Voter Guide 2020 by Billings Gazette

VOTER GUIDE A LOOK AT MONTANA LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES

See inside for candidatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; thoughts on healthcare, the economy and more.

Several state legislative races will be decided in the primary

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TOM LUTEY tlutey@billingsgazette.com‌

n Montana, particularly the eastern part of the state, voters who skip the primary election often miss out on deciding who their state lawmakers will be. There are nine primary races in southcentral and Eastern Montana that will seat legislators because there isn’t an opponent waiting in the November general election. Most of those races are in Republican areas where Democrats rarely run for office. Communities like Sidney, Malta, Culbertson and Glendive will select their legislators during the month of mail-in voting, which starts the first week of May and ends June 2. Likewise, there are a few races in the Billings area that will be decided this spring. However, there are solidly Democratic districts in the rural parts of the state. The Northern Cheyenne Reservation and the Fort Peck Reservation will select their lawmakers in the spring. Because of the pandemic, every active Montana voter will receive a ballot in the mail. The ballots will be sent out May 8. It’s because these races are decided in the spring that The Gazette Primary Election Guide offers each candidate in a contested primary the opportunity to The Montana State Capitol answer five questions about Montana political issues. Each candidate is given 100 words per answer, plus an opportunity to provide some biographical information to voters. Because of Gov. Steve Bullock’s stay-at-home order, this guide may be one of the few chances a voter has to learn something about the candidates. The Gazette gave each candidate in a contested legislative primary race the opportunity to submit information for the guide. If you know of a candidate involved in a contested legislative primary that isn’t in the guide, it’s because the candidate did not respond to calls and emails made by The Gazette in March and April.

The 5 questions‌ Here are the question The Gazette asked PAT BELLINGHAUSEN/Gazette Staff‌ each candidate. Their answers are included “The ground we call Montana bears the marks of generations of women’s labor of tipi rings and with their profile. homestead gardens. We know our culture through stories spoken by mothers to children on reservations and in immigrant communities.” So reads the message on this new Montana Capitol In rural Montana, government plays mural, one of two panels honoring women’s contributions to our state. The murals were authorized a big role in health care. Medicaid and by the Legislature, privately funded and created by Missoula artist Hadley Ferguson. Medicare spending accounts for 60% Montana’s economy is chang- rapidly growing areas are increasing and of revenue at rural hospitals. The Trump ing with tourism and recreation Montanans on fixed incomes are strugAdministration says it will offer optional business increasing and store- gling to keep up. What would you do to Medicaid block grants to states. Would you support a switch to Medicaid block grants? front retail losing income to online change Montana’s tax structure? If you Please explain the reasoning behind your sales. Revenue from coal mining is de- prefer to leave it as is, please explain clining. Residential property taxes in your reasoning. position.

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May 2020 | VOTER’S GUIDE

Thom Bridge, thom.bridge@helenair.com‌

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock imposed a 120-day ban on flavored e-cigarette products after vapingrelated illnesses reached 2,500 nationwide and 54 people in 27 states, including Montana, died. During the ban, Montana vape shops have been selling a do-it-yourself vaping flavor to kids to get around the ban. Flavor bans and excise taxes have been suggested, but what should the Legislature do to address health issues related to vaping? If you support current law concerning vaping products, please explain why. Before the general election, Montana should have a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the state’s law barring direct and indirect aid to religious institutions, including religious schools. The case involves a private schools tax credit created by the Legislature in 2015. Because religious schools qualified for the credit, the Montana Supreme Court struck down the entire credit program. Was the Montana Legislature right to include religious schools in the tax credit? If the Supreme Court rejects the tax credit, should the Legislature make another attempt to compensate parents who choose to send their children private schools? We would like you to explain one concern your constituents have that you will attempt to address as a legislator.

HOUSE DISTRICT 33

‌Joyce Stone—R Age and place of birth: 49, Des Moines Iowa Home: Glasgow Occupation: I’m a Registered Nurse working in our local rural hospital in our inpatient nursing department that covers

the ER, OB, and inpatient care. Family: Married to Ryan Stone, four children Education: Bachelor’s of science in nursing from MSU, Certified Emergency Room Nurse, Certified Wound Care Nurse Past employment: My first job was at McDonalds at age 16. I’ve worked in retail at Home Depot and I worked for a Chamber of Commerce. I’ve was a staff nurse at Billings Clinic before moving to Glasgow and becoming the Nursing Supervisor at the Glasgow Clinic. Military: None Political experience: This is my first time running for a political office. Endorsements: Montana Hospital Association, Montana Federation of Public Employees Ways voters can contact you: Email: StoneHD33@gmail.com Address: 906 7th Ave N, Glasgow Mt, 59230 Phone number: 406-860-6907 Web page: StoneHD33.com Medicaid block grants are tricky. On the one hand they’re attractive because they would give the state more control over how it spends healthcare money coming from the federal government. On

the other hand, what happens if the federal government changes how much they allocate each year in their grants? How would Montana state legislators create a balanced 2-year budget if they can’t be guaranteed the year-to-year continuity of the federal government funding? Block grants could be more attractive if there were some built in assurances as to stability of the funding dollars. Our property taxes stay local and pay for our schools along with financing our cities and our counties. A state legislation can’t tell a local community how to spend their money. The needs of Havre are different than Malta. We also need to be mindful of a nonprofit organization like the APR operating in our communities and not paying the same income tax as their neighboring farmers and ranchers. Permanent conservation easements will have long-term implications to local property taxes and incomes. Good stewardship of our natural resources as a tax revenue will lead to long-term benefits for everyone. The people of Montana have already voted against an excise tax on tobacco, I185. I stand with the voters of the State of Montana. It’s difficult to legislate against a single health issue let alone

a group of health issues. Where does it stop? I stand for individual freedom of choices. Even if it’s a choice I wouldn’t make. The truth is that the $150 tax credit was available to supporters of any form of education, public or private. I am a supporter of Public Education and would rather have given $150,000 directly to our Glasgow schools instead of sending it to Helena. I expect the other 90% of parents with children in public schools would agree. Bottom line is that we need to focus on enhanced quality education for every child. We need to increase the opportunities for our kids to be exposed to different skilled trades in school to help fill the knowledge gap in the future. The number one priority of every legislator will be getting our economy back on its feet. The next session is going to be hard. And let’s face it, there are going to be hard budgeting choices to make. We need to support our farmers and ranchers at this time as well. Currently the cost of meat is rising in the grocery but ranchers are seeing lower beef prices. My focus will be on representing the people of Northeast Montana and supporting the Montana way of life.

Shane Morigeau for Montana State auditor: 2-Term Legislator & Experienced Attorney • Experienced, proven, and connected • Fighting for fair and affordable health insurance rates • Promoting business growth and protecting Montanans from fraud • Keeping public lands in public hands on the Land Board

Endorsed by: • Montana Federation of Public Employees • Montana Conservation Voters • Former State Auditor Monica Lindeen • Former Superintendent Denise Juneau • Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council

www.shaneformontana.com Paid for by Montanans for Morigeau, Eli Patten,Treasurer, PO Box 1733, Missoula, MT 59806 – Democrat

VOTER’S GUIDE | May 2020

HOUSE DISTRICT 33 Home: Malta Occupation: Cattle rancher, real estate sales Family: Jim Knudsen (father), Janice Knudsen (mother), Bobbi Knudsen (sister), Lee and Shirley Knudsen (grandparents) Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a minor is aerospace engineering from Montana State University Past employment: Ranching, real estate sales Military: N/A Political experience: Served two terms in the Montana House of Representatives, running for my third Ways voters can contact you: Email: caseyjknudsen@gmail.com Address: PO Box 18, Malta, Montana, 59538 Phone number: 406-390-0274 Web page: Facebook—Casey Knudsen

Block grants allow our state to determine the best place to spend Medicaid or Medicare money, instead of relying on the federal government to tell us exactly how it should be spent. I believe Montana knows how and where we need to spend money in our state better than the federal government does. We don’t necessarily need to change our tax structure as a whole, we need to encourage natural resource development and promote a business environment in Montana that encourages businesses to move here and expand, reducing the individual tax burden and increasing revenue to the state using the same tax structure. We need to fiercely defend our natural resources in Montana, such as coal, oil, and lumber. Responsible use and harvesting of our natural resources increases state revenues, creates well paying jobs, and dilutes the tax burden. Instead of increasing taxes, we need to develop ones we already have in place. ‌Casey Knudsen—R While the federal government curThe premise to this question is that Age and place of birth: 29, Havre, rently plays a big role in healthcare, I the flavored vaping products sold Montana do not believe that it should continue to. by legitimate manufacturers were to

blame for these unfortunate illnesses and deaths, while now we know that was not the case, as it was caused by so-called “black market” vaping products. Adults should be able to choose which nicotine products they do or do not consume, and the only thing that should happen is to continue to enforce the age limitations we already have on nicotine products to crack down on sales to underage persons. Yes, the legislature was correct. As long as all private schools are considered equally, including schools of all religions, there is no state support for any one specific religion. The fact that an institution is religious in and of itself should not exclude it from receiving things like these credits or state grants, as long as the state does not discriminate between religions. My main concerns as a legislature is to work to maintain and expand our personal liberties, keep government from encroaching on our lives any more than it has already, and make sure that public funds are expended fairly across the state.

