Q&A with U.S. House candidate Al Olszewski

Editor’s Note: The Daily Inter Lake is republishing select answers from questionnaires completed by the candidates for U.S. House District 1 and submitted to the Montana Free Press. This is the third of seven (Libertarian candidate John Lamb and Republic candidate Mary Todd did not submit answers) to appear in print. The candidates are being published in alphabetical order by party.

Al Olszewski, 59, is a former state lawmaker and orthopedic surgeon. He grew up in Montana and is a resident of Kalispell, where he lives with his wife and family. Olszewski will appear on the ballot as “Al ‘Doc’ Olszewski.”

Before entering politics, Olszewski served 13 years in the U.S. Air Force as a surgeon beginning in the 1980s. He served three consecutive terms in the state Legislature, first as a representative in 2015 and later as a senator.

Olszewski unsuccessfully campaigned for the Republican nomination for governor in 2020 against eventual winner Greg Gianforte and former state Attorney General Tim Fox. His campaign issues include conservative immigration policies, increased election security and reducing government spending and inflation.

This biography was compiled with information from Olszewski’s campaign website and legislative archives.

Q: Polls indicate many Americans are concerned about the integrity of the nation’s democratic institutions. Both as a political candidate and as a potential member of Congress, what can you do to promote Montanans’ faith in American democracy?

A: In the Legislature, I passed the referendum to stop ballot harvesting — which was overwhelmingly approved by voters. I have always been, and will always be, an unwavering supporter of requiring photo ID to vote, ending same-day voter registration, ending ballot harvesting, and having closed primaries. Unfortunately Ryan Zinke voted not once, but twice against requiring photo ID to vote. That is a matter of permanent public record, and he cannot run from that fact. In Congress, I will stand with the House Freedom Caucus to accomplish the policies which the majority of Montanans and Americans support — starting with ensuring that states have control over the administration of their elections, not the federal government as is proposed by Nancy Pelosi.

Q: Housing costs are an increasing concern for many Montanans. What federal action would you support to promote housing affordability in Montana?

A: That is largely a state and local issue and regulatory and tax reform can help aid in that process. At the federal level we need to open up our forests to harvest the timber we need to construct homes. It is also hard to own a home when you cannot afford fuel and energy costs. This requires using Montana energy sources to provide baseload power and increase the production of oil and natural gas from our state.

Q: What do you see as the most important priorities for the management of federal lands in Montana? Should the federal government consider transferring some federally held land into state ownership?

A: The federal government has failed Montana in properly managing federal lands in our state. This has led to catastrophic wildfires that destroy our clean air, pure water, and abundant wildlife. They have forced Montanans off public lands by blocking off our access to over 20,000 miles of public access roads and crippled “Made in Montana” responsible natural resource production. As a state senator, I supported the Public Access to Lands Act and will support state control and greater access to Montana’s public lands for all Montanans. Montanans know how to best manage public land, natural resources, and wildlife — not federal bureaucrats.

Q: In the event Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, would you support federal legislation that either guarantees abortion access or that, alternatively, establishes legal protections for life beginning at conception? What specific provisions would you like to see included in future federal abortion law?

A: Life begins at conception. I will always protect life from conception to natural death. As a freshman legislator, Ryan Zinke voted nearly 70% of the time with the pro-abortion group NARAL. Unlike Ryan Zinke, my voting record shows I have supported life and opposed abortion 100% of the time.

Q: Do you believe Joe Biden was legitimately elected president in 2020?

A: No.

The Montana Free Press is a nonprofit newsroom based in Helena. To see the questionnaire in full, go to: https://apps.montanafreepress.org/election-guide-2022/.

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Age: 59

Occupation: Former orthopedic surgeon

Party: Republican