Election mail bag Aug. 16

I’m writing in support of Kathleen Williams for U.S. Representative in November. I have met her and listened to her speak twice in the past few years. I am impressed by her background in working on the Environmental Quality Council, a strictly bipartisan working committee established by the Legislature in 1971. She was instrumental in reaching compromises between ranchers, farmers, tribes and various groups in order to produce solutions that all parties could agree to, including water rights agreements.

In addition to her interest in responsible management of natural resources, she is also focused on improving Montana’s economy, as well as making health care more affordable. She is an avid outdoors person who is also a gun owner. She has been a Montanan since 1995, and served in the Montana state legislature from 2010 to 2016 following her work for the Environmental Council. She has been single since her husband died in 2016. She is a stepmother to two adult sons.

Matt Rosendale bought a ranch in Montana in 2002 after running his family’s real estate firm in Maryland. He then ran for the Montana Legislature as a Republican. President Trump and Vice-President Pence have both come to Montana to campaign for him. We can expect more partisan politics and Washington gridlock if he is elected.

In contrast, Kathleen Williams is a smart, sensible moderate who will be ideal for finding compromises across the aisle in Congress to solve problems.

—Landreth Fehlberg, Eureka

In a season where emotions are strong, opinions vary, and the risk is high — is not the decision to vote and who we vote for of the utmost importance? Is it possible to be safe and to have common sense? To care equally about the concerns of medical staff personnel and small business’ owners? To honor authority and make their jobs easier even when it comes at a cost of convenience? Can we practice speaking to understand one another instead of speaking only to be heard?

Now more than ever, we must ask good questions, do our research, check the source of data, question everything and then choose wisely who we will elect. As a believer in Christ I don’t have to have all the answers or control everything because I know the One who does.

As I plan to do my best to vote in a way that brings the best chance for the quality of life here in Montana as well as to protect our freedom in this country, I encourage you to do so too. My vote will be for Greg Gianforte.

—Kate Forrrest, Bozeman

As a mother, Army veteran, business owner and former high school English teacher, I know the value of civics and classical education goes far beyond politics of our time. Through civics and classical education, our children develop skills that will boost their personal growth beyond their scholastic careers. They not only learn to be “productive” citizens, but they gain a greater understanding of the world around them as well as their culture and the history and value system of our country. Civics and classical education allows a student to reflect upon the world with a more humanitarian approach. Students gain respect for not only their culture but for others around them. These insights are more important for the future of our society than any common core curriculum or standardized test series. Now more than ever is the time to take our country back as well as our children’s education which we all pay dearly for not only through our taxes but through the blood, sweat and tears of our endeavors to be successful and maintain freedom for all.

That is why I support Elsie Arntzen for re-election to State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Elsie works diligently to build not only our schools but our local communities. She believes the best way to serve our diverse state is to empower our local parents, teachers, and students to ensure they receive the best education possible in the safest environment. This November join me in voting for Elsie Arntzen and support her in bringing back classical education as well as the “Stars and Stripes” in every classroom.

—Stephanie Krueger, Billings

I build relationships with people to learn to trust them. I have done this with Senator Steve Daines for the past four years.

Steve Daines is working to hold China accountable for their role in covering up the COVID-19 outbreak. He is fighting for legislation to end our country’s reliance on Chinese manufactured medical equipment and drugs. He wants to see those jobs brought back to the United States. Daines has continued to condemn the Chinese government for restricting the human right of religious freedom.

Daines spent 28 years in the private sector building companies and creating jobs – he helped create over 500 Montana jobs (RightNow Technologies). He is continuing to fight our reliance on China with a Made in America plan and is fighting to bring our jobs home and put American workers first.

Sound like what the Democrats want you to believe? It sure doesn’t to me. I trust Steve Daines to continue to work hard for the betterment of all Americans and he has my vote. If you doubt what I am saying, you can check for yourself.

All I am asking is that you find facts as you decide who to vote for.

—Pat Earnest, Hamilton

Debo Powers is an excellent choice for Montana HD 3 in November.

First, Debo has been a community leader all of her life. Her experience began as a Congressional intern in D.C., continued as a teacher and school principal, and is evident today in her many leadership roles in the North Fork Landowners Association (NFLA), the North Fork Land Use Planning Committee, the NF Preservation Association, and many more.

Second, Debo is Montanan through and through. Her heart has been in Montana since she came to Glacier when she was 10. Living in a “claim shack” on property she bought, Debo built her off-the-grid cabin with help from friends. I know few others who embrace Montana the way she does through gardening, hiking, and floating the river. And she is excellent help spotting grouse on a hunt. She volunteers for a fire lookout, organizes square dances, and gives dance lessons at the hall.

Finally, Debo knows how to get things done. Balancing between wilderness protection and opportunities for the people of the district is priority one. She worked with a diverse group on the Whitefish Range Partnership influencing the final Flathead Forest Plan. She is on the Flathead County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) that impacts every citizen of the county. And now she is the Representative for Montana HD 3.

I worked with Debo when I was webmaster for the NFLA and she was the founder of the North Fork History Project and president. During that time I saw her give everyone a voice and use her love for Montana as a guide in all she did.

So if anyone says to that she’s not the right person for job, then show them a copy of this letter and ask them “What have you done for your fellow Montanans lately?”

—Patti Hart, Portland, Ore.

Montana governor candidate Rep. Greg Gianforte has brought high paying private sector jobs into Montana. Greg’s opponent Mike Cooney and his mentor Steve Bullock are lifelong politicians. Neither knows how to create private sector jobs. They never have. Sending Washington DC another politician to join Schumer, Pelosi, Bernie, A.O.C. and the Socialist Squad will not create jobs for Montana’s hard working families.

Montana’s choice is clear.

We can go with: more government, fewer jobs, open borders, sanctuary cities, defund the police, adopt cancel culture, ban disagreeable speech, confiscate inappropriate guns, and see how socialist governments always fail.

Or we can go with: strong borders, safe cities, support law enforcement, learn from our history, embrace freedom of speech, keep our guns and discover how entrepreneurial ingenuity will create more high paying private sector jobs. Together we can create more local employment for Montana families and our students graduating from Montana schools.

U.S. Senator Steve Daines has delivered on his promise of less government and more jobs.

This election vote Republican for JOBS JOBS JOBS.

—Edwin Johnson, Gardiner Kate Forrrest