‌HOUSE DISTRICT 34

Rhonda Knudsen—R Age and place of birth: 61, Culbertson, Montana Home: Culbertson Occupation: Retired civil engineer Family: Married, 2 children, 5

May 2020 | VOTER’S GUIDE

grandchildren Education: Bachelor’s degree in science, MSU Past employment: Federal employee. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and US-DOI Bureau of Indian Affairs Military: None Political experience: Currently serving my first term as Representative for HD 34. Endorsement: Received an A rating from Legistats, and a 100% score from Montanans for Limited Government. Ways voters can contact you: Email: RhondaKnudsenforMontana@hotmail. com Address: PO box 734, Culbertson, Montana 59218 Phone number: (406) 489-5253 Web page: Facebook Currently Montana receives Medicaid funding based on participants and services provided with limited internal controls. The program appears to be an open-ended checkbook with the potential for fraudulent claims and ineligible participants. A recent audit suggests

that the ineligible or fraudulent claims may exceed 20%! This is unacceptable. Medicaid funding by block grants mean a definitive annual budget and result in a better controlled system. It would mean more local control. I would definitely support block grants to the State for Medicaid. My idea of tax reform is lowering either the property tax rates or income tax rates for all Montanans. I will not support a new tax—especially an internet sales tax. Montana does not need more tax revenue, we need to reduce spending and rein in runaway budgets. I do not support the Governor’s ban on flavored vape products and I would not support an excise tax on the products. Current law prohibits the possession/use of vape products by persons under the age of 18. Current law also prohibits the sale/ distribution of vapor products to persons under the age of 18. Finally, the use of vapor products is prohibited in or on public school property. I support these 3 laws as they are intended to keep vape products from our children hands. The current COVID19 shakeup that resulted in the Governor’s school

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closures has necessitated alternatives to our traditional brick and mortar public school model. We are now seeing the implementation of technology and distance learning. Homeschooling has been successfully legitimized and facilitated by the public schools. Home schools, private schools and public schools are all viable education choices and should be compensated accordingly. I will support all efforts that make all of these education choices affordable for Montana students. Right now, the biggest concern my constituents have is the Covid19 health scare and the Governor’s statewide shutdown. Eastern Montana is a mostly “rural” community, or as a judge once told me, one small town with a really long main street! We have maintained social distance forever! We know how to be good citizens and look out for each other. We know to self-quarantine when ill, we realize we must take of our elderly and infirm, and we know we can continue our children’s education remotely. We acknowledge that the health, safety and well-being of our citizens is paramount.

HOUSE DISTRICT 34 Surgical Assistant, Certified Ophthalmic Technician: Bloomington, IL 2000-2016; Bridal Boutique manager: Peoria, IL 19972000; Certified personal fitness trainer, Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Certified Nutrition Coach: Peoria, IL 1994-2002 Political experience: State director for Convention of States Project; finance chair for Valley County Republican Central Committee Ways voters can contact you: Email: montana.matters@yahoo.com Address: 112 1st Ave Glentana, Montana, 59240 Phone number: (406) 230-2710 Web page: facebook.com/ SchusterForMontanaHD34 Medicare and Medicaid are federal programs which, to our detriment, expanded government power and created costly bureaucracy. Still, past generations have accepted them as a perpetual part of our healthcare system. Bur, given the national debt, we need to ascertain whether we are committed to liberty, and the betterment of Montana or will we continue being subservient to dangerous incremental pushes toward socialism. Utilizing block grants will require admirable forethought; promoting self-responsibility, economic growth and our nation’s first principles. Our pursuit should be to raise the standard of living so all able-bodied Montanans can afford their own healthcare.

1. ‌Tracy Schuster—R Age and place of birth: 58, Indianapolis, Indiana Home: Glentana, Montana Occupation: Farmer Family: Married to Steve Schuster, 4 children and 10 grandchildren Education: Certified Ophthalmic Technician, Illinois Central College GPA: 4.0 Past employment: Multispecialty, Multiple-Location Ophthalmology Practice Manager; Physician Secretary;

I’d propose replacing the progressive tax with a low flat tax that would eliminate the preferential treatment existing today~ everyone should have skin in the game. Declining revenue from coal mining and increasing property taxes are a result of capitulating to espousers of socialism which is hostile to our nation’s core principles, whereas expanding economic opportunities, would bring much needed prosperity to alleviate financial demands on Montanans struggling with increased property taxes. I’d propose a Montana Homestead Tax Exemption for Veterans, exempting property taxes for any veteran-owned primary residence. Veterans enhance communities with their leadership skills, discipline and values. Actually, I didn’t support the Federal Tobacco 21 Law. I believe it’s absurd that an 18-year-old is considered an adult, can vote, join the military, get married, pay taxes; yet cannot purchase tobacco products which the FDA had approved. If the legislature is to legislate morality, then let’s begin banning obscenity-laced music, sexually explicit movies, violent video games, pornography, alcohol ads, abortions, the super bowl half-time show, etc. Parents and community members can and should set healthy examples for our children. If we are failing to instill values during 13+ years of schooling, then we need to reassess our priorities. I believe the legislature acted within their authority in allowing income

tax credits for donations made by private citizens to public schools and student scholarship organizations. However, the US Supreme Court will now decide if Montana’s Department of Revenue and Supreme Court misinterpreted or misapplied specific and questionably discriminatory provisions in Montana’s Constitution, because the tax credits were given to private citizens who made donations to public schools and ‘student scholarship organizations’, not to religious schools. All recipients of the scholarships maintain equal protection under the 14th amendment of the US Constitution which requires states to practice equal protection. Agricultural technology has greatly advanced, requiring fewer workers in Northeastern Montana. We now face persistent population and rural economic decline. Lack of job diversity causes prime working-aged citizens to move out of state to seek work; this negatively impacts state revenue and local support services linked to agricultural communities. A viable economic plan is needed: NE Montana produces lentils, flax and wheat which could be processed and packaged right here. Montana is losing revenue from enormous input costs farmers make. We should be luring AgChem/Fertilizer companies to make their products here with NE Montana workers.

district I would make after thorough consultation with local healthcare leaders. My position on a possible switch to block grants would be reflective of the input I received in my district about what would be in the best interests of the people of my rural district. Montanans need property tax relief, including in my own district and I am interested in pursuing real solutions to reduce that burden. I am open to listening and carefully evaluating all tax reform ideas that are put forward. I would be cautious about new proposals that propose to offer property tax relief but end up in the general fund in the often used “bait and switch” tactic. An example of this is what happened to the lottery money that was initially supposed to support education only. I support the work of President Trump to raise the age from 18 to 21 to vape and Governor Bullock’s work on the issue to stop kids from getting hooked on vaping, as vaping presents a serious challenge to public health. Policies that strengthen and enhance the health and safety of our communities inform my views on the issue of vaping. During the 2019 legislature I supported legislation to prohibit vaping

in schools and restricting flavored vaping products from kids. I would continue to work to close loop-holes that threaten the health of Montana’s youth at the next legislature. I believe that first and foremost the Montana legislature needs to stay focused on how we provide access for a quality education for all Montana kids. Rural schools, like those in my district, are already facing budgetary challenges, so I would oppose any legislation that would divert needed funding away from rural public schools in my district. My first focus at the 2021 legislature will be on ensuring the Montana legislature is doing everything it can to help business owners, in my district and across Montana get back on their feet after the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild our economy. Second, I will continue to address the needs business owners have brought to me of the limited access to a skilled workforce in rural Montana. I will work with all interested stakeholders to help give rural Montana communities the tools they need to attract and retain the skilled workforce to be sustainable.

HOUSE DISTRICT 35 Past employment: (No response) Military: (No response) Political experience: Current Representative for House District 35, previous chairman of Richland County Republican Central Committee. Endorsements: Recognized as a “Champion of Business” by Montana Chamber of Commerce and as the “Rookie of the Year” by the Montana Farm Bureau for work during the 2019 legislature. Endorsed by the Montana Stockgrowers, Montana Credit Union League, Montana Hospital Association, Montana Dental Association PAC OneOk Employees PAC, Montana Coal Council and Montana Highway Patrol Troopers PAC. Ways voters can contact you: Email: joelforhd35@gmail.com Address: P.O. Box 1142, Sidney, MT ‌Joel G. Krautter—R 59270 Age and place of birth: 32 Phone number: 406-560-5952 Home: Sidney Web page: Occupation: Attorney www.joelforrichlandco.com I am committed to fighting to keep our Family: Golden retriever dog, Chester rural hospitals open, which I fought for Education: University of Montana School of Law, J.D., Liberty University, B.S. during the 2019 legislative session. Any decisions that could impact healthcare in my in government.

VOTER’S GUIDE | May 2020

HOUSE DISTRICT 35 ‌Brandon Ler—R Age and place of birth: 34 Home: Savage Occupation: Self-employed- I have owned Double L Fencing for 10 years. Family: Wife, Stephanie, children Evelyn (7) and Arntson (5) Education: (No response) Past employment: I have worked in agriculture my whole life, and I owned my own contract pumping company in the oilfield. Military: N/A Political experience: Secretary/ treasurer of the Richland County Republic Central Committee, 6 years; Savage School board trustee, 5 years Ways voters can contact you: Email: lerforrichland@gmail.com Address: 11313 County Road 338, Savage

“Montana is where I live, I farm, and where I raise my family. With your support, I’d like to go to Washington D.C. and fight for Montana values.” Joe will continue working to expand access & reduce health care costs. We must provide more affordable option & better care while protecting those with pre-existing conditions. As a 3rd-generation farmer and rancher, Joe will fight every day for the family farmers and ranchers who are the backbone of Montana’s economy. Joe is unequivocally pro-life and he supports policies that contribute to the successes of our local families.

