Why I want to serve as your state senator

Now that the dog days of summer are upon us, campaign season is kicking into high gear. While it seems like November is a long way off, it will be here in the blink of an eye.

Montana’s federal races will garner an understandable and significant amount of attention. However, as has always been the case, the decisions made at the state level through the Montana Legislature are at least as important, and perhaps more so, than those being made in Washington, D.C.

It’s why I want to serve as your next state senator.

The impact of our Legislature on the everyday lives of all of us — and the communities in which we live and work — is significant. From K-12 public education to critical infrastructure to rural health care to economic development to preserving our outdoor heritage, the work of the Legislature is critical in continuing to make Montana a great place to raise a family and grow a business.

The priorities of my campaign for Senate District 14 are the priorities in which I have been involved throughout my career in economic development. Rural Montana needs a strong advocate in the state Senate who has the knowledge, the passion, the energy and the tenacity to make a difference.

Whether it’s keeping our rural hospitals open, supporting proper funding for our schools, assuring the future viability of Montana State University-Northern, funding local infrastructure projects or fighting for the public’s right to access public lands, my commitment is to work tirelessly for this very special part of Big Sky Country.

My career has allowed me to help small businesses get started or expand, and to assist local governments with their infrastructure needs, including securing grant funds for water and sewer systems, bridges, senior citizen centers and other important community needs.

I now want to take this know-how and put it to work in the state Senate. I would be honored with your support. To learn more about my priorities for northern Montana, go to http://paultuss.com/.

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Paul Tuss is executive director of Bear Paw Development Corp., past president of the Montana Economic Developers Association, serves as a member of the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Evergreen Chapter of the ALS Association. He is challenging Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, in the race for Senate District 14.