Tyler Farnsworth

Tyler Farnsworth attended The Ohio State University. Farnsworth's career experience includes working as a nurse practitioner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Tyler Farnsworth, and I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Utah’s 2nd Congressional District. I have dedicated my entire adult life to public service, beginning my career as a registered nurse at the age of 20 and continuing through advanced training in psychiatric and pediatric behavioral health.

In my work, I care for individuals and families navigating mental health challenges, addiction, and the gaps in our healthcare system. That experience has given me a firsthand understanding of how policy decisions impact real people, and it drives my commitment to improving access to care and strengthening support for working families.

I am not a career politician. I am a healthcare provider who has spent years advocating for patients, and I am running for Congress to bring that same sense of responsibility, independence, and service to Washington. My campaign is rooted in the belief that government should work for everyday people and that elected officials should have the courage to put their constituents above party politics.

I am running to provide a different kind of leadership—one grounded in real-world experience, accountability, and a commitment to serving the people of Utah.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I’m not a career politician, and I’m not backed by political insiders. I’m a psychiatric nurse practitioner who has spent my life serving real people, not building a political career.I will not blindly follow any party or political leader. My responsibility is to the Constitution and the people I represent, and I will speak up when leadership—of any party—is wrong.This campaign is focused on expanding healthcare access, addressing housing affordability, protecting personal freedoms, and standing up for working families. I’m running to challenge a system that too often puts politics ahead of people.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about healthcare, mental health, and policies that support working families. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I see every day how gaps in access to care affect individuals and families, and I am committed to expanding affordable, accessible healthcare.

I am also deeply committed to protecting personal freedoms, including reproductive rights, and ensuring that individuals have the autonomy to make decisions about their own lives.

In addition, I strongly support workers’ rights, including the ability to organize, earn fair wages, and work in safe conditions. I believe our policies should prioritize the well-being of everyday people and create opportunities for for families and communities to thrive.

