Meet the candidate: Sid Daoud, Libertarian for HD-8

Sid Daoud

Party: Libertarian

Age: 55

Family: Wife KristenMarie Daoud, Son Antranik Daoud, Son Kaden Daoud, Daughter Cyan Daoud

Occupation: Senior Consultant for Summit7 Systems

Community involvement: Kalispell City Councilman; Impact Fee Advisory Council; Cancer support community volunteer; Toastmasters board member; Montana Dragan Boat Races volunteer; Pink me Up volunteer; RAD Ride committee; Glacier HS Speech and Debate judge.

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

My experiences as an Army veteran, City Councilman, personal battles helping with my mom’s mental health struggles and multiple Army buddies committing suicide, veteran issues, government local control and mental health and wellness are all important concerns for me. I will, however, start with three community issues in Helena.

1. Battling the housing crisis. Getting government out of the way and empowering community-based solutions like renting out a spare room, the introduction of classic boarding houses and encouraging local government to loosen restrictive zoning to allowing for more multi-family development. The only long-term solution is to give the free market time to recover.
2. Property tax reform. I will immediately work to address skyrocketing property taxes, restricting the number of years you must pay government for property you already own while diversifying our tax structure to include our more than 12 million visitors per year. Visitors use our infrastructure and local businesses and should be made part of our tax solution.
3. Education reform. I will introduce a bill to create Education Savings Accounts for each child in which all government funding for education will be deposited. Parents will have control of these funds and can use it for Public, Private or Home Schooling. They can also choose an a la carte mix of some or all of those options. It’s time that we involved and empowered parents to maximize their child’s education. States that have done this have seen teacher salaries increase, a reduction in school administrators and an increase in the quality and effectiveness of public education as they have to compete for good teachers and your funding.

Why are you the best choice to represent your district?

Electing the first Libertarian to State Legislature will be big news and will give the people of HD 8 the unique opportunity to be in Montana’s political spotlight, ensuring out issues are emphasized.

I will be a bridge between both warring parties, enabling this Legislature to create solutions for Montana instead of focusing on endless fighting. I have a published plan for hitting the ground running in Helena. I have shown continual investment and involvement in our amazing community.

As a current City Councilman in Kalispell, I am the only candidate with a resume that shows a successful history in government policy making. I have a principled and impeccable voting record focused on upholding your individual liberty, all accomplished while looking you, the public, square in the eye.

My opponent has none of these qualifications. In fact, it has been strange as I have yet to meet my opponent. He has been absent at every candidate forum, debate, and event this general election cycle. I have personally knocked your door, have you seen him at yours?

Vote for the candidate that has a history of showing up AND making a difference. Vote Sid Daoud.