Incumbent legislator faces primary challenge

The Daily Inter Lake

Republican voters in House District 9 will decide between incumbent Bill Jones and challenger David Carlson in the June 6 primary election.

Jones is a dentist; Carlson owns Swan Bar and Grill.

The winner will square off against Democrat Edd Blackler in the November general election.

Jones, who has served one term, says his main goal is to improve the quality of life for Montanans. His primary focuses are in health and human services.

"I especially want to improve the quality, efficiency and availability of health care," he said.

Jones also wants to speak for people who can't speak for themselves.

"I want to help people that can't help themselves," he said, "and encourage people that we're helping to be self-sufficient."

Workers shouldn't be overburdened caring for unemployed people for a long time, he said, and people shouldn't live off of others forever.

"But we do have a strong moral responsibility to help," he said. "There's a difference."

Because of this stance and that he sometimes votes across party lines, Jones has been accused of being a Democrat. He wants to be able to work well with people from other political parties, he said, but he will take a Republican stance on many issues.

"I will continue to vote pro-life, pro-family, pro-health, pro-business, pro-education and pro-Second Amendment," he said.

During the last legislative session, Jones sponsored legislation to improve access to the state's lakes, rivers and streams. The bill failed, but he said this will be a goal if he is re-elected. He expects more success as he continues to network and learn about the system.

Jones said he will do his best to represent the people, but he tries to limit his political activity to a couple of nights a week. He will continue working as a dentist and always will put his family first.

"Montana was set up to have citizen legislators," he said. "I'm still working full time, and this is a night job. I think that's what the framers had in mind."

Carlson's main objective is to speak for his constituents.

"My reason for running is just to represent the people," he said. "I don't have any agenda. I'm just running wanting to represent the people."

One thing that must be addressed is the "energy problem," he said. "We've got to figure out how to take care of that."

Other issues he expects to face include property taxes, education and water adjudication.

"I just want to be a voice for people," he said, "just the people of House District 9. Not anyone else in the state, just House District 9."