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MT 59262 Phone number: 406-480-5687 Web page: www.facebook.com/lerforhd35 Medicaid block grants put more control of Medicaid spending in the hands of state governments instead of the Federal government. The block grants will offer health benefits to our vulnerable populations and assure payment to our local, rural hospitals, while controlling government spending. Less spending and more local control is ideal. The problem isn’t in the actual tax structure-the problem with our tax system is the amount of taxes that are taken from our hard-working Montanans through property tax and income tax. The government needs to control its spending. Our pockets are not an endless pot for our government to pick out of.

Mars scott for Montana supreMe court Equal JusticE for Montana

With nearly 40 years of experience as a Montana lawyer, Mars has the legal expertise to be a fair and effective adjudicator. As the only constitutional court in Montana, the decisions made by the Supreme Court affect everyone in the state. Montana needs justices who will listen to all sides of the case and apply the law in an impartial and thoughtful manner. • Experience in representing plaintiffs, insurance companies, workers’ compensations claimants & defendants, real estate buyers & sellers, corporations, lending institutions, and criminal defendants. • On two Supreme Court Commissions – the Commission on Technology and the Standing Master Study Commission. • Chairperson for the Family Law Section for over 15 years

COVID-19 has impacted everyone across the state of Montana and Joe will work tirelessly to ensure that we get Montana’s economy going while keeping safety as a continuing priority for all Montanans.

• Member of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (Family Law), Montana Trial Lawyers, and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

Find our more by visiting my website, joedooling.com or visiting me on Facebook.

• Designated as one of American’s top 100 attorneys in the state of Montana.

Stand with Joe by Voting Joe Dooling for Congress!

• Third generation Montanan

Vote for Mars today for Montana supreMe Court Paid for by Mars Scott for Supreme Court, PO Box 2278, Missoula, MT 59806

Paid for by Friends of Joe Dooling, 3855 Cedar Valley Rd, Helena MT 59602 – Republican

Laws regarding vaping use and sales should be aligned with the current laws on regular tobacco products. The funds for these tax-credit scholarships are diverted before the funds ever become public funds. This should be handled no differently than any other taxexempt donation. The Montana Legislature was right to include religious schools in the tax credit program. If the tax credit is struck down by the Supreme Court, the Legislature should make a second attempt. The folks I’ve talked to in Richland County believe that property taxes are too high. To fix this problem, we need to curtail government spending. Property owners in Montana do not have bottomless pockets. Our government needs to act like our tax funds are in their own checking accounts, and recognize that the money will run out.

May 2020 | VOTER’S GUIDE

HOUSE DISTRICT 36

‌Jason Stuart—R Age and place of birth: 42, Bastrop, Louisiana Home: Glendive Occupation: Executive director of Dawson County Economic Development Council; adjunct professor of history at Dawson Community College Family: Single Education: Master’s degree in history,

George Mason University; bachelor’s degree in history with journalism minor, University of Louisiana-Monroe Past employment: Senior reporter, Glendive Ranger-Review Military: No Political experience: U.S. Congress, Washington, D.C.: Legislative aide/ legislative correspondent/director of constituent communications for U.S. Senator David Vitter, R-Louisiana (Jan. 2008 – Dec. 2010); paid intern for Congressman Rodney Alexander, R-Louisiana (Aug. 2007 – Dec. 2007) Endorsements: None Ways voters can contact you: Email: jmstu77@hotmail.com Address: 521 Snyder Ave., Glendive, MT 59330 Phone number: 406-852-4765 Web page: www.facebook.com/ Stuart-for-Montana-House-District-36 I will study this issue more closely before forming a firm opinion. That being said, rather than continuing to fight over Medicaid expansion, I am more interested in looking for solutions to reduce runaway healthcare costs. In my opinion, healthcare costs are bleeding the middle class dry. The poor/disadvantaged are largely taken care of by Medicaid.

The wealthy are able to absorb the costs without issue. But the middle class is being squeezed to death by the increasingly outlandish cost of health insurance and healthcare services, and those must be reined in if the middle class is to survive. I believe Montana’s tax structure as is to be unsustainable. There is too much reliance on property tax, especially at the local level. Natural resource tax revenues are in decline and unlikely to ever return to their former level. Tourism is now our #2 industry, but tourists at present contribute relatively little to state coffers in tax revenue and virtually nothing to local communities outside the handful of “resort tax” communities. We are simply going to have to do something to start generating significant tax revenue from our second largest industry, while simultaneously providing property tax relief to our residents. I don’t believe kids should be “vaping,” and so I do support age restrictions on the purchase of vaping products. I also believe the governor was justified in ordering the temporary sales ban on flavored vaping products. By and large, it seems that vaping products were rushed to market without enough testing of their potential health effects, and more testing is needed so policymakers

VOTE

can make more informed decisions on regulation. If there’s going to be a private school tax credit, I believe religious schools should be included. Here in Montana, putting all other arguments aside, I believe it is right simply for pragmatic reasons. I can’t think of a private school in the entire Eastern Montana region that does not have a religious affiliation. Therefore the Legislature was right to include religious schools in the program. But if stricken down by the Supreme Court, it may be impractical to make another attempt, and, particularly for rural Eastern Montana, which lacks private schools without religious affiliation, of little to no benefit. If elected, my first and foremost concern will be ensuring that House District 36 receives its full, fair share of funding support from state tax revenues, so much of which were generated in Eastern Montana. I believe that it is my first duty to ensure that the infrastructure, schools, services, and agricultural producers of Dawson and Wibaux counties – and of the incorporated communities of Glendive, Wibaux, and Richey – receive the state funding support they need not just to continue on as usual, but to grow and thrive, and I will never put partisan politics ahead of that duty.

ScoTT Tuxbury Scott Tuxbury for Montana Auditor

for STATE AudiTor

Qualified • Licensed in all 50 states in all lines of insurance • Known throughout the state & nation for his expertise & dedication • Appointed to the Montana Insurance Guarantee Association Board by Matt Rosendale, the current State Auditor • Small business owner

dedicated • He has worked tirelessly to bring new insurance companies to Montana • He has worked to design innovative insurance programs for a range of people & businesses • More than 37 years in the insurance business in Montana • Will fight against fraud and elder abuse

find out more about Scott at https://tuxformt.com or on

Paid for by Tux for Montana - PO Box 1618, Helena, MT 59624 - Republican

VOTER’S GUIDE | May 2020

HOUSE DISTRICT 36 ‌Jim Johnson – R Age and place of birth: 49, Pipestone, New Mexico Home: Wibaux Occupation: MCS enforcement officer Family: Married with two children Education: Bachelor’s degree in general agriculture, minors in agronomy and ag. Systems technology Past employment: Farm laborer, construction Military: Mortarman in 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, participated in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, also Artilleryman in 34th Infantry Division (Minnesota Army National Guard) Political experience: n/a Endorsements: MFPE Ways voters can contact you: Email: twitchy67mt@gmail.com b.) Address: PO Box 162, Wibaux, MT 59353

Phone number: 1(406)796-6035 Web page: jimjohnsonformontana. com I am not sure I would go with a block grant because that would be a set amount. Set amounts are nice for planning but it would be hard to guess if it would cover everything. More people might qualify for benefits in a year like this. Funding might not match the demand. We could have a significant shortfall. In that case we would be better if funding wasn’t a set amount. It is my understanding an interim study is being conducted looking at the three legs of the tax structure: income, property, and natural resources. I would not care to venture a guess with no information in front of me. I do know that we are weathering this shutdown better than states that are relying on sales tax. Their tax money is not rolling in.

Flavored vaping products are perceived as being geared towards minors. The ban was meant to address minors vaping. When the legal age for smoking and vaping went up to 21 years old that addressed the issue. Now a flavor ban would only apply to adults. Adults should be able to make up their own minds. For most people public education is the cornerstone of upward mobility. Public schools need to be adequately funded. In rural Montana, if a school is shut down the town dies with it. We do not have that many towns. Tax dollars go to funding government programs. I question whether tax dollars should go to fund private enterprise. Healthcare is a big issue. We need to make sure we have access to medical services in rural communities. It is in our best interest to work towards that goal. People should not have to move away to get access to better medical care.

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HOUSE DISTRICT 36 B‌ ob Phalen—R Age: 69 Home: 444 Road 222, Lindsay, Montana, 59339 Occupation: Farmer/rancher Family: Wife, 4 children, 9 grandsons Education: High school graduate; one year community college, two-year certificate for farm ranch management Past employment: Ranch hand, mechanic at Horizon Equipment Military: Navy, 1970-1973 Political experience: Local school board; local community hall board; church board

May 2020 | VOTER’S GUIDE

Ways voters can contact you: Email: bobphalen@midrivers.com Address: 444 Road 222, Lindsay, Montana 59339 Phone number: 406-939-1187 In November 2018 that issue was voted on. In Dawson County 68% of the voters choose to vote against I185 and 65% of voters in Wibaux County also voted against it. I personally voted against it, too. My job as State Representative would be to understand and support the will of the people in my district. I’d like to lessen the tax burden on Colstrip and other coal and oil re-

lated business. I support the current law at this time. We are in a free society and people do have the right to choose. You can’t regulate morality, no matter how much you’d like to. Yes, the Legislature was right to include religious schools. Parents that choose private schools are tax payers, too. I would support a tax credit as long as it doesn’t allow interference with what’s being taught. A concern in our area is the high taxes for oil, and oil development. I’d like to address that issue.

