Letters to the editor May 19
Conservative endorsements
Voting is our opportunity to keep our freedom and make sure our government is fiscally responsible. Our county and state balance their budgets, but the federal government is running on borrowed money. It would have been great if Sen. Jon Tester would have led an effort to stop the crazy spending rather than adding to it. Tim Sheehy is my choice.
I endorse Tanner Smith for governor because he has enthusiasm and ideas on how to redo our property taxes so that people do not lose their homes or water rights out of the Flathead River. Randy Brodehl, who is doing an excellent job as Flathead County Commissioner, is running for another term. He is working with Rep. Ryan Zinke who I endorse for his work on Glacier Park and water rights.
I endorse Austin Knudsen for attorney general; Jerry O’Neil or Dan Wilson for state Supreme Court No. 3; Cory Swanson for chief justice; Eric Hummel for Flathead County district judge; Sharyl Allen for superintendent of public instruction; Cristi Jacobsen for secretary of state; and Jim Brown for state auditor.
True conservatives believe the proper role of government is to be fiscally responsible and provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be done locally. Each person’s freedom, dignity, ability and morals must be honored. The budget must be balanced.
In the state Senate, three positions are open. I endorse Doug Adams for SD 2, Carl Glimm for SD 3, and Matt Regier for SD 5.
In the state House, 10 positions are open. I endorse Cathy Mitchell for HD 3, Lyn Bennett for HD 4, Braxton Mitchell for HD 5, Amy Regier for HD 6, Shaun Pandina for HD 7, Lukas Schubert for HD8, Steve Kelly for HD 9, Terry Falk for HD 10, Edward Byrne for HD 11, and Tracy Sharp for HD 12.
It is critical that this election produces principled conservatives to streamline our government and boost our economy without wasting any money or raising taxes.
— Verdell Jackson, Kalispell
Personal sacrifice
Dear citizens of this state and country. It’s voting time and there are some great candidates out there that will serve our needs and fight for the things we believe in and need.
Please take the time to research the candidates that effectively represent the values you believe in and will do the best job for this community. Remember these candidates are representing you as an individual and the area they represent. I’d also like to take a moment to thank each and every candidate that has stepped up and made the personal sacrifice to represent us.
The personal sacrifice of their time, their money and commitment to working for us is something that needs to be recognized. Do your research and vote please. Good luck to all of the candidates.
— Bill Miles, Kalispell
Tracy has ‘can-do’ spirit
As a reluctant spouse-of-a-candidate, Rob Tracy HD11, I realized early on that it wasn’t about me. It was about Rob’s willingness to run for office and that he is hard-wired to serve in whatever capacity he finds himself. Whether it’s in his work, his community, his neighborhood, friends or family, Rob seeks out ways to serve others.
I have watched Rob in a myriad of jobs and volunteer positions over the years and with each endeavor have found myself saying, “I can’t think of anyone better suited for...(whatever he had taken on) than Rob.”
Rob has boundless energy, amazing analytical skills and common-sense solutions to whatever the issue might be. Whether it was juggling school buses, kids, drivers, schedules and field trips, coming up with ideas to improve services and/or infrastructure, seeing potential in people to do more than even they realize and, not infrequently, offering ways to tackle problems in government, Rob doesn’t just talk about things, he volunteers to make things happen and/or he brings people together who can get the job done.
Rob spends everyone’s money as if it were his own, as evidenced in his tenure as transportation director for Bigfork Schools. Rob would consistently come in under budget. He assisted in writing grants for purchases of new buses and safety equipment for the Fire Department, as well as, helping to raise money for unfunded school sports.
Rob has a wide range of experience, a passion for people and wisdom that is sorely lacking in many of our leaders today. With Rob’s “can-do” spirit, a vote for Rob Tracy HD11 on June 4, is not a vote wasted, it is a vote for a positive investment in the people and the future of the great state of Montana.
— Kathryn Berg, Bigfork
Regier a top conservative
Speaker Matthew Regier is running for Senate District 5. He has my vote and unwavering support, and I ask that you consider voting with me by marking your ballot for Matt Regier.
His consistent conservative leadership and excellent voting record over his eight years in the House of Representatives define him as an excellent leader, and he is the only experienced candidate in this race.
Matt is ranked in the top three conservative candidates by Legistats, a conservative Montana-based group that reviews the votes of Montana state legislators. He is always approachable, willing to listen, and provides valuable insight regarding local and state issues.
Please vote for Matthew Regier, Senate District 5.
— Flathead County Commissioner Randy Brodehl
Lockwood seeks solutions
The Flathead County commissioners serve for six years and in the next six years we will be dealing with some big issues — not only housing and homelessness, but traffic and transportation, over-visitation, and potential natural disasters such as fires and extreme weather, as well as water safety and the building of our infrastructure.
It would be wonderful to have a county commissioner who understands the issues that the cities are facing and would work more cooperatively to get things done.
For that reason I encourage you to vote for Jim Lockwood for the Flathead County Commission. Most people know him as the prior president of the WAG Dog Park, which was ranked one of the 10 best dog parks in the nation under his tenure.
Before he retired he had a distinguished career as an attorney who drafted and negotiated infrastructure projects servicing local and state governments. He is Montana born. A war hero (Vietnam. U.S. Army combat engineer. Two Bronze Stars, one for heroism in saving a soldier’s life under heavy fire). A father and grandfather. He is intelligent, well-educated, compassionate and hard working.
Please support Jim Lockwood for Flathead County Commission for effective, solutions-oriented leadership.
— Rebecca Norton, Whitefish
Bowen for clerk
I’m a former District Court judge. I know how important clerks of court are. The position is often overlooked, and they labor in shadows, but for many Montanans the clerk of court is their main entryway into the justice system.
I’m endorsing Bowen Greenwood for reelection as clerk of the Montana Supreme Court. Bowen’s first term as clerk has been a remarkable success, with new initiatives to make the court more open to the people of Montana, and new ways our fellow citizens can see what their court is doing. Transparency is the best way to run a government, and Bowen’s attempts to open the court up to public view are a huge leap forward.
Bowen Greenwood has run his office under budget every single year since he’s been in office. He’s a genuine conservative in the judiciary, one to whom anyone can come knowing they’ll be fairly treated and get the full information.
In the Republican primary on June 4, I’ll be voting to reelect Bowen Greenwood as Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court. Please join me.
— Nels Swandal, Livingston