by Mark Heyka, Missoula
When I heard Sam Forstag, a candidate for Montana’s western Congressional district, speak for the first time, I quickly sensed he was the leader Montana needs. Because from the moment Sam walked on stage in Missoula, the energy shifted. Sam described so articulately how rich politicians were trying to make working people everywhere feel overwhelmed and hopeless. Sam’s words resonated deeply.
Sam reminded us, “We’re not scared, or hopeless, we’re mad! And we’re ready to get to work doing something about it,” thousands of young people were on their feet, stamping and hollering like I can’t remember seeing at any political event in recent memory.
I took a friend to hear Sam speak recently. She left quite impressed. My friend says it best; he reminded her of JFK! I agree wholeheartedly! Here is the list of adjectives that I complied to describe Sam: energetic, passionate, compassionate, empathetic and a sincere lover of Montana.
He was a smokejumper, a union leader and has the support of 32 Montana legislators, including 4 republicans. He is the only one that has lived very recently as a working-class Montanan.
For those of us who want a Democrat to win in Montana this November, we can’t try the same kind of candidates who keep losing again and again. We need someone who brings genuine energy, real experience, and big ideas—and that person is Sam Forstag.
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