Letters to the editor March 18

Supreme Court candidates

In Montana, we have the opportunity to vote for Justices in hopes of electing a fair and impartial State Supreme Court; At least, that’s the intention. The challenge is that many Montanans don’t have enough information about who is running because so much attention is being placed on the Senate and Congressional races. My hope is that you will go to events and learn the beliefs of each justice.

For me, Cory Swanson is the best choice for Chief Justice. He has a great track record that shows his commitment to law and order in Broadwater County. For a decade, Cory has shown that facts and truth prevail in his mind, not politics or personal opinions. Believe me, I bet there are things that we may politically disagree on at times. However, I trust Cory when he says that politics (conservative or liberal)  “undermine the functioning of the court.” Every justice is going to have political opinions, but a good justice will “set politics aside and rule strictly on the facts and the law of each case” to do what is best for all Montanans

I encourage everyone to take the time to speak to our Supreme Court candidates. If we don’t elect the right people to protect the judicial branch, we set a precedent of allowing politics to determine what is fact versus fiction — and that is just plain wrong.

— Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, R- Kalispell

Montana wilderness

I moved to northwestern Montana in 2021 and I have found so much mental and physical healing from the beauty of this wilderness. Living in the country outside of Whitefish has brought my family and I closer to the nature that Montana provides us, freely.

The Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act proposed by Sen. Steve Daines would reduce protection of Montana’s Wilderness Study Areas. This lack of protection will make these Wilderness Study Areas vulnerable to destruction by timber harvest and developments.

This bill would reduce wilderness habitat and animal populations that support most of Montanans’ way of life. It would also affect Montanans’ mental and physical well-being.

If Daines wants to support Montanans and help Montana to grow, then retracting this bill will do.

— Cassidy Hayes, Kalispell

Trump’s dilemma

Donald Trump is facing a dilemma.  

During the next few months, he will be spending many days in and out of courtrooms, facing around 91 felony charges. If convicted by a jury of just one of these charges, he could be sentenced to prison. Of course, he will appeal but his appeal likely will not be finalized until after the election.  

Here is his dilemma: If he wins, he has said he will pardon himself (which may or may not be legal). But if he loses, he cannot expect a Democratic president to pardon him and he may have to serve prison time.  

However, if he withdraws from the race following a conviction and throws his support to another Republican, say Nikki Haley, and that candidate wins, he can expect to be pardoned and will not serve any time in prison. It will be a difficult choice for Donald Trump, but a decision he will not need to make until, and if, he is convicted of a felony charge.  

— Jim Swab, Kalispell