Campaign websiteFarnsworth's campaign website stated the following:IssuesHealthcare ReformHealth care costs in Utah are rising—up to 20%—with the average Utahn spending $5,000 a year out-of-pocket, beyond insurance premiums. Jennifer Strohecker, Utah’s Medicaid Director, put it plainly: “Investment in preventive health care dramatically improves health outcomes and reduces costs. Every dollar spent on prevention saves $5.60 down the line.” Even with insurance, Utahns are struggling to afford healthcare due to the state of our healthcare system putting profits over patients.That’s why, in Washington, I will always put YOU FIRST to secure a healthier future by voting to pass two key pieces of legislation—Medicare for All and the Patients Before Monopolies Act—while continuing to work on other ways to lower your healthcare costs, listed below: Expand access to preventative care, especially in rural communities, so quality care doesn’t depend on your ZIP code.Extend the existing $10,000 tax credit for psychiatric providers in underserved areas to include primary care physicians, pediatric providers, and dentists serving in outpatient settings—supporting frontline clinicians where they’re needed most.Hold hospitals and healthcare systems accountable by requiring them to provide easily accessible, local, and timely care in order to maintain tax-exempt status.Protect Medicaid from being buried in massive budget bills and used as a political bargaining chip.Increase transparency and accountability by requiring CMS to submit quarterly reports to Congress on enrollment, service utilization, and coverage effectiveness.Strengthen Medicaid to remain a sustainable lifeline focused on the people it was designed to serve.End monopolization in healthcare and prescription drugs by restoring competition, affordability, and putting patients—not profits—first.Education ReformWe must be bold, strategic, and intentional in strengthening education—especially when it comes to supporting students' emotional well-being. Utah ranks dead last in per-pupil spending at $9,552, far below the national average of $15,633. That’s not fiscal responsibility—it’s a failure to invest in our children. The School Social Work Association of America recommends a student-to-school social worker ratio of 250:1, yet Utah’s stands at nearly 1200+:1. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner with fellowship training in child & adolescent psychiatry, I’ve seen firsthand the toll this takes on students, parents, and teachers. Students also can't learn when they are hungry. Food fuels our brain and it is a human right to have access to high-quality food. Education reform doesn’t stop at K–12—we must take action to rein in the rising cost of college for America’s future doctors, nurses, dentists, engineers, and other professionals. In Washington, I will take swift action to reform our horrendous education system by: Increase and strengthen public education funding to improve teacher-to-student and social worker-to-student ratios, reducing absenteeism, tardiness, and childcare burdens on families while keeping students supported and in school.Ensure children aren't hungry by passing federal legislation to ensure ALL children have free meals at ALL public schools.Support the Department of Education while empowering states to shape education systems that reflect the unique needs of their communities.Modernize K–12 education to reflect diverse learning styles and career paths, recognizing that not every student will pursue college.Prepare students for real life by emphasizing practical skills such as public speaking, financial literacy, taxes, student loans, and the importance of robust understanding of social studies.Ensure teachers thrive by working closely with educator unions to ensure pay, time-off, protections, and morale are appropriate.Hold public universities accountable for the skyrocketing cost of higher education and demand transparency and responsible use of public funds. Hold student loan servicers accountable for predatory practices and abusive repayment policies that harm borrowers. Cap federal undergraduate student loan interest rates at 3% and graduate student loan interest rates at 1%.Cost of LivingUtah is facing a housing crisis that’s driving up the cost of living and pushing families to the brink. Home prices have far outpaced income, leaving many unable to afford a home. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey, over 300,000 Utah households are cost-burdened—spending more than 30% of their income on housing.A severe lack of housing supply has fueled skyrocketing prices, and it's threatening our workforce. The jobs Utah needs most—construction, skilled trades, nursing, automotive, and food service—can’t be filled if workers can’t afford to live here. If we don’t act, we risk losing the very people who keep our communities running. In Washington, I will take swift action to bring back the American Dream of owning home for all Americans by:Deliver on the promise of homeownership for Utahns, supporting first-time buyers in critical roles like teachers, nurses, tradespeople, and service workers by reducing interest rates, down payments, closing costs, and overall mortgage burdens. Pass federal legislation to ban algorithmic pricing by rental companies that causes unfair daily rent increases.Cap rent hikes at 5% for lease renewals and implement safeguards against price gouging and unjust lease denials.Require rental companies to post transparent pricing, including all fees, so renters know exactly what they’re paying.Fight to make housing affordable, fair, and attainable for all Utahns by offering states tax incentives to change zoning laws for responsible high-density housingVeteran CareRight now, the VA in Salt Lake City has halted inpatient mental health care and reduced critical services due to sudden, reckless cuts to federally approved budgets. These cuts come at a time when support for our veterans is more urgent than ever. In 2021, veterans accounted for 13.2% of suicide deaths among adults in Utah, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. We cannot turn our backs on those who risked everything for us. They fought for our lives—we must fight for theirs.In Washington, I will prioritize those that prioritized this great country by: Hold VA healthcare accountable at the federal level by reporting the impact of program cuts, showing they do not harm veteran care.Require detailed breakdowns of cuts: patient-facing positions vs. leadership or administrative roles.Protect frontline care from funding adjustments, ensuring resources aren’t diverted from essential services.Redirect resources to critical areas, including:Transportation to and from appointmentsIncreased case managers to help veterans access servicesAdequate staffing of nurses, physicians, and support personnelEnsure veterans receive high-quality, evidence-based care, not bureaucratic sacrifices. Protecting Utah's YouthOur youth are in crisis. I see it every day—in my