by Christine O’Connor, Stevensville
Running for office, choosing your candidate and serving in the State Legislature have something basic in common. They all involve taking a risk. It’s a risk to step out in public and run for office. It involves long, hard hours. Campaigning means time away from family and work. Don’t discount the effect of slings and arrows from public opinion. The candidate and family pay a high price for the chance to serve.
Voters take a risk when they choose their candidate. People read, research and listen to speeches. Signs asking for votes are everywhere. How can a voter choose with confidence? Well, believe the candidate when they show you who they are. Is the candidate concerned about issues while offering logic and a plan to move forward? Or, is the candidate mucking out stalls for straw votes? Straw votes come from public opinion. Mucking and raking opinion to sling at an opponent is a risk that involves getting
down and dirty. It’s also hard work. What happens to issues and concerns from voters? Does the focus on voters’ needs wane in the excitement of mucking for opinion?
Consider Wayne Rusk. He speaks about issues and goals. He also speaks from experience. When Wayne first arrived in the State Legislature, he described it as being “dropped in a washing machine on agitate!” But, he loved it. And he wants to go back for more. As a newcomer, Wayne was given two older and seasoned roommates in Helena. He fondly says it was “like having two Dads.” They answered his questions and gave good advice. In the morning, they would eat oatmeal together before heading to their seats in the House.
Wayne’s interest in government continues to grow. He votes according to the Constitution and his constituents’ needs. Wayne knows their concerns because he makes the time to respond to his constituents’ questions.
Can you picture and feel the difference a State Senator Wayne would be?
On or before June 4th, please vote for the never-waning, no-risk Wayne Rusk.
hsabin says
Christine – I agree with you. I know Rusk, have talked to him many times and fully support what you said about him. He would make a great senator for 44.
He is also a true MONTANA MAN! He stepped up and acted like. a man. He admitted that he made a mistake when younger but that was many years ago and to every man I have spoken for the last month, all admit they did stupid things when they were young too. Quite a few said the only difference between them and Rusk is that they didn’t get caught.
Now, years later, Rusk has proven that he is a man of his word, and not only is a loving family man, a small business owner, a man who gives of himself to the community to be president of the North Valley Pachyderms, the president of the bitterroot Collaborative and a man who is willing to help out in the community, or a self-serving woman who will denigrate a fellow legislator and lie about his bill claiming it allows illegals to vote when it was the exact opposite? She and Kathy Love running for HD85, both heard Bedey explain his bill HB402 and they still lie about it to anyone who will listen and not check what they state.
Take a look at the bill written by Manzella for a lobbyist buddy, SB434: This bill is so bad that a fellow legislator asked her, Won’t this cause civil war?https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2023/BillPdf/SB0434.pdf
Another asked her, is the financial cost going to be over one million three hundred thousand dollars at your best guess? Manzella didn’t even know a financial cost document had been filed by “someone!” Another asked, isn’t this bill unconstitutional?
SD44 voters owe themselves a senator that will listen to THEM, be THEIR voice and respect the honor THEY gave a legislator when elected. to be their senator for 44. Vote carefully fellow Bitterrooters. Your choice will affect YOUR family and this valley if you choose Manzella. Please consider RUSK for Sd44. He will NOT disappoint you.