by Helen Sabin, Corvallis
Here’s the setting: A couple of weeks ago, two self-important politicos roll into the Corvallis Firehouse—Attorney General Knudsen and Rep. Kathy Love—ready to “address the public.” But here’s the twist… the actual public wasn’t invited.
Instead, it was a cozy little gathering for the county’s “chosen ones”—a few commissioners, a couple sheriff’s department reps, and maybe a stray intern or two. Total audience? About 25. Yup, 25.
That’s who Knudsen drove four hours from Helena to impress. Must’ve been a slow day at the Capitol… or maybe someone just needed a fresh photo for campaign mailers.
(Maybe he was invited to Senator Theresa Manzella’s house for a gathering later that day too? You know…hangout with other elites?)
A few local citizens caught wind of the hush-hush event and showed up uninvited—how rude of them to think public officials should meet with, well, the public. The question buzzing around the room: Why was Knudsen here? Simple. Photo op. Smile, wave, and drive home.
And then there’s Rep. Kathy Love, who was recently called out by Americans for Prosperity for claiming to represent HD85 while voting against funding public schools—including the ones in her own district.
Her defense? She “held the line” on taxes. Translation: she blocked efforts to fix Corvallis’s crumbling school infrastructure while congratulating herself for it. Bold move.
And now she is running for the senate? Watching Kathy Love leap from the Montana House to the State Senate is like watching someone hop from a sinking rowboat onto a rickety yacht. It didn’t take her long to learn how to engage in a self-serving effort since 2024.
She hasn’t served anyone or even the Corvallis school district that could have used her help so they didn’t have to beg for funds to repair their kitchen and feed kids.
Did Rep. Love ever stop by the schools in her district to ask the superintendents how things were going? Not that anyone’s heard. But hey, she’s got great photos with commissioners and a head full of excuses.
Keep smiling for the cameras, Kathy. The district’s still waiting for results.
Kevin says
I heard that Attorney General Knudsen and Rep. Kathy Love brought an “Auto Pen” to the meeting. I think it may have run out of ink. Kathy and Austin, keep up the great work!!
WMA says
Why do Republicans keep electing terrible lawmakers like Love and Ellsworth? Don’t forget Manzella.
helen sabin says
Ellsworth isn’t bad – he made a judgement call and did NOTHING ILLEGAL, but his fault was that he did’t kow tow to the senate leader and do as told and how to vote. He was stabbed in the back by Matt Regier who did spend taxpayer money on a private attorney and his fancy new office with new furniture and a big screen smart board but he was left off the hook due to his name and family influence. Ellsworth has helped the GOP Bitterrooters many times, and the senate did NOT want to vote to oust him but the “freedom caucus” and the senate leader warned them they would be primaried in the next election if they didn’t vote as told. The Montana free press article explain the difference between Ellsworth actions versus those of regier.
Mark says
So tired of both sides. Clowns on the left and Jokers on the right. What happened
to common sense ? Take care of the real problems instead of dredging up all
the imaginary ones. What an embarrassment to our voting district.
hsabin says
AMEN!