LETTER: Gianforte choice for running mate is ideal

When I heard that Greg Gianforte had selected Lesley Robinson as his lieutenant governor running mate for the Montana gubernatorial race, I said to myself, “You could not have picked any better!”

As a Prairie County commissioner for more than 20 years, I have watched Lesley Robinson develop into an outstanding spokesperson for Montana. She is known on a first-name basis with our U.S. congressional staff. Lesley has testified at least twice in front of the U.S. Congress and countless times in front of our Legislature.

As a commissioner, she was appointed by the Montana Association of Counties (MACo) to the board of directors of the Western Interstate Region of the National Association of Counties and became president of the Western Interstate Region. I might add that Lesley Robinson was appointed over me to the WIR board of directors — an appointment that I humbly look back on today and have to admit that it was a very wise selection by MACo leadership.

Lesley ran for the executive board of the National Association of Counties, winning as the western representative. She represents counties from the size of Petroleum County, Montana, with a population of 500 to Los Angeles County, California, with population of over 10 million! Always asking, “Does it work for everyone or do we need to adjust for different communities?”

Lesley Robinson’s strength is “caring.” She cares for our way of life and heritage. Her mannerism is one of respect towards all. She cares for the people in every community in Montana. Lesley is a firm believer in local input and wishes. She knows that only with local support does government work.

—Todd Devlin, Terry