Nelson, Kassmier campaign for seat in House District 27: Joshua Kassmier, Republican

Republican Joshua Kassmier is facing off against Democrat Dan Nelson, both from Fort Benton, in the November election for the seat in Montana House District 27, a seat previously held by Rep. Jim O'Hara, R-Fort Benton.

O'Hara did not run for re-election to the seat, instead aiming to go back to his former seat on the Chouteau County Commission. He lost to incumbent Republican Robert Pasha in the primary in June.

Kassmier, 37, said he was born and raised in Fort Benton, attending Fort Benton High School and graduating in 2000. After high school, he said, he went to Washington, D.C., for an internship in the offices of U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., who lost his bid for re-election in 2006 and died in 2016.

Kassmier said he returned to Montana that fall and attended Carroll College in Helena, where he received a bachelor's degree in political science and an associate degree in public administration in 2004. He added that while in school he also worked in Burns' office in Helena as well as volunteering for his campaign for re-election during that time.

Since then he has worked for Crop Risk Services as a farm crop adjuster and travels all across the state and occasionally Wyoming. He has been married six years to his wife, Chelsey Kassmie,r and has three children, Coralynn, Banks and Regina.

Kassmier said he also ran for the position of mayor for Fort Benton in 2017, where he lost by three votes.

He said he coaches youth soccer and wrestling. He added he is also a member of Chouteau County Search and Rescue and sits on the National Crop Insurance Services Committee.

"I appreciate all the support I have received," he said. "If elected I will always work hard and do what's right for Montana."

Kassmier said he is the best candidate because he is willing to work with anyone on both sides of the party line and listen to what each side has to offer before making a decision. He added that he is and always has been a hard worker.

"I believe I have a strong background. I've been involved in politics, I understand politics," he said. "I will always read the bill ... listen to everybody before I vote, always willing to listen and consider and bring a common-sense approach to government."

He said he has always paid attention to politics, his degree providing some insight into the system. He thought it was the right time to run for office, Kassmier added. The political environment in the country has made it important that people get involved, he added.

"Be part of the solution, not part of the problem," he said. "I've got three kids, and I want to make sure that they have the same opportunities as I did when I was growing up."

Kassmier said he thinks that he can work well with everybody in the government.

He said  for the next legislative session, one of the biggest things that needs to be worked on is the budget projections.

The shortfall in the last session was caused by both parties not working together and making unnecessary changes, he said.

Kassmier said the Legislature needs to work together to create an accurate budget because inaccurate budgets only hurt the people in the state.

Kassmier said budgets are always a big issue because they are for two years and the Legislature only has 90 days to figure it out.

"Make sure it's sound, make sure it works," he said.

He added what he sees as the biggest issues the Legislature will face in the next session, besides the budget, will be Medicaid expansion and infrastructure. The state is in desperate need of an infrastructure bill to pass he said.

Kassmier said the state is primarily funded by income and property taxes and it is important to use that money for the programs that are needed, adding people always hear the main problem with infrastructure, roads and schools don't have enough funding.

Montana Legislature tried to pass a bill in past sessions, he said, the bill being voted down due to it being based on bonding. Funding will grow once economy grows, broadening the tax base and with a proper budget that can go toward state projects, he said.

He said he also wants to promote small businesses in the state. If people want to grow their economy, small businesses should be the foundation, Kassmier said.

Medicaid is a hot topic for the next legislative session, Kassmier said, adding he believes there should be a work requirement put into place within the program.

"Any able-bodied person should have a job to receive benefits," he said.