Meet the candidate: Kyle Waterman, Democrat for SD-4

Kyle Waterman

Party: Democrat

Age: 47

Family: Proud husband of Steve Hunnell

Occupation: Former Development Officer of Intermountain Children Services and consultant for business and fundraising campaigns.

Community Service: Former City Council Member - Board member of Samaritan House and Kalico - Member of Flathead Transportation Advisory Committee, Flathead Suicide Taskforce, Daybreak Rotary and Collaborative Housing Solutions of NW Montana.

What are the top issues you would like to address in the next legislative session?

Advocating for Kalispell-centric solutions will always be my guiding principle. It is important for Kalispell to have a legislator who knows what is happening on the ground in Kalispell and can build support for solutions from Billings, Great Falls and Bozeman’s Senators. As we experience unprecedented growth, I will work for investment in infrastructure, especially improving traffic flow on Reserve for convenience, commerce and safety. Our rehab facilities, first responders and court systems need resources to keep up with the demands being put on them by the growing population. Financing mechanisms to encourage affordable housing construction within city limits so locals are not displaced by growth is paramount for individuals as well as businesses and the community as a whole.

Making sure that the State Hospital is open and that frontline workers in our behavioral health system are paid a wage that recognizes the importance of their work is a key issue. We have growth issues here that the State must recognize - historically the Flathead has been an outpost in Montana’s behavioral health system with most of the funding going to larger communities. Now our system must be invested in order to match the demands that are being placed on it – no longer should that care come through Missoula.

Finally, we need a Senator who will go to Helena and fight for Kalispell. Working with representatives from eastern Montana explaining that we are not just a tourist town, but an economic engine for the State. Kalispell not only is building a vibrant downtown, we have a thriving manufacturing sector, as well as many corporation headquarters. The value added by our workforce must be kept here - providing housing and tax solutions that allow workers, families and seniors to find housing they can afford to rent or own.

Why are you the best choice to represent your district?

Being younger and a resident of Kalispell, I understand what it is like to live and work here. I understand that families need quality childcare so that they can work. I understand that medical choices are hard to make and very personal. I understand privacy extends to my guns and my body. I see the State blocking local control and impeding entrepreneurship. In Helena I will fight to protect our freedoms and fix problems that damage the ability of people from Kalispell to build businesses, families and a bright future.

I have been involved on a local level building a better community in Kalispell for 10 years. I have worked to improve our crisis response systems for behavioral health including support for the Kalispell police, and to expand access to affordable healthcare for families. I supported strategic investment in downtown Kalispell and the Parkline as well as accessibility through sidewalks and public transportation. As a Gen Xer my approach to public service is to see opportunities rather than just problems, think outside the box for solutions and not accept no for an answer. This is what I believe Kalispell needs to keep our town fair, unique and neighborly.