friends’ children, and in the kids I care for as a mental health provider. Anxiety is now one of the most common and debilitating mental health disorders among children, robbing them of the chance to grow, connect, and thrive.One major contributor: unchecked cell phone and social media use. In Utah and across the country, we’re seeing how constant phone access in K–12 classrooms disrupts learning, damages social development, and exposes kids to bullying, exploitation, and harmful content. The more time they spend online, the less equipped they are to regulate emotions, build healthy relationships, or feel safe in their own skin.In Washington, I won't be afraid to stand up for America's Children and challenge the status quo by: Ban cell phone use in K–12 schools, allowing exceptions through collaboration between teachers, parents, and school officials.Restrict social media access to individuals aged 16 and older, including platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.Require government-issued ID verification for age compliance on social media.Focus on child safety, not control or censorship, ensuring Washington protects Utah’s next generation.Protecting Public LandsUtah is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the nation—from the Wasatch Mountains to the red rock arches of the south. Our national parks, wild open spaces, and world-class skiing aren’t just scenery—they define our way of life. These lands connect us to nature, bring us peace, and create joy for generations.I will not stand by while that joy is threatened by late-night deals and backroom bills to sell off our public lands. Utah’s lands belong to the people—not to special interests.In Washington, I will fight tooth and nail for this cherished land by: Restore funding for vital resources that protect public lands.Increase staffing for wildland firefighters, National Park Service rangers, and public land service workers.Strengthen and expand conservation funds to safeguard the Great Salt Lake, and Utah’s lands for hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, and camping.Be a modern-day Teddy Roosevelt, fiercely protecting the beautiful lands that define our American culture.The Working ClassIn early 2025, the Utah Legislature passed HB 267—signed into law by Governor Spencer Cox—which striped collective bargaining rights from public sector unions, including those representing teachers, firefighters, and other essential workers. This effectively silenced workers’ voices in negotiating fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions. Collective bargaining is a cornerstone of worker rights, providing better pay, stronger benefits, safer workplaces, and greater job security. After significant public push-back, the legislature repealed the law. This should have never happened to be being withWe’ve abandoned our farmers and ranchers, leaving them to face skyrocketing costs and devastating losses. Between 2017 and 2022, over 153,000 farms were lost due to rising operational expenses.In Washington, I won't shy away from putting the working-class first by:  Protect workers’ rights by supporting the NLRA and NLRB, and opposing any bills that undermine unionizing.Ensure Utahns’ voices are heard to improve workplace safety, benefits, and pay.Support Utah farmers and children by restoring the Local Food for Schools (LFS) Cooperative Agreement Program.Invest in local agriculture to strengthen the economy and provide students with fresh, healthy, home-grown food.Keep resources in our communities while supporting farmers and nourishing kids.Restructure the H-1B visa program to ensure employers cannot exploit immigrant workers by paying them less or using lower wages to distort labor statistics and drive down wages for everyone.Ending Partisan Politics & Standing Against Corporate InterestsPartisan disagreements are inherent in a democracy, but we need resolutions that reflect what Congress was designed to do: bring both parties together on matters that uphold and protect We The People. It's time to restore that purpose in Washington.I refuse to participate in the toxic “one side must always win” mentality that dominates our federal government. That mindset doesn’t serve the people—it paralyzes progress. When policies are constantly roadblocked by partisan gridlock, no one wins. I will work across the aisle to get things done and put YOU before politics. Putting YOU over party, partisanship, and corporate interests means no more blank checks to other countries, including Israel, and no more tax breaks for the ultra wealthy.I will deliver on what the people want and deserve—clear, straightforward legislation by:Bills must be single-issue, with any amendments introduced as separate legislation—not buried in massive, unreadable mega-bills.Page limits must be established and enforced, ensuring legislation is concise and focused.All bills must follow a standardized language protocol, so every American can read and understand them—without needing a law degree.Every bill must be publicly available for at least 72 hours before any vote, giving the public time to review and respond.Ensuring the American taxpayer dollar is used for YOU, not in legislation benefiting countries like Israel & Argentina Ensuring no more money to Israel, not just military aid but all aid. Israel's genocide in Gaza has been funded by our corrupt politicians. Israel has free public education, free healthcare, and yet we send them billions to murder Palestinians. Tax the ultra wealthy, by rewriting the tax code and supporting the 5% Wealth TaxFreedom & Equal RightsMy entire life, I have been told that America is the place where everyone has freedom. Yet over the last several years, we have all watched freedoms for marginalized communities slowly be stripped away.Representing a district and a state in Congress means representing everyone—not just those with the most power, wealth, or political influence. I can no longer stand by while members of my community, your community, the patients I care for, and the families I meet live in fear of losing their rights or being told their voices do not matter.In Congress, I will stand up for those who feel unheard and defend the fundamental freedoms that belong to every American. No one should fear discrimination because of who they are, who they love, where they come from, or how they identify.Our country is strongest when every person has the freedom to live with dignity, safety, and opportunity. I will fight to ensure those freedoms are protected for everyone by:Elevating the voices of women and working with Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie to hold everyone mentioned in those files accountable through full and impartial investigations.Restoring a woman’s choice over her own body.Restoring life-saving gender-affirming care.Protecting marriage equality.Protecting our immigrant neighbors by getting ICE out of our streets.— Tyler Farnsworth's campaign website (April 9, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.