by Marc L Sabin, ScD, Corvallis
Running for House District 88 in Stevensville/Florence are two Conservative businessmen: Wayne Rusk and Alan Lackey. Therein lies the problem: both are running for the same office. Instead of competing for separate offices and maximizing the GOP footprint in this conservative county, they and their supporters are competing against each other.
Both are family men, have business backgrounds, are very active in the Ravalli County GOP, and either will do a great job for their constituents in District 88. Most conservatives will subsequently support whoever wins the primary in the general election, but the loser will have lost the chance to occupy another office elsewhere in the county, to the overall detriment of the valley in the future.
The campaign between them is getting strident and negative. The better candidate to send to Helena is not immediately obvious and voters will have to choose between men advocating similar conservative principles. Though both are strong conservatives with strong convictions they do not see eye to eye on the tactics necessary for these dangerous times in which we find ourselves. Therein is a distinction.
WAYNE RUSK, is a 5th generation Montana family man with kids in our schools and an accomplished wife who works outside the home to help pay for upcoming college costs. One of his children graduated from a local high school in 2021 and the other is sophomore. Rusk is a self-employed businessman who does tile work. His objective is to protect the freedoms and serve the interests of constituents in HD88.
Wayne is a conservative through and through. He supports the Bitterroot Community College District approved by voters in 2020, but believes that the proposed levy of 9.75 mills for that district funding is unwise and not supportable. It should be turned down in the April 15 election. An important negative is that the levy is permanent, and taxpaying voters will not be able to vote “no” on future increases in college expenditures and in the levy amount paid by property owners via their property taxes. Taxpayers will have lost control and become subject to taxation without representation.
Alan Lackey is also a strong, committed conservative. His wife Terri also works outside the home. He and Terri have a very organized and focused campaign advocating their positions on the issues. They recognized the egregious overreach of the government early in the COVID pandemic and created the Stand for Liberty group that has become a very proactive voice for the community. Former business owners, they are very aware of tax issues, including the effort to place on the November ballot CI-121, changing the Montana Constitution regarding how real property will be taxed in the future. While Alan recognizes the need to address property tax increases for residents of the valley, he also recognizes the risks and uncertainties created in the current initiative document and does not support placing it on a ballot unless and until these deficiencies are properly addressed.
What are voters to do on Election Day when faced by two very able, very committed and very thoughtful conservative candidates?
Consider the following suggestions for voters in HD 88:
1. DO NOT LISTEN to the “smears, innuendo, and lies” being spread about both candidates. Alan Lackey is NOT a right-wing extremist seeking to do harm. Wayne Rusk is NOT an unprincipled moderate who will vote with the Democrats.
2. My wife and I have listened to them both as they discussed issues extensively. They are conservative, though each has their own approach and style. Listen to what they say and what they do, not the unsubstantiated negative comments from others. Ask them questions about your concerns. Each is forthcoming.
3. Meet these men and make your own judgments. Then consider which candidate you support and then advocate for him. Make sure you vote. Don’t listen to those who would misguide you.