HOUSE DISTRICT 37 ‌Jerry Schillinger—R Age and place of birth: 64 Home: Circle Occupation: Farmer Family: Wife, Carol, sons Brett, Alex, and Paul (deceased) Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting from University of Montana Past employment: CPA firms Arthur Anderson, Schell, Stephens, Riley, Huffine Military: None Political experience: Candidate for Senate District 19 2018 Endorsements: None Ways voters can contact you: Email: jerryschillinger2020@gmail. com Address: Box 147 Circle 59215 Phone number: 974-2478 Rarely does one size fit all when it comes to any program. This would allow state and local people to allocate dol-

lars more closely to the needs of the area. In all of this, we need to take a step back and assess how we are delivering health care here in Montana and try and determine if a new direction is needed. This requires input from a wide arena of people, not just political. This is an even more timely question given the recent virus issue. Online shopping will accelerate even more quickly than it would have otherwise. Tax policy should not pick winners and losers but rather attempt to keep as level of economic playing field as possible. Also, any reorganization should not just be a method for increased taxation but rather true reform. Tax policy should not hinder production in our economy. As I understand it, current law bans sale of vaping products to anyone under the age of 18. The law should be enforced. I don’t see any reason to put a tax on it. These products actually seem

to help some people stop smoking. Perhaps time will tell which is the greater evil. The legislature was spot on in passing this legislation. The Montana Supreme Court did as they tend to do, and that is legislate from the bench. School choice should be made easier, not more difficult. We all pay taxes for education in Montana. Parents and students should not be put in a box when it comes to choosing the students education. The current virus situation may underscore the importance of this even more. I have heard over and over again, “Why does it take so long to get a natural resources project approved? Why do I have to spend so much time doing compliance work rather than being productive?” I am hopeful a new conservative governor and legislature will make the ability of people to produce easier and their lives more enjoyable.

HOUSE DISTRICT 37 Daughter Maci, 19. Son, Andy, 19 Education: Attended Montana State where I majored in ag business with a minor in animal science. Past employment: Self-employed for 24 years. Prior to that, worked as a management trainee for a large cattle feedlot in Kansas. Military: None Political experience: Montana Senate for four sessions as vice chair of finance and claims, vice chair of ag, majority whip, and president pro tem. Last session in the House, chair of the health and human services appropriation sub-committee. I also serve as vice chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ committee on HHS. Endorsements: Over career in the legislature, been endorsed by the Montana Stockgrowers’ Association, Montana Farm Bureau, National Rifle Association, Montana Shooting Sports Association, and Montana Chamber of ‌Frederick D. (Eric) Moore—R Commerce. Age and place of birth: 50 Ways voters can contact you: Home: Miles City Email: fdm7098@gmail.com Occupation: Farmer/rancher cattle Address: 487 Signal Butte Rd, Miles feeder City, MT 59301 Family: Married, Lea, 22 years. Phone number: (406) 234-3562

Web page: Moore4easternMT.com Yes, I would support President Trump’s model because it would allow for greater flexibility for the states to implement. Although waivers have been easier to obtain under this administration than under President Obama, Medicaid is still too much a one size fits all model. It is unrealistic to believe that a system that works in Rhode Island would also be ideal for eastern Montana. Montana has a 19th century tax structure in a 21st century economy. In my district, farmers and ranchers struggle with commodity prices at or below breakeven levels, and yet property taxes are due each year. Homeowners, especially those on fixed incomes, struggle with the same problem. We must broaden our tax base to bring property tax relief. Any kind of “new economy” tax should be used to buy down property taxes so the result is revenue neutral. Vaping is a potentially dangerous habit, but so is smoking. With regard to substance abuse, I am much more concerned about the methamphetamine and opioids infesting our schools and neighborhoods. State government has a duty to protect our children from dan-

gerous substances, but adults must take a degree of responsibility for their own health and safety. I voted for the 2015 bill that allowed a tax credit for charitable donations to private schools. While having a long history of supporting public education, I am also a believer in school choice. The Blaine amendment to the Montana constitution is widely misunderstood. Rather than a statement about the separation of church and state, the amendment was an anti Catholic measure at the time it was brought. Montanans should be able to donate to the charity of their choice with the same tax consequences. At the time of this writing, we are all preoccupied with COVID, but this crisis shall pass. Unfortunately, the infection of illegal drugs will persist. This poison effects our schools, prisons, mental health workers, and child protective specialists. That’s why I carried the bill for two K9 interdiction teams, as well as co-sponsored the 2017 Montana Meth Summit. Ridding ourselves will take a coordinated effort of the legislature, executive, and our local and federal partners. I am dedicated to winning this war.

VOTER’S GUIDE | May 2020

HOUSE DISTRICT 39 Clerk and Recorder 36 years, First Montana Title 3 years, Former Owner Small Lawn Fertilization Business Military: None Political experience: Rosebud County Clerk and Recorder 36 years; Representative House District 39, 2015, 2017, 2019; vice chair Rosebud County Republican Central Committee Endorsements: Montana Stockgrowers, Montana Federation of Public Employees. Ways voters can contact you: Email: jericuster@yahoo.com Address: Box 1075, Forsyth, Mt. 59327 Phone number: 406 351 1235 Web page: GeraldineCuster.com Understanding rules before budgeting for such a critical appropriation is key. Currently, both Medicaid programs have set federal match amounts, and knowing the funding amounts from the start of the budget process makes ‌Geraldine Custer—R for a much tighter estimate of expense Age and birth place: 65, Miles City and revenue, outweighing the ability to Home: Forsyth pick and choose what gets funded with a Family: Daughters, Amy, 38 and Arica, block grant. Another down side of block 39, nine grandchildren grants is they are a set amount to start Education: Eastern Montana College with plus an added mechanism for inflation. Medical costs have outpaced inflanow MSUB Past employment: Rosebud County tion, and in an economic downturn more

folks could be eligible eating up more than the inflation growth. I voted for the tax study because it is time to take a look at our complicated inequitable tax structure. The industries driving the economy have changed positions over the years. Montana used to rely heavily on our Natural Resource taxes, and currently Tourism is the second largest industry pumping 7.l billion into our economy last year. Our main street businesses pay income and property tax, while their online competitors are getting off tax free. Our fixed income seniors can’t afford their residential taxes, because many reside in an area where home values have skyrocketed compounded with additional costs. Last October, Governor Bullock imposed a vaping flavor ban to discourage adolescent vaping. While the ban was being litigated in court, the federal government raised the age of smoking and vaping from l8 to 21 nationwide. Do it yourself flavor kits were sold as a work around for adults over 21, that preferred other flavors besides menthol and nicotine, in hopes they would not go back to smoking regular cigarettes. I could support a nicotine vape tax generating funds to educate youth. If vaping was a quit mechanism, the product could be tax

Republican State Legislator Chairman of House Energy Committee Pro Business, Pro Development Supports Affordable, Reliable Energy Paid for by Montanans for Daniel Zolnikov, PO Box 50403 Billings, MT 59105 – Republican

May 2020 | VOTER’S GUIDE

free to the user for a set period of time. SB 410, the school tax credit law, attempted to give Montana Taxpayers a choice to fund education pretax. A taxpayer could grant their 150.00 credit to a public school for innovative education and/ or to the scholarship fund for private school tuition. It turned out not one public school applied for innovative education funds, and the majority of student applicants desiring scholarships were attending religious schools. Only one private school participated in the scholarship program. I cannot support a voucher program, unless I can be assured our Public Schools are adequately funded and providing a quality education. The Covid-19 pandemic solidified the fact that healthcare is the number one concern in Montana resulting in economic disaster. Montana has an aging population, rampant opioid addiction and a high suicide rate. In my district, we need to encourage providers to practice in the rural areas and equip them to do so. It is going to take federal, as well as, state legislation to correct problems that plague the health and economy of our citizens. We need education early on for healthy lifestyles, affordable coverage for services and drugs and tort reform on malpractice laws that drive up healthcare costs.

