by Carrie Rusk, Corvallis
My name is Carrie and as some of you readers may know, my husband Wayne Rusk is running as a constitutional conservative Republican for House District 88. He has gained lots of support and received many generous donations from the wonderful people in the valley. So because of this, I was confused when my mother, who lives in Missoula and cannot even vote in HD 88, read me a letter written on State Senate stationary trying to convince her who to vote for. Why would my mom get this letter? She got it because Senator Manzella got her name, and the names of all the kind and generous people that support my husband, off the campaign filing report. This was not a random political mailer, it was calculated to target financial supporters of Wayne Rusk. She sent them all letters to try to change their minds. Yes, the report is public record, but no, I do not believe this to be ethical in any way. People should be able to support the candidate of their choice without fear of being harassed for doing so. This is an election between two candidates…NOT two against one. It’s unbelievable that in a free country, where discerning minds can think for themselves and make their own intelligent decisions, that an elected state senator would dare take people’s names and addresses off a COPP campaign finance report and send them letters to try to convince them to NOT vote for the candidate that they already financially supported!! Theresa Manzella, you have highly insulted the people of HD 88 and beyond. Many of the people you have offended have probably voted for you in past elections. Wayne and I have both supported you in the past. But now in your arrogance you choose to insult their decision making skills in a campaign that YOU are not even running in! I think it is your decision making that needs to be called into question. Thank you to all the people who support my husband Wayne Rusk’s candidacy. We appreciate you all.
Melva and Steven Neal says
Thank you, Carrie this is a great letter. We are behind Wayne 100%.
Bridget Dolan says
Eating each other. Pass the popcorn!
Gomez says
Exactly. In an effort to out conservative” one another, they have greased the skids to quicker reach the bottom.
Helen Sabin says
One great thing about our election system if voters would wake up and think about it, is the need to be able to REMOVE politicians who do NOT represent our values. Politicians often yell and scream that they are the stronger conservative, but it is their actions when in the state legislature that speak the loudest.
Two good men are running for political office in Stevensville. The voters must make a choice and it is coming up soon. Read what each of these men has said and then make a decision.
I know both and would feel comfortable with electing either one if I lived in that district. They are GOOD MEN! One is a family man with children in the schools, and one started a group that is concerned with liberty in the county. Both are or have been businessmen and both want the best for the area they represent.
But that said, if the chosen candidate doesn’t perform – let’s vote him out. Keep the statements they made and in two years when elections come up – check their performances. Let them know what you are thinking. Stay on top of them and if they don’t perform or have “LIED” about their true conservatism, vote them out. YOU have the power to choose – choose wisely.