Vote in Primary to be represented

by Margaret Gorski, Stevensville

Everyone in Ravalli County knows that practically all our elected officials in the valley are not only Republican, but increasingly extreme right-wing Republicans.  We also know that since it’s very difficult for a Democrat to win the General Election, whoever wins the Republican Primary will become our Representative or Senator.  The strategy that the extreme segment of the Ravalli County Republican Party has been using to increase the odds that their candidate wins is by making sure there are multiple candidates in the primary to split the vote among more moderate candidates.

This is the case in the Senate District 44 race. Although there is no real Democrat running in this race, there is a Democrat listed on the ballot. No Democrat in the valley recognizes him and we have no idea where he came from. Similarly, Brad Davis, a Republican, says he’s running against Manzella, but is really attempting to take votes from Wayne Rusk. His Facebook page pays homage to his great, great grandad, George Washington, Myles Standish, and George Armstong Custer, but I don’t know what he stands for other than wanting to make sure his hobby of trapping is enshrined and protected by amending the Constitution (a right that is already assured in our State Constitution, by the way).  Having a third Republican and a phony Democrat in the primary is a desperate move on Manzella’s part to split the vote because, in my opinion, she can’t win on her merits (if she has any). It is very clear what she is against, but, based on her track record, I’m hard pressed to find evidence about what she is actually for. 

What I do know is, if she wins the primary and the general election, she won’t be representing me. Her record strongly suggests that she has little interest in representing all the residents of her district, working on solving problems that make everyone’s lives’ better or protecting the Montana that we love. 

Governing is not campaigning. Governing is not bullying those with whom you disagree. Governing means understanding the issues in the district and across the State and being thoughtful about the long-term consequences of the legislation one sponsors or helps to enact. It shouldn’t be about winning one for the Party, furthering one’s own agenda, or punishing those with whom you disagree. 

Please, when you vote in the upcoming Primary, vote for the candidate who will listen to and represent all the residents in their district and make a difference for all Montanans. Republicans continually remind everyone that we don’t have a Democracy, but that we have a Representative Republic. If you want to be fairly represented, study and evaluate the candidates and vote accordingly. How well you are represented in Helena depends on it.