SENATE DISTRICT 16 Family: Two daughters, Emma Dupree (10) and Kaylee (4) Education: Some college Past employment: U.S. Army for 16½ years, Fort Peck Tribal Police Department, and the Fort Peck Tribal Council Military: 16½ years as an Infantryman / 11B and got out as a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer. I served 5 deployments overseas (Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq 3 times) Political experience: Five years as a Fort Peck Tribal Council member; Chairman of the Law and Justice Committee for the Fort Peck Tribes; 3 years as a Poplar School board member; secretary for the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council; 3 years on the Fort Peck Community board of directors; Intertribal Buffalo Council representative; 3 years on Northern Tribes DUI Task Force; State Tribal Economic Development Commission; ‌Jestin Dupree—D National / IHS Healthcare Coordination Age and place of birth: 40, Poplar, advisory board Montana Endorsements: None Home: Montana Ways voters can contact you: Occupation: Fort Peck Tribal Email: jdupree@fortpecktribes.net Council member Address: PO Box 491 or 604 6th Ave

E in Poplar, MT 59255 Phone number: 406-768-7813 Web page: www.Facebook.com/ Daily Updates from Fort Peck Tribal Councilman Jestin Dupree I would not support the block grants because we live in some very rural areas. What works in urban areas is not is what is working in rural areas. We are unique in Montana with our tribal and non-tribal areas regarding health care and we should not be cutting our state citizens short or allow people in Washington DC to make decisions for the people on the ground. Our citizens deserve the best healthcare out there. One of the things I would implement would be a panel of people who are subject matter experts in order to discuss the pros and cons on these topics. The best route I would recommend would be to get these people in the same room and give us guidance on what they would recommend. I have come to learn to respect the decisions of our directors and boards. As a non-smoker I would recommend to go the same route as above and consult with some people in the health field to weigh the pros and cons

in order to get a well-informed decision. I do not support the selling of vaping products to juveniles. There are some very well-versed people who have a lot of knowledge on this discussion. It would be foolish for me to answer this question without any meaningful consultation. If you can tell by my previous answers, I am a big fan of consulting the subject matter experts in order to make sound decisions. On the private school issue, I would not support that because we have public schools that do a wonderful job in this state. I could not see taking money from those pots to create a separate, private school because a lot of schools are struggling. Thank you for allowing me to share a few thoughts with you. As a veteran living in a remote area I see a bigger more effective push to get our veterans care. Living in NE Montana I have to drive 2 hours on my shortest trip in order to receive care. Our veterans are driving anywhere from 1 to 9 hours one way in order to get seen by the veteran’s affairs office. I would like to see a mobile health unit come out to our remote areas in order to build a relationship with those veterans.

Daniel

larson

Republican for US Senate My mission is to be a voice of opposition to the current state of the political establishments in both parties. I believe it is time to take an introspective look at where we are. We need to expect more from our congressional delegation. Let’s move forward to a version of the future we can be proud of. On June 2, 2020, Montana has the opportunity to send a message that will echo around the country. We need new voices in the Republican party. Voices amplified not by the Money in their bank account but by the wisdom in their heart. Voices that stand in opposition to the Republicans that sponsor corporate socialism while their rhetoric erodes the fabric of our communities. Right now, several issues require an honest public servant in the U.S. Senate. A servant who is willing to listen to the concerns of Montanans, resist political and corporate influence, and deliver balanced and practical solutions. • The CSKT Water Compact Senate Bill 3019 This bill is deeply flawed and does not adequately resolve water rights in western Montana. • Montana agricultural Producers do not want a handout or subsidy; they want a fair price for their products. • Presidential Politics Regardless of who is elected president this year, Montana will need a U.S. Senator who is willing to act independent of establishment politics and have the courage to act as a guardrail against executive overreach and corruption.

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VOTER’S GUIDE | May 2020

SENATE DISTRICT 16 Home: Wolf Point Occupation: Retired Family: Richard DeCelles, two sons, Forrest and Garrett Smith, four grandchildren Education: Bachelor’s degree community studies, NAES College Past employment: Farming and ranching, horse breeder, social worker, mental health agency, substitute school teacher, Catholic youth minister, Girl Friday, and homemaker. Military: n/a Political experience: Elected senator-at-large at Pierce College in the ‘70s, election judge, Democratic Central Committee, chairman and vice chair through the years, State Representative HD 32, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 to the present, Endorsements: Montana Sportsmen Alliance Ways voters can contact you: Email: repbsmith@gmail.com ‌Bridget Smith – D Phone number: 406-653-1234 or Age and place of birth: 69, Glendale, 406-230-2268 California

No, it is not worth the risk. The federal funding currently provides 90% of Montana’s Medicaid Expansion costs. The block grant system reduces the funding to a dangerously low level and threatens Montana with unprecedented financial risk. As a recipient state of Federal dollars, Montana needs the current funding level to effectively contribute to the greater good. The block grant funding-caps distort Montana’s great need for adequate health care and insidiously cut much needed Federal support; I’m ready for that discussion. Montanans are being taxed out of their homes, we need solutions. Voters could decide how to offset the property tax burden and help long-standing Montanans keep their homes by passing a 2-3% sales tax. This tax revenue would be only for property tax relief and schools. Our huge tourist industry provides an answer through a sales tax. Another idea, freeze property taxes for homeowners, then limit the percentage of increase as long as the home is not sold. This allows the property owner to estimate future property taxes and not be subject to

enormous increases in property tax. We need to protect our children. We must start by restricting access for children and strictly enforcing current laws especially those that regulate sales to minors. Vaping oils into the lungs, with no way to filter-out toxins cause’s lung illnesses and death, and while it is inappropriate to control the appetites of adults, we are obligated to protect our children. No. I prefer to fund public education. I support your right to choose a private school, a religious school or home schooling. Our public schools provide education for all and do not pick and choose who attends, by law. Most private and religious schools enjoy different tax exempt status, but the Constitution mandates a separation of church and state. We need more industry in Eastern Montana. I am an advocate for Country of origin labeling for our beef producers. I support Tribal Sovereignty, job creation and job expansion. Thank You for allowing me to represent your interests. As a public servant I would appreciate your vote.

SENATE DISTRICT 26 Occupation: Owner of a small family-owned business Friedel, LLC Family: Wife Leslie of 12 years, Son Liam (5), Daughter Arabella (8) Education: Billings West High School, Montana Tech Past employment: (No response) Military: n/a Political experience: Billings City Council Ward 3 2015-2019 Endorsements: None Ways voters can contact you: Email: chris@chrisfriedel.com Address: 3302 2nd Ave. N. Billings, MT 59101 Phone number: 406-272-2245 Web page: www.chrisfriedel.com I would support the idea of Medicaid block grants as I think the current handling of the program is very cost-prohibitive, especially to the taxpayers. I favor the idea of having the state have the freedom and flexibility to handle the spending of the block grant and allowing it to choose what the people of Montana deems essential.

1. ‌Chris Friedel—R Age and birth place: (No response) Home: Billings

May 2020 | VOTER’S GUIDE

First, I am not in favor of any new taxation. I think we can work with the collection of tools for taxation and work within those parameters. I think you can make an argument to eliminate one tax for another. An example, I think taxpayers would favor a consumption tax and eliminate property tax, which would allow people to truly own their property instead of renting it from the government. If this would happen, you could benefit from the tourism and recreational business that comes to Montana, which would lessen the pressure of the already tax burdened citizen. Regulation that is currently in place with the cigarette industry should apply to the vape industry. I also think giving people the educational information to make the most informed decisions for their health. I think the state should allow the parents to determine which type of schooling is appropriate for their children, whether it be public or private. Legislation should allow the

funds partitioned for each child to follow the student to whichever schooling establishment they see fit to garner their education. If the cost is more than the allocation, then the parents are responsible for the offset. By doing this, I think it will garner competition in competing systems, and all students will benefit. Public Safety is the primary concern constituents wanted me to handle in Helena. One concern to address the issue of overcrowding in our jail. As a senator, I want to work with the county and city to solve this issue. One example could be to incorporate a diversion program into each county (currently being implemented and effectively reducing the number of inmates in our jail). Another solution could be pooling regional resources to curb our county’s cost, keeping costs down for counties adjacent, taking pressure off their budgets of maintaining a jail, and help upkeep and expansion of ours.

SENATE DISTRICT 28 Past employment: Administrator/ petroleum engineer—Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation; district engineer, Billings district—U.S. Geological Survey Military: None Political experience: Montana House 2015, Montana Senate, 2017, 2019 Endorsements: (2019 published scorecards); Montana Chamber Commerce—98%; Montana Family Foundation—100%; Montana Farm Bureau Federation -104%; Montana Contractors Association—93%; United Property Owners of Montana—88%. Ways voters can contact you: Email: tomrichmondMT@gmail.com Address: 3103 Westfield Drive, Billings MT 59106 Phone number: (406)208-5588 Web page: www.tomrichmondmt.com Block grants could provide greater flex‌Tom Richmond—R ibility in administering and customAge and place of birth: 71, Great Falls izing Medicaid services, but I would need Home: Billings more information. Federal funds always Occupation: Retired petroleum bring federal requirements. Congress and engineer the then-current administration could add Family: Wife, Rene, 50 years or change program requirements making it Education: Bachelor’s petroleum harder for the block grant to serve its origiengineering, Montana Tech; Distinguished nal purpose. Cutting red tape and improving timelines and efficiency could be a very Alumni Award, 2016

