.
BASH: Last night, we did see Team USA from the men's hockey team at the State of the Union. A number of star players have ties to Michigan, including the Hughes brothers and the goalkeeper as well, who the president said he's going to award the Medal of Freedom to. The players have come under some criticism for video in the locker room after the game, where they were laughing at President Trump and President Trump made a joke about the women's hockey team. What was your reaction to that?
MCMORROW: My reaction is I was furious at the president for putting those players in that situation. You're on the phone with the president of the United States. You're going to laugh. You're going to go along with it. It is a moment where you just won the gold medal, reversing decades of the United States not winning the gold at the Olympics, since the miracle against Canadians. And the last four players who were on the ice in overtime, all Michiganders. It is an incredibly proud moment for our state.
[12:40:00]
The president, again, acting like a child and taking advantage of one of the most important moments of these players' lives and our state's opportunity on the world stage. He should know better and he doesn't, and it is yet another example of the president making it about him. But, we're all incredibly proud of every Michigander who went to the Olympics, who competed. We showcased the best of us on the world stage.
BASH: Before I let you go, you are running against two other Democrats in the Senate primary to replace retiring Senator, Gary Peters. There are some pretty significant policy disagreements between you and the other two candidates, the future of ICE, Medicare for all, the U.S. relationship with Israel. How do you define yourself in this race? What are you telling voters why you're better than your fellow Democrats?
MCMORROW: It's a great question. Look, this is a pivotal and dare I say, terrifying moment in our country where we have a president of the United States who is tearing down every institution to the studs. And the case that I'm making to voters here in Michigan is, it is about nominating the right person for this moment. I have gained more than double digits in the polling since I started in this race last year
I'm now leading in the primary by five and our case to be made is, let's make Washington function more like Michigan where we actually deliver for people. I'm the only candidate in the race who beat a Republican incumbent to get into office and the only candidate in the race who helped flip control of the State Senate, where I currently serve, to Democratic control for the first time in 40 years and the only candidate who has delivered on affordable housing, on child care, on creating a universal breakfast and lunch program, sweeping gun violence prevention laws, economic issues, so much more and that is paying off. And if it sounds like something people are excited about, they can learn more at mcmorrowformichigan.com.
BASH: Mallory McMorrow, thank you so much for being here. I appreciate it.
MCMORROW: Thanks, Dana. BASH: Speaking of primaries, up next, a stunning new poll in the main Senate race. Did top Democrats bet on the wrong horse to try to flip that seat? Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:46:42]
BASH: Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer recruited Maine Governor, Janet Mills to run for Senate. His pitch, she is the Democrat's best hope to take the seat that Susan Collins has held for the Republicans since 1997, but check this out. It is a stunning new primary poll out of Maine. Mills is losing big-time to Graham Platner, an oyster farmer no one had heard of just a few months ago. Platner leads with 64 percent, Mills at 26 percent of primary voters.
My smart panel is back.
TAMARA KEITH, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, NPR: Those are some pretty stunning numbers and I imagine, Chuck Schumer's a little concerned right now. I mean, Schumer's strategy and recruiting Democratic candidates is -- has been very much like the tried, tested and true. Obviously, she's the current governor of Maine, so she has been able to win statewide.
This has been a strategy, especially recruiting in states where Democrats are expected to have a little bit more of a hurdle in the past. But it doesn't always work. This didn't work in 2020 when you know Bullock was recruited to try to reclaim that seat in Montana, same with I believe Tennessee when he recruited one of the four -- Bredesen there as well.
There is an energy in the party that Graham Platner is clearly tapping into , whether it's the Bernie Sanders backing or the fact that a lot of -- we were just talking about this off-air, but the fact that a lot of his -- the off-color comments that he had made in the past actually make him more authentic and likable to voters. There's something about him that's gaining -- that's attracting that attention.
BASH: And one of the key reasons Chuck Schumer wanted Janet Mills, sitting governor, to run was electability, right? This poll where we are right now, which is far out, but this poll right now, proves him wrong because if you look at just the matchup between Graham Platner and Susan Collins, if he were to be the nominee, right now, he's beating her.
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: So it's one poll. We always say that, right, add your caveats. It's one poll. At this moment, though, that it comes at this moment, I think makes you think -- I don't know if I believe the margin. She's a sitting governor who's won re-election to state. The margin seems big but where is the energy in the Democratic Party right now? It's with younger, more progressive candidates. We want new. We want different.
Her strength, as you say, it's like she has won statewide in a state that's pretty Trumpy, right? In a state that has -- and Susan Collins has a brand, right, who survived -- think about when Jeanne Shaheen survived the Tea Party thing, right? Susan Collins is trying to do the same thing. I'm one of you. Don't Republican me, don't Trump me. I'm from Maine.
So, you have to beat a candidate who -- we'll see if she still has the juice, but who has a good brand up there. So that's why they thought Governor Mills would be the person to do it, her experience. But I can tell you, I haven't been to Maine in this cycle yet, but everywhere you go, people are new, young, different. She's a sitting governor, so that's -- the things that used to help you, to your point, the experience that used to help you sometimes hurt you now because people want different.
BASH: Speaking of new young and different, let's go to Alaska.
(LAUGH)
BASH: You wrote about Alaska --
(CROSSTALK)
HANS NICHOLS, POLITICAL REPORTER, AXIOS: Heck of a transition.
BASH: Yeah.
