Support for Cleveland

by Lea Bossler, Florence

My grandfathers both served in WWII to end the spread of fascist cruelty and Nazi racism, punctuated with atomic bombs and “Never Again.” This isn’t just history to me. A third of my DNA is Ashkenazi Jewish, from Eastern Ukraine. Yet here we are, again, in our own country. 

Given that our Secretary of State does their job, every registered voter in Montana will receive an envelope with multiple ballots for the June 2nd Primary. One ballot of choice is marked, returned, and tabulated. Montana’s open primary is a product of our rich and powerful history as a purple state. Condolences to anyone who moved here thinking otherwise.  

When party labels are dismissed, a candidate’s life experiences, demeanor, ability to set and complete smart goals, and inherent skills are the measures to determine suitability for that specific seat. There is one candidate for Montana’s Western Congressional District who easily rises above the rest, including the incumbent: Russell Cleveland. 

The harsh reality of 2026 is that so many campaign promises, like Public Lands and Unions, become empty in a Constitutional crisis. Without removing party politics and big money’s grip on our government, and ensuring baseline health care and wellbeing for all, we have no ability to make progress on any other issues. Clearly. We currently can’t. 

We have the opportunity to replace an abuser-protecting politician willfully lining the pockets of the 1%, with a person whose entire life represents the 99%. We can swap a Veteran who disregards his own oaths of service, with one who speaks at Veterans marches about upholding oaths of service. 

Every other candidate seeking Ryan Zinke’s seat has a fitting role ahead: a second run for our next Governor and protector of our State

Constitution; a lobbyist and firefighter who is ideal for a State Legislator; and a rancher whose home districts need him. 

We The People must all choose an authentic person over a party, in both June and November. No ego is worth enabling fascism to replace democracy. Join me in choosing Russ to represent Western Montana in D.C. in these challenging times.