SENATE DISTRICT 28

‌Brad Molnar—R Age and place of birth: 70, Walkerton, Indiana Home: Laurel Occupation: Retired from my construction business of 34 years Family: Married, three grown children, 12 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren Education: Studied forestry and journalism at University of Montana. Profes

sional certificates in energy regulation, international energy management, grain aeration and grain handling. Past employment: Owned design/ build construction company mainly focused on farm and commercial applications for grain storage, aeration, and handling for 33 years. I also served on the Montana Public Service Commission for eight years. Military: n/a Political experience: Montana House of Representatives representing Laurel area 1993 -1999. Public Service Commission 2005 – 2011. Twice served as vice chairman. Endorsements: Montanans for Limited Government. Ways voters can contact you: Email: brad.molnar@yahoo.com Address: PO 517, Laurel, Montana 59044 Phone number: (406) 794-5982 Web page: molnarforsenate.com Facebook: Molnar for Senate Depending on the strings attached, I favor government closest to the served population to reduce waste and one-sizefits-all solutions. The immediate solution is for our congressional delegation to get off the bench and demand a Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rate that covers the cost of services received. Demanding we put more people on welfare to achieve

desirable result, but the details would determine if there is adequate funding over time. Healthcare costs have outpaced inflation, so an inflation adjusted grant may fall short. I would be concerned about a cost shift to Montana taxpayers. Montana’s economy changed virtually overnight due to recent events. The economic strength of tourism and recreation may be more challenged than this question might suggest. Regardless, there is much room for improvement in the tax structure –we have 15 different classes of real property and 17 pages of codes to determine actual tax rates. The disparity between centrally assessed taxes on facilities of virtually the same age, size, and production output is remarkable. There are no simple answers, but I supported a resolution calling for a comprehensive review of the tax structure (HJ35) and that study is progressing. E-cigarettes and associated products are legal to sell to adults, much like tobacco and related products. The legislature should be concerned about the use of healthrisky or addictive products by underage consumers. The sale of flavored products clearly appeals to youth. Generally, I do not support the government prohibiting adults from enjoying risky pursuits unless there is a

higher reimbursement rates (Medicaid Expansion) is un-defendable. All three of our congressional delegation should be embarrassed. Montana families should not lose their homes, nor Montana’s employers be put in a non-competitive position, because of tax rates based on funding an ever expanding bureaucracy. Your question assumes all state expenditures are defendable therefore it is the tax system that needs modification. Current expenditures are never seriously re-examined, so antiquated and ineffective programs grow. We need to address our spendaholic ways, take the first of 12 steps, and mandate performance audits of current programs. Then we can look at funding sources and appropriate funding levels for effective programs. You know, just like adults looking at the family budget. Taxation and flavor bans just encourage internet sales. Chemists that design flavors to achieve nicotine addiction in children, manufacturers, and distributors of vaping products sold to children, should be charged with felony child endangerment. This would discourage vaping products from entering Montana and we will have done all we can effectively do. The addition of marijuana to vaping

clear demonstration of that pursuit causing risk to non-participants. I do support prohibiting sales of vaping products to minors and I am also concerned about sales of doit-yourself additive kits which might escape regulation as vaping products. I supported SB410 in the 2015 session. The bill provides for $150 maximum tax credit to the taxpayer that donates to a scholarship fund for students in any one tax year. Tax credits are not paid to the school they are credited to the taxpayer, much like a charitable contribution that is tax deductible to the donor. I continue to support the intent and purpose of SB410. I believe that this approach will aid students and their parents and does not constitute state support of religious intuitions. My constituents are very concerned about Covid-19. They are concerned about returning to normal work and life routines. The legislature will need to reassess our preparedness for future episodes and evaluate the effects on our economy and jobs. We should take this opportunity to determine what the best processes are to deal with a national health emergency so that it does not destroy our livelihoods and our economy, and at the same time protects our health and lives.

products is suspect in the death and illness rates from vaping. Those that give, sell, or procure, marijuana used in vaping should be held civilly and criminally responsible for the health issues they have caused. Governor Bullock allowed this bill to become law. Apparently he thought it was constitutional as he would never violate his oath of office, especially the 2nd amendment. Ha! As a strict constructionist I will honor my oath and protect the plain wording of our Constitutions. If the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down our statute I will vote to allow parents to choose the best option to educate their children within that ruling. We must allow flexibility to parents, and fund our public schools, to ensure a world class education and entrance into the global economy for all Montana children. 1(a) I shall advance options to fund the environmental remediation of the Colstrip ash ponds that do not burden NWE ratepayers or Montana taxpayers. Resolving this $1B (estimated) funding conundrum will not only protect rate payers but also remove the uncertainty thus allowing future investment in the area. 1(b) And, yes, I shall continue to advocate for Montana resident primacy over nonresident hunters for access to Montana’s wildlife resources.

VOTER’S GUIDE | May 2020

U.S. Senate: waiting for the battle of the Steves Minor opponents remain on the U.S. Senate primary ballot, but the deal is done TOM LUTEY tlutey@billingsgazette.com‌ ‌Any chance of a truly competitive Montana primary for U.S. Senate ended when Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock entered the race. What appeared to be a low-funded threecandidate battle for Democratic nomination faded away, as candidates Cora Neumann, of Bozeman, and Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins withdrew. Only John Mues and Mike Knowles remained, locked in a battle for second place and badly out-funded and lacking the name recognition of Bullock, a twice-elected governor and former attorney general. The battle of the Steves, Bullock and incumbent Sen. Steve Daines, was on. The race is considered competitive. The Cook Political Report lists the Montana race as leaning Republican. Daines has two opponents as well. John Driscoll, of Butte and Daniel Larson, of Stevensville, will be on the Republican ballot.

until the final weeks before, Bullock had insisted repeatedly the Senate wasn’t a good fit and that he wasn’t interested. But there had been rumors that highprofile Democrats were courting Bullock. He met with former Democratic President Barack Obama, who in 2008 had done better in Montana than most Democratic candidates. Obama had only trailed Republican John McCain by 2.6% in Montana, though he slid back to earth in 2012 capturing 41% of the Montana vote. Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer then traveled to Montana to court Bullock before the governor announced he would be a Senate candidate. Despite the challenges of campaigning during a pandemic, Bullock managed to raise $3 million in less than a month as a candidate. And, the governor’s press Lee Newspapers‌ conferences on the pandemic have been Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, left, and Montana U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, right. Trumpian in frequency. Daines is at about $5 million for the Bullock, who spent the later half of date made his announcement as the filing cycle. The general election cycle starts 2019 as a longshot presidential candi- deadline for candidates arrived. Right up June 3.

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May 2020 | VOTER’S GUIDE

PRIMARY ELECTION MOVES TO MAIL BALLOT

Ballots will be mailed on May 8 ROB ROGERS rrogers@billingsgazette.com‌ ‌All active registered voters in Montana will be able to vote by mail in the June 2 primaries. Following a directive issued by Gov. Steve Bullock in March, each county in the state was given the option of conducting an all mail-in ballot primary in June as the state works to slow the spread of COVID-19. By Friday, every county in the state had confirmed to the Secretary of State’s office they would take the mail-in option. “We’ve approved them all,” said Dana Corson, the state elections director. Counties have until Wednesday to switch back to administering a traditional election with polling places. “But I think it’s unlikely at this point,”

Corson said. Ballots will be mailed on May 8. While polling places will be closed on Election Day, each county’s election office is required to accommodate some form of early, in-person voting, according to the governor’s directive. “Each county will need to maintain an office or a place to assist voters and polling, and we are gathering that information now,” Corson said. The directive also mandates that postage for every ballot mailed in by voters will be paid for by that county’s election office. Voters will not have to pay for postage, he said. That’s different from the absentee ballot system used by Montana counties, which requires voters to pay the postage. For years the state has given voters the

LARRY MAYER/Gazette Staff‌

In this file photo, ballots are sorted for counting at the Montana Pavilion at MetraPark in 2012.

option of voting absentee by mail. For example, in Yellowstone, the state’s most populous county, roughly 73,000 of the county’s 85,000 registered voters, or 87.6%, vote by mail through absentee ballot. While those numbers vary by county, a sizable group of voters across the state still casts ballots at a polling place, Corson said. And even if it’s a relatively small group, voters gathering at a polling location on Election Day put themselves and the poll workers at risk.

“We still would have had to put a large number of election judges into close proximity of each other and the public at our 14 polling places,” said Bret Rutherford, Yellowstone County elections administrator. “In the current situation, this was a nobrainer for me.” Currently, the state has no plans to extend the vote-by-mail directive to November’s general election, but it’s possible. “It’ll depend on the virus situation in November,” Corson said.