(LAUGH)
BASH: You're with me -- you are with me on this, I know.
(LAUGH)
BASH: You and your colleagues at Axios wrote about the Democrats.
NICHOLS: Yeah.
BASH: -- placing a bet on Alaska. Now, you might say, Alaska, that's like so red. Well, the DSCC, they have $1 million outlay to go toward a field program focused on building relationships with youth.
[12:50:00]
That's where I was going with this, and native voters. And if we just look at who we're talking about here, we are talking about Lisa Murkowski, but the Democrat is Mary Peltola who has done well.
NICHOLS: She's won statewide.
BASH: Statewide because there's only one House race.
NICHOLS: Yeah.
BASH: A House seat.
NICHOLS: Yeah, she's up against Dan Sullivan. The way Democrats are optimistic about this race is for a couple of reasons.
BASH: About (ph) Lisa Murkowski (inaudible).
(CROSSTALK)
NICHOLS: One, it's a bit of a fire for them. I mean $1 million sounds a lot, especially this early, and it's for ground game, not the air war stuff that usually floods these campaigns at the end. You can't really spend that much money in Alaska. You're going to hit saturation rates right there, 600,000 voters there. But Democrats can force Republicans to spend more money. They can also kind of occupy some of their headspace here.
And with Peltola, they see someone that's won statewide twice and they can potentially really sort of like find the coalition to get her across the line. So to me, it's interesting because it's just not a traditional, oh, we're going to spend a million dollars on the air, right? They -- the -- Chuck Schumer's groups have been doing that.
They've been letting Peltola know that the water is warm, jump in, right? That's kind of what they did in December and they convinced her to get in the race. Schumer spent a lot of time and effort on it. And now, they're making a real investment on something that could be lasting down the line.
So, I have to think it's a fascinating race -- road show.
(LAUGH)
KEITH: Take it to the last guy. You know, I think that there are several of these races that are reaches for Democrats. I mean, even just trying to win the Senate for Democrats is a reach. But, every time they get a candidate like Peltola, they see an opportunity like a Sherrod Brown in Ohio. That's a red state. It's been a red state for a while now, but they see an opportunity with someone who has won statewide before and someone who, if speaking of authenticity, has really honed that over the years.
BASH: All right, everybody stand by. Up next, the House Republican majority is already hanging on by a thread. Now, a scandal-plagued House Republican lawmaker is fighting calls to quit.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[12:56:45]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. TONY GONZALES, (R-TX): I'm not going to resign. I work every day for the people of Texas.
MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Did you carry --
GONZALES: And there will be an opportunity for all the details and facts to come out. What you've seen is not all the facts.
(END VIDEO CLIP) BASH: That was Republican Congressman, Tony Gonzales refusing to quit after new allegations of an affair with the staffer who died by suicide. She lit herself on fire. Many House Republicans are calling on him to end his re-election bid, few want him to resign. Why not? Well, Republican Congressman, Troy Nehls explained it very clearly.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. TROY NEHLS, (R-TX): He's not been indicted for anything. Does it look good? No, I don't like the appearance of it He's got a problem here. Don't get me wrong, the optics are horrible, but I would in no way ever resign right now. If he does that --
RAJU: Because there is (inaudible) accusations aren't (inaudible).
NEHLS: And accusations aren't enough. If he does that, then you got to give the gavel to Hakeem Jeffries. I'm sure the Democrats would love that. I would love that but no, I wouldn't do that for any reason.
RAJU: But aren't some things bigger than politics?
NEHLS: What the heck? No.
RAJU: No?
NEHLS: No, not up here. Not the way we -- what we do in the House.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: My panel is back. John?
KING: I guess, we applaud transparency, power over principle. Look, the Republicans are hoping the Texas voters take care of this problem for them next week and they beat him in the primary And that's not leadership, especially from a speaker who himself is an evangelical Christian, who has not even said, you know step aside or be more transparent --
BASH: He has said let the process play out.
KING: Yes, let the process play out. There's a primary on Tuesday and Republicans are just kind of praying that he loses.
BASH: And just on that note, Gonzales is running against the same primary challenger who Gonzales beat last election cycle in 2024. It was very, very close. You can put this up on the screen. It's Brandon Herrera who Tony Gonzales beat. It was 354 votes. There you see it, 354 votes. It's the same guy he is running against this time.
SEUNG MIN KIM, WHITE HOUSE REPORTER, ASSOCIATED PRESS: Right. Right. What I found really interesting about the Gonzales dynamic in terms of what his colleagues are saying is that, it is Republican women who are being really vocal about the need for him to step down from office. And they're the ones who are kind of standing on principle here. You've heard this from Anna Paulina Luna and Nancy Mace, and they were -- it was also Republican women who led the charge on the release of the Epstein Files before the rest of the party came along.
But for them, you know, unfortunately, for these Republican women who are calling for these things, it is the men who are in charge of the House leadership right now. And right now, Speaker Johnson is going through those precise calculations that John just mentioned.
BASH: It's a really interesting dynamic and we have up on the screen. There are two men who are calling for him to quit, one is Thomas Massie who is Dr. Know on anything and everything Donald Trump right now, that's kind of his MO. Tim Burchett who tends to go with the women on issues like this, and then three Republican women.
KEITH: Yeah, you know, the calculation these days in politics is that shamelessness continues to be a superpower. If member -- you know, members of your own party are calling for you to step aside, doesn't matter.
END
