Dems speak at Hillery-Hagener fundraising dinner

Local Democrats spoke to a crowd of around 50 people at the Eagles Club during the Hill County Democrats Pam Hillery-Toni Hagener Dinner Tuesday.

Sharla Tester, wife of U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., spoke on the senator's behalf, said that they are campaigning for lower cost of health care and to insure that Social Security and medicare are there for when people need it. Sen. Tester also will focus on economic issues and invest in education, Sharla Tester said.

She added that this election will be a fight and that his opponents may speak badly of her husband in the media, but he will let the records speak for themselves. Jon Tester has always focused on veterans and working families, Sharla Tester said, and even under the Trump administration Congress has passed 13 of his bills since Trump was elected, with one of them passing that day.

"It's not about politics with Jon," she added, "It's about Montana. He will work with anyone either party, if its good for Montana."

She said this election will take a lot of "shoe leather" and that supporters all need to work together.

With the primaries being two weeks away she all should "be ready to put our differences aside to work together," Tester said, investing in infrastructure, education and to keep "public lands in public hands."

Tester closed with saying they look forward to the primary but that people need to support whoever wins in the primaries in the congressional race.

Havre City Clerk and Finance Director Doug Kaercher, a former Hill County Commissioner and Havre City Council member, spoke at the dinner in regards about his campaign for Public Service Commissioner.

Kearcher his his background in the offices he has held over the years and his experiences needed to do this job effectively believing that he can make a difference.

"It's current condition right now actually operates a little bit on an adversarial basis with the industry," Kaercher said.

He said he personally would rather collaborate with the industry to generate a positive environment for Montana.

He continued with saying the PSC is dealing with several issues, one of them being renewable resources, "but there is a point there that we really need all of those resources," Kaercher said.

"We can't turn the Public Service Commission blue, but we can certainly turn it purple," Kaercher said, adding to do that he needs he help of the people.

Paul Tuss, state Senate candidate and executive director for Bear Paw Development Corp., made a brief appearance during the dinner, leaving early to be with his family, but addressed the audience about his campaign.

He began by describing the main issues he is focusing on during his campaign: economic development, community development and higher education.

Tuss said he wants to make these top priorities within Montana.

It's "crazy to me that there should even be a partisan difference when it comes to educating our kids. It's crazy to me that there should be a partisan difference when it comes to increasing our infrastructure.," he added.

During the last seven years he has spent on the Montana Board of Regents the board has done a great job at keeping higher education accessible and affordable in this state, he said. Tuss also added that he will support the six mill levy that is appearing on the ballot this fall to help fund Montana's universities.

Jacob Bachmeier, along with other members of the Democratic party at the dinner, spoke in remembrance of Pam Hillery and Toni Hagener.

Hagener was a Hill County commissioner and then served in the state Legislature and was extremely busy as a volunteer and active community member.

Hillery served on the Havre City Council - returning to serve on an empty seat after she previously retired while battling ALS - and also was extremely active in the community.

People shared stories and kind words about how the two influenced their lives.

Bachmeier said that during his senior year of high school he would have never run without the encouragement that he had received from Hillery. Bachmeier said he had known Hillery since he was a young boy and he reflected on the conversations they had shared since then.

During his campaign two years ago, Bachmeier said, in the beginning he felt discouraged with his age playing a role in how the public would vote. He ran into Hillery in passing, and Hillery said, "Jacob you've got fire in your belly, you have to do this."

Bachmeier was elected as the youngest legislator in the nation - he had to wait until his 18th birthday several days after candidate filing opened to file as a candidate. He said he now is a senior member of the delegation.

"I may be a junior in age but a senior in legislative experience," Bachmeier added.

Master of Ceremony Nancy Keenan also shared memories of Hillery and Hagener, calling them "two of the bright and shining stars in the galaxy of Montana Democrats in the state."

Keenan told everyone that the most important thing they can do to show support for their party is to "remember it's all about showing up."

Montana Actor's Theatre members Pam Vies and Darcy Zook performed a play written by Martin Holt about Montana's Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress.

Rankin was an advocate for women's rights and labor rights, in addition to many other things,.

The play depicted an interview between Rankin and a reporter. They discussed her congressional terms and her activity outside of public office. The actors and the play received two standing ovations.