Bitterroot Star

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To the voters of Ravalli County

by

by Representative Wayne Rusk, House District 88

It has been an honor to serve as your Representative in Helena this past session, and I am today announcing my candidacy for Senate District 44, which will continue to include the communities I currently represent.

As our politics have become increasingly polarized, I have consistently struck for common ground—and found it. In the legislature

I remained steadfastly conservative and Constitutional amid the seductions of extremism and the pressures of partisanship—no matter what the scorecards of special interests groups are saying.

So come next June (the 2024 primary), voters will have a chance to trade politics as usual for someone who has and who will stand up—to either side—when party politics offer to undermine the public good.

In the coming months I will make myself available to hear your thoughts on the subjects that most concern us as Americans, and together may we continue to unite the conservative community of Ravalli County—and beyond.

 

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  1. Marc Cooke says

    I have served with Wayne on the Ravalli County Collaborative for approximately four years or so. Wayne and I have been polar opposite on several issues before us. That said, Wayne is not an extremist and searches for common ground. Using conservative value and conservative common sense.

    Having spent over 60 days in Helena during the last legislative session afforded me the opportunity watching Wayne and Teresa Manzella. Extreme hate, extreme control and extreme positions that hurt average Montanans. While Rep. Rusk was engaging, committed to Bitterrooters with old fashioned Lincoln, Regan conservative values. I am happy to learn Rep. Rusk with our help will soon be Senator Rusk. It’s time to remove the extreme hate currently representing us in Helena. And replace it with a true, real conservative.

  3. Hobo Hilton says

    Seems the only time we hear from our elected officials is when they are seeking re-election.

    • Helen sabin says

      Hey hobo, have you ever contacted your legislator? I’ve called Wayne Rusk many times and asked him questions and expressed concerns. Did you? Do you read the Bitterroot Star that has articles in it from Jason Ellsworth for example? I think the pot is calling the kettle black.

      • Hobo Hilton says

        Helen,
        I read the Bitterroot Star often enough to reply to you in a “timely manner”.
        I have sat with my elected officials while a Legislature is in session.
        I am still waiting for replies from my US Senator and US Representative.
        I followed Ellsworth up until this point:
        Montana Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, has been charged with three misdemeanors, including obstruction of a peace officer, after he was pulled over for speeding in a construction zone in May. The officer reported a verbal altercation with Ellsworth in which the senator claimed he was exempt from arrest because he was a lawmaker traveling for legislative business.

        That told me enough about a man’s character.

        I think you are “baiting” me in an effort to draw attention to your agenda.

        Have a good evening.

        Hobo

        • hsabin says

          HOBO – you make me laugh. I have no agenda except for loving my country and my family. I put them first and foremost.

          I bet if I checked into your past it wouldn’t be perfect or close to it – am I right? switch places with him – then consider have YOU never speeded? have you never gone through a yellow light? Hmmm?

          I don’t blame you for waiting for replies from our congress critters – but I wonder if you sent them to the correct place to get a reply? I have received replies from them and though they are “form” letters that don’t address a matter, at least they are aware of what I wrote them about. If it’s really important I write them again or call.

          I know three of the legislators from the valley always respond in a timely manner at least they have to me. Bedey, Rusk and Brinkley have always contacted me as soon as they can.
          I have to share a story with you in this regard….I had a question about a matter and sent it to my state rep, Michele Binkley. My parting words were…plese reply as soon as you can. The next morning at 3 a.m. I got a call from her – she apologized about the late/or early hour but had just gotten back to her hotel room and saw my message. She said she wanted to reply ASAP as she had to be up at 6 a.m. to get breakfast and then get to a pre-committee short meeting before the legislature started operating at 8 a.m. Now that is doing what I requested – hahahaha.

          Do you know that many times the legislators meet in committees or strategy sessions until the wee hours of the morning? then they have to be at work at 8 a.m. and check in? Now consider that congress critters have thousands of people that they represent. though they have staff, the amount of calls and etc are HUGE. Michele brought in a sample of just the phone calls she got last session…it was about four inches thick to show at a pachyderm meeting – so walk a mile in their shoes and you will learn not to be judgmental on one issue.!
          But what you can do is volunteer to work in the local offices and help out – or just wait for a reply. It’s up to you. BUT…I like Jason Ellsworth and since I am not perfect myself will vote again for his imperfect self. Now if he does something awful like beat up his wife or kids, kid the dog or steal or etc then he will feel my wrath. He learned his lesson I am sure so I will let the good lord judge him at his time and place of choosing. being stopped by the wonder LEOs we have in the state so I am not going to judge him based on one incident. I hope you don’t either.

  4. John Grant says

    Conservatism is one thing………and is not exclusive. Extremism is exclusive……just like Fascism. The John Birch Society is conspiratorial, exclusionary and extremist.
    Thank you Wayne. If they can’t follow your lead to actual governance, ignore them..
    Montanans want good governance for all, not fractious, name calling obstructionists.

    • Helen Sabin says

      Amen John! Well said! We have elected a bunch of extremists, those who think none of us rise to their standards of righteousness, such as Lola, Sheldon, Galloway, and Theresa Manzella. I prefer to have someone who cares about the people and does not try to legislate our morality. That someone is Wayne Rusk, Michele Binkley, a David Bedey. that someone is Wayne Rusk, Michele Binkley, an David Bedey these are the three we should reelect come election time

  5. helen and marc sabin says

    Congrats Wayne! We expect great things out of you! I know you will put your constituents needs first when it comes to the legislation in 2025.

  6. Steve Hall says

    Congratulation on your decision! You have my full support and unseating the current senator might bring mainstream conservatives out of their silence and unthrone the Queen of bigger federal government, Theresa Manzella who bullies her way through the republican system

  7. Marie Hill says

    WOO HOO! Good for you Wayne! We will finally have a choice between a true conservative and one who tries to be a petty tyrant ordering others through the legislature to do what SHE wants, not what the voters and constituents in SD44 want. Her voting record shows this tyrannical bent.

    Voters need to check the plethora of bills that Manzella wrote that most in the different legislative committees voted against as being unconstitutional or tyrannical such as HD 417. – Making Montana a sanctuary state. She is PRO-illegal immigration! She voted YES on 416, then NO on 417. Playing games isn’t she?

    You can read them at leg.mt.gov. Also notice how often Manzella votes WITH the DEMOCRATS! They are NOT conservative so why is she supporting them rather than our own other Bitterroot valley Republicans?

    • Kathy Love says

      The bills that you referenced are not even about what you say they’re about. I suppose that Rep Rusk being a co-sponsor on HB 402 that would allow unverified citizens to vote is OK though.

  9. Mike Sutton says

    Hey Wayne, glad to hear you are you are planning on remaining constitutional… can you please explain what you meant by “the seductions of extremism”?