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Rosendale challengers see pandemic-changing odds improving in House primary TOM LUTEY tlutey@billingsgazette.com‌ ‌There are only two things that fuel a statewide campaign, money or shoe leather. In the Montana Republican primary for U.S. House, Matt Rosendale raised more than $1 million. His opponents were going to have to make up the difference by hitting the road. Then, the pandemic hit, which changed everything, not only the ability to interact with voters, but also the issues people wanted to talk about. Challengers like Joe Dooling, Corey Stapleton and Debra Lamm see opportunity in that change. Rosendale, on the other hand, still has all the characteristics of a frontrunner. Including name recognition from his 2018 Senate campaign loss to incumbent Democrat Jon Tester. “This opportunity is so up in the air because of how we’ve had to react in the pandemic. I think it’s open. I think anything can happen,” Lamm said this week. “When I talk to people, I’ve heard from men and women that they think I have the best opportunity to beat the most likely Democrat candidate, Kathleen (Williams), because it removes the gender factor and people can focus on the issues and the policy differences.” There are policy differences among voters, even if the issues dominating political discussions, healthcare and the economy, are the same. Lamm, the former Montana GOP chairwoman, sees a need for government to get out of the way of hospitals, particularly when it comes to elective surgeries, which Gov. Steve Bullock ordered cancelled in response to the pandemic. The government shouldn’t be deciding what’s elective, Lamm said. “There are hospitals that are taking the COVID patients and others that aren’t, and why should they be prevented? It’s absurd,” she said. “What’s really disturbing to me is what they consider elective. When you’re walking around bone on bone, I could give you a dozen people I know right now. That’s not elective, they have no quality of life.” Stapleton, Montana’s secretary of state, watched the business fallout from the pandemic show up in the licensing data in his office. The number of the business that didn’t pay the fee to re-register with the state was off 11% from the previous year in

May 2020 | VOTER’S GUIDE

just a few weeks. There’s been a lot of stress on businesses as the ones deemed nonessential were forced to close. Congress has spent trillions in response to the one two punch of the health crisis and the business crisis. The challenges of the getting those major decisions right, should change the race, he said. “We don’t even know how bad it is. We don’t know how big the iceberg is underneath the water,” Stapleton said. “If voters aren’t looking for something different, they probably ought to be because if we’re just electing ideologues who are going to throw bombs back and forth at each other, tit for tat, all that is not going to get us anywhere.” The coronavirus isn’t going away, Dooling said. Congress needs to learn some lessons and change the way it reacts moving forward. The rancher and former Lewis and Clark County commissioner has several takeaways from the past two months, starting with trade. Dooling said trading across the globe should have been suspended so that prices for everything from farm products to oil weren’t affected by panicked traders. He recognizes the need for social distancing, but doesn’t think shutting down most of the country for weeks at a time was a good idea. “This virus is going to move down to the Southern Hemisphere, because they’re going to have their winter. It’s going to float around and come back up here in our fall because that’s what viruses do. And this virus will be around forever because that’s how COVID viruses are. We already have three of them floating around and this one is going to be a fourth,” Dooling said. “Can Congress throw another $4 trillion at this and have everyone work at home? What is the new threshold we’re going to do a lockdown on for sickness? I just don’t believe this is a realistic solution for lockdowns that are going to happen.” There needed to be more data on the virus, staring with China and moving forward, so a better response could be made, Dooling said. China should be punished for not sharing information about the COVID-19. One thing Dooling said the stay-athome order has proven is that carbon pollution can be reduced by working at home. Roads and bridges can last longer with less traffic. Coal-fired power plants, Dooling said, can continue operating. The Green

Matt Rosendale

BETHANY BAKER, Billings Gazette‌

Joe Dooling

Corey Stapleton

Debra Lamm

New Deal, a carbon-free environmental policy advocated by Bernie Sanders and other Democratic Socialists, is dead, Dooling said. Rosendale has played a role on Montana’s pandemic response as state auditor, which deals with securities and private insurance. He draws from that experience when describing the challenges presented by COVID-19. “We started back in February recognizing that we were on the verge of having a major problem. The first thing we had to do was say where is it going to have the initial impact and that’s on the financial markets,” Rosendale said. “When we saw the financial markets were going to start taking a hit, we put into place public service announcements talking about exploitation. Anytime you see a dramatic change in the financial world, there’s kind of unscrupulous individuals that will immediately start trying to offer up scams and take advantage of our seniors

“After we got that out of the way, the next impact we saw was to make sure there was adequate testing that was taking place. I personally sat down and reached out to all of our major health insurers here in the state and said ‘What are you going to do about this testing and how can you help the people of Montana. We agreed to make sure that they waived all co-pays and deductibles for COVID-19 testing so that no none had to make that a financial consideration.” There was a role for Rosendale in working with the state’s four major health insurers to extend coverage of telehealth services. Support from Rosendale’s Senate campaign has stuck around. President Donald Trump has endorsed Rosendale for U.S. House, after holding four Montana rallies in 2018 to support Rosendale’s Senate campaign. The fundraising machine of federal office candidate has also carried over. He received a very similar number of votes in his Senate run, as Williams did in her House run against incumbent Rep. Greg Gianforte.

Kathleen Williams the favorite in Democratic House primary TOM LUTEY tlutey@billingsgazette.com‌ ‌Before the pandemic, Montana’s Democratic candidates for U.S. House were already talking about improving health care access and bettering the economic conditions if of the working public. If anything has changed, it’s that more voters are listening. The number of Montanans registered for unemployment has shot up to 81,000. The unemployment rose from 12,163 in February, which is typically one of Montana’s worst two months in any year. “One statistic that I’ve been worried about for a very long time is when the Federal Reserve concluded that 40% of Americans couldn’t afford a surprise bill of $400 or more,” said Kathleen Williams, a Bozeman conservationist and former state legislator who by most counts is the primary election frontrunner. “There’s just no cushion for so many people in America and certainly in Montana. I think this crisis hits hardest on people who are least able to absorb it. It shows that workers who don’t have sick leave are at risk of losing their jobs for staying home to get healthy.” Williams was talking about extending Medicare as an option for people as young as 55 in her 2018 campaign for House. With a need to pay for COVID-19 treatment for the uninsured, President Donald Trump’s administration started paying “Medicarelevel” prices to hospitals serving uninsured Americans of any age. Trump has also offered states the option of waiving of Medicaid enrollment requirements, so the pubic health care program for the low-income people can be rapidly expanded. Republicans had fought expansion previously. The response to COVID-19 has to be more thorough, Williams said. That’s something this Congress and the next will have to correct. “I’ve been calling for testing, testing, testing, testing, for six weeks now. We need to have both the protocols and resources in place to manage a pandemic that we can’t see at this point,” William said. “I think Montana and our local officials have done a great job getting the testing for the contact tracing that they need to do to get this under control, but we need to learn so much more about what this disease does, who it does it to, over what time frame, what antibodies can protect us from for how long. A robust testing system. We needed to get that going and to have leadership from the federal level from day one.” Republicans in in a six-way primary for the House identify Williams their general election opponent. She ran for the seat two years ago, but lost to incumbent Republican

jdwfoto‌

Volunteer handing out I Voted stickers after filling out a election ballot at a district voting station.

Kathleen Williams

Tom Winter

LARRY MAYER, Billings Gazette‌

Kathleen Williams announces a second run for Congress at the Yellowstone County Courthouse Friday afternoon. Rep. Greg Gianforte, who is forgoing an- next for five politicians over 24 years. other congressional run and campaigning Williams has raised $1.6 million in the instead for Montana’s open governor’s seat. last 12 months and has $1.1 million in the In conversations with Lee Montana bank, enough money to be one of top 10 the newspapers this week to the top for GOP best funded Democratic House candidates candidates, that is to say the ones who in the nation for an open house seat. She is raised at least enough money to muster a slightly ahead of Republican Matt Rosencampaign, also acknowledged Williams as a dale, Montana’s current state auditor in tough opponent. That’s a compliment given money raised. But Williams does have a primary oppothat Montana’s only House seat has been handed down from one Republican to the nent. Tom Winter, of Missoula, is a current

state legislator. Winter made it to the state House in 2019 by unseating Republican Adam Hertz in a seesaw district in which Hertz unseated an incumbent Democrat in 2016. Winter, like Williams, has seen his bread-and-butter campaign message about health care and better conditions for the working class take on a new twist during the current health crisis. An emergency medical technician before the election cycle, Winter pivoted to trying to respond to the pandemic as a statewide stay-at-home order upended campaign events and travel. He acquired N95 face masks from China and donated them to Montana medical workers short on personal protective equipment. “The mixture of politics and delivering food and delivering needed medical supplies, I think is something I did not anticipate in an industrialized economy in 2020, but it’s a political act to give someone a mask now. And I believe that deeply,” Winter said. “It’s a political act when people don’t have them. And that’s a choice we’ve all made.” Winter, like Williams, recognizes that a significant number of Americans were already in a rolling financial crisis for years and that the pandemic has only exacerbated the problem. Economists have identified the current economic challenges as flowing from Main Street upward, which is reflected in Winter’s observations. “Welcome to the show, people who were running the country before. We’ve all lived on contingencies. We’ve always lived with the specter of illness, decimating our bank accounts and our jobs and our lives, but now it comes for everyone,” Winter said. There are going to have to be more rounds of stimulus counter the economic consequences of the pandemic, Winter said. Funding the response has been complicated by the $2 trillion Trump tax cuts of 2017, which carved away federal revenue that’s needed now. VOTER’S GUIDE | May 2020

GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN

3 GOP candidates square off in debate Fox, Olszewski take aim at Gianforte TOM LUTEY tlutey@billingsgazette.com‌ Montana’s three Republican ‌ candidates for governor squared off in Billings in January, trading barbs and talking taxes, crime control and job creation. It was the first time Attorney General Tim Fox, Al Olszewski and U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte were on stage together. The congressman, who leads the pack in fundraising and name recognition having been on the ballot four times in five years, was targeted by his rivals early and often. Olszewski, the least known of the three men, opened by suggesting there’d been attempts to drive

MIKE CLARK PHOTOS, Billings Gazette‌

Montana Republican candidates for governor, from left, U.S. Representative Greg Gianforte, Montana Attorney General Tim Fox and State Sen. Al Olszewski take part in a debate at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center in Billings on Thursday. him from the ballot. body-slammed out of this race. “Despite the rumors and lies Montana deserves a governor and backstabbing and the flip- that’s a fighter, and I’m the man for flopping, I’m in this race until the that job.” end,” Olszewski said in his opener. The body slam was an appar“I will not be bullied, bought or ent reference to Gianforte’s assault

Re-Elect Tony O’Donnell Public Service Commissioner — because ratepayers deserve it! For three years Tony O’Donnell has prevented about $85 MILLION IN UNFAIR ELECTRIC RATE INCREASES from being on Montana’s ratepayer utility bills —with NO reduction in reliability. The heat and lights are still on. Keep Tony working for you. Paid for by Tony O’Donnell for Public Service Commissioner, 1810 Syllvan Lane, Billings, MT 59105--Republican

May 2020 | VOTER’S GUIDE

Montana Republican candidate for governor Greg Gianforte speaks with supporters after the debate.

on a reporter the day before Montana’s 2017 special election for U.S. House, a race the representative won by a safe margin. It’s an incident rarely raised by Republicans, save for Olszewski and President Donald Trump, who re-enacted it with admiration during a cam-

paign stop Missoula. A physician, with a strong the anti-abortion background, Olszewski defined himself as a businessman with lawmaker experience, tough on crime and entitlements. Please see DEBATE, Page 19

TOny O’DOnnEll iS a gOOD fRiEnD Of COlSTRiP As Public Service Commissioner serving Southeastern Montana, Tony O’Donnell has proven time after time, to be a good friend of Colstrip. At stake are 700 highpaying jobs, so important to the area’s economy. The community of 2,300 people faces an uncertain future. We need to keep Tony O’Donnell on the job as Montana Public Service Commissioner.

Dems target Gianforte at forum Williams, Cooney each claim to be best candidate for governor TOM LUTEY tlutey@billingsgazette.com‌

Montana Republican candidate for Governor Tim Fox shakes hands with audience members after a debate at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center in Billings in February.

Montana Republican candidate for Governor Tim Fox speaks with audience members after a debate at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center in Billings in February.

Debate From 18

He promised to post billboards at the state line offering $50,000 rewards for information about drug dealers and human traffickers. Gianforte told the audience he wouldn’t be attacking opponents and didn’t during the 80-minute debate. He emphasized Republicans hadn’t won the governor’s office since 2000. There’s anguish among the GOP about the Democrats having won the office each election since 2004. “For 16 years, one party has ruled the governor’s office,” Gianforte said. “And as a consequence, our conservative policies of lower taxes, less regulation and defending life have been vetoed. It’s time for that to change.” It was Gianforte who unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock in 2016. Gianforte then won the 2017 special election for U.S. House and was reelected in 2018. Thursday, he leaned heavily on his success as a businessman, creating RightNow Technologies, a Bozeman software company

that employed 1,100 people when it was bought by Oracle a decade ago. He also emphasized his working relationship with Trump, promising to accelerate Montana’s economy with tax cuts and regulation reform similar to the Trump agenda. Fox emphasized his experience as attorney general on a number of issues, both suing to promote natural resources development, as well as fighting crime. A Hardin native, Fox repeatedly stressed his native Montana background and his ability to work with anyone, suggesting that Gianforte couldn’t win the race for governor. He stressed that the Montana’s economy was changing, and that government needed an overhaul to meet those changes particularly when it came to taxes. “We have a different kind of an economy,” Fox said. “Sure, we need to go back, and we need to work on getting our natural resource industries and our logging industry, many of which I represented in my private practice. We need to get them back up to snuff, and we can do that. But it’s a different world, but our tax policy and our tax structure need to reflect that.”

‌Primary election voting in Montana is still about 15 weeks away, but the Democrats running for governor are declaring Republican Greg Gianforte the GOP winner and vowing to turn him away in November. Entrepreneur Whitney Williams and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney each described themselves as the Democrats’ best bet to defeat Gianforte in the fall. Gianforte’s two Republican opponents, state Attorney General Tim Fox and state Sen. Al Olszewski, were never acknowledged. The Democrats, speaking during a February forum at Montana State University Billings’ Petro Hall, identified Gianforte as wrong for opposing legal abortion, and for being on the wrong side of making tax credits available to religious schools. About 100 people attended the event. “As governor I will veto any attempt to put public money into private or religious schools. That is a red line, and I will not cross it,” Williams said. “Meanwhile, Greg Gianforte, literally arguing in front of our Supreme Court to do the opposite. Rather than siding with the State of Montana and our Constitution. He sides with those who want to give hard-earned taxpayer money to private and religious schools.” Williams was referring to the lawsuit brought against the state by Kendra Espinoza and two other Montana mothers who want to use a state-sponsored scholarship program to offset their religious schools costs. The case made it to the U.S. Supreme Court where Espinoza was in the courtroom for arguments Jan. 22. Gianforte didn’t argue the case. He did praise the religious schools advocates, as did U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, who posted video from outside the court. It isn’t known whether Gianforte was in the courtroom. Gianforte has provided significant funding to Montana Family Foundation, a group that persistently sought the tax credit for religious schools over the years. Jeff Laszloffy, president of the Montana Family Foundation, was in the courtroom Jan. 22 for the Supreme Court hearing. Williams’ “red line” against public dollars funding private and religious schools was also counter to the position taken by Cooney’s boss, Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, who did not veto the scholarship program, essentially a tax credit created by the 2015 Legislature. Bullock allowed the credit to become law. Williams dinged Bullock again during the forum saying that state funding of mental health services had gone underfunded for years. She didn’t name the governor, but she referenced his years in office as the ones when mental health service funding was in-

adequate. The candidates were asked about what they would do for coal communities affected by the decline of coal-fired power and coal mining. Cooney said it was important not to leave the communities behind. “I’ve been to Colstrip and I’ve had conversations with the folks down there. I’ve been down there when I worked for the Department of Labor and Industry,” Cooney said. “And we introduced the retraining programs down there, and there are dollars down there right now that are ready and willing to be deployed to the people when they start leaving their jobs because of the companies down there.” Both candidates said they thought that renewable energy development was a big part of Montana’s future. Neither brought up the struggles faced by renewable energy developers in the state currently, or NorthWestern Energy’s current attempt to add more coal power to its portfolio, possibly for another 20 years. Neither Cooney nor Bullock have said anything on the topic. Williams repeatedly emphasizes renewable energy and improving internet and cellphone service as necessary for improving economies in rural Montana. Williams is a philanthropist and businesswoman with deep family roots in Montana Democratic politics. Williams’ father, Pat, was a U.S. Representative for 18 years, first representing the state’s western district before becoming the state’s at large representative in 1993 after Montana lost its second House seat. Pat Williams was the only Democrat to win Montana’s at large U.S. House seat, which has been held by Republicans since 1996. Whitney’s mother, Carol, is the first woman to hold a majority leadership position in the Montana Senate. She is the founder of Carol’s List, which works to get Democratic women elected. Carol led the Montana delegation at the 2016 National Convention to nominate Hillary Clinton. Whitney Williams worked in the Clinton White House where she was Hillary Clinton’s trip coordinator after graduating from college, then worked for a large social services fundraising organization before becoming CEO of Williamsworks, a consulting business with a presence Seattle and Missoula that works with large nonprofits, corporations and philanthropic groups on public policy issues. Cooney, Bullock’s third lieutenant governor, is also a former state legislator and former Montana secretary of state. This is his third governor’s race — he was Bullock’s running mate in 2016 and a 2000 Democratic primary candidate for governor. Mark O’Keefe won the three-way Democratic primary in 2000, but Cooney got 16.2% of the vote. VOTER’S GUIDE | May 2020

Montana’s Only Military Veteran Elected to Statewide Office!

These are the issues that Corey will passionately defend while working for you in the U.S. Congress Upholding the American Dream: We must to better at bolstering a larger middle class that enjoys upward mobility and meaningful careers. As a country, we need to work towards policies that elevate the importance of this “dream” Securing our Borders: Our borders are not secure and as a result, more than 11 million immigrants are in the US illegally. This is no debate – we need to secure our country. Taking Better Care of our Military and Veterans: Veterans shouldn’t have to beg for the healthcare benefits they need. We can and must do better for those that put their lives on the line for America. Defending the Second Amendment: The right to defend ourselves is God-given. The right to keep and bear arms is a right the federal government is sworn to protect. Developing Emerging Skills: I know that Montana not only has a competitive edge in Agriculture and Energy development, Manufacturing, & Exploration – but also in IT, Engineering, Healthcare and Higher Education. Cultivating these markets will be my priority in Congress.

Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton is a Great Falls native, a fourth generation Montanan, and a graduate of the US Naval Academy. Stapleton is a smart, conservative problem-solver with a vision for a better America. He is Montana’s only military veteran elected to statewide office. His commitment to Montanans and common-sense values has not wavered since the day he crossed the stage at Annapolis.

Vote for a Veteran for U.S. Congress! 20

May 2020

Opposing Socialism: We live in a free society that embraces free markets, entrepreneurialism, and hard work. Yet there is an emerging appeal of socialism in our country, which represents a bigger question – whether socialism or capitalism will create a better future for America? I will articulate the importance of capitalism, hard work and personal responsibility. Protecting the Unborn: I’m a strong supporter of the right to life. Failure to protect the life of the innocent is unconscionable. We must defend life at every stage.

Learn more about me at https://coreystapleton.com Paid for by Stapleton for Montana 1511 14th St. W., Billings, MT 59102 – Republican