Tester stumps at Havre Pasma-Peck Dinner

More than 90 people attended the annual Pasma-Peck Dinner Sunday at Montana State University-Northern, a dinner named after two legendary Havre Democrats, "Mr. Democrat" Jim Pasma and Rep. Ray Peck.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., headlined the speakers at the event.

Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, who is running against independent candidate Bob Sivertsen and Libertarian Conor Burns, was the master of ceremony, announcing every candidate who came to speak.

Tester is running against Republican state Auditor Matt Rosendale and Libertarian Rick Breckenridge in his bid for re-election for U.S. Senate.

"There is only one farmer in the U.S. Senate and it's important that we send him back there," Bachmeier said. "But is also important that we continue to work really hard to make sure that he gets re-elected. There is no doubt that this election is going to be close."

Tester said he wanted to thank everyone for showing up at the dinner and added that he has fond memories of both Pasma and Peck.

Peck helped him campaign during his first election, he said.

He said Pasma was a great strategist - he knew what it took to win elections in Hill County. Tester said Pasma was also very honest with people about what they need to do to win elections.

It's all about work, Tester said. People will make donations, but if candidates don't put in the work they break that trust with the people who supported them.

Tester asaid he was thankful to Peck and his wife, Betty, for encouraging and helping him run in 1998.

While Tester served his eight years in the Montana Legislature he said he worked with many great legislators like former Sen. and Public Service Commission Chair Greg Jergeson of Chinook and learned a lot from them, adding that he took the lessons he learned from them with him when he went to Washington, D.C.

Tester said he has put 20 bills on President Donald Trump's desk that were signed into law, adding that these bills work for veterans, firefighters, transparency in government and many other things.

He said throughout the years he has fought hard to make sure that Montana and Washington, D.C. have transparency, adding that one of the first bills he introduced as a U.S. Senator was to increase transparency in the U.S. government.

Tester said another important topic being discussed is federal lands, also known as public lands, adding Montanans understand how important these lands are for the state.

"Public lands are owned by us," Tester said, adding one of the best thing about these lands is that anyone can go hunting, fishing or hiking on these lands and get away and relax.

He said people have worked very hard to ensure that Montanans have these public lands, and these values are not shared by his opponent.

Tester said many great people move to Montana from all across the world, and after living in the state for a while, begin to understand Montana values, such as the importance of public lands.

Tester said education is also vitally important for Montana's future.

"Education is the foundation of our democracy, something that has made this country the greatest country in the world," Tester said, "something that has made the middle class the envy of the world."

He added that people are trying to attack the funding, divide it, which is nothing short of a disaster. He said he defends public schools and works hard to advocate programs to maintain the county's position as the leader of the free world.

Tester said health care is not an easy subject, and it is not easily solved. Medicare costs are rising too high, he said, and some people want people with preexisting condition to not be covered under insurance companies. A lot of work needs to be done to prevent "junk insurance" from leaving people helpless, he said.

"When I had my fingers cut off, my dad had an accident policy that covered farm accidents," Tester said, holding up his left hand. "We had a butcher shop on the farm and, guess what, since this happened in meat grinder in a butcher shop, it wasn't a farm accident, so they weren't paying for it."

"The fine print nails you every time, but they're cheep," Tester said, adding that junk policies are not there for when people really need insurance.

"The point is that this election matters, it matters a lot," Tester said."It matters mostly for our kids. This country is the greatest country in the world because there were people in previous generations that worked their butts off ... they knew what had to be done."

He said if the party is going to win, it takes a team of hardworking folks.

"Nobody wins this race without 150 percent effort," Tester said.

He added that if anyone wants to still volunteer they can contact Bachmeier.

"If we all work together, we can make this happen," Tester said, "there are some great people on the ballot this year."

Tester said one of these candidates is Havre City Clerk Doug Kaercher, who is running for the Public Service Commission against opponent Republican Randy Pinocci.

Kaercher, Tester said, is a smart guy. He works hard and will do such an incredible job, in the Public Service Commission. He added that the first time he ever heard of Kaercher, Tester was playing softball and read one of Kaercher's signs when he was running for another position.

Tester said that not since Jergeson will there be a person more qualified for this position and knowledgeable on the subject.

Tester also talked about Montana Senate candidate Paul Tuss, who is running against incumbent Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, in the November election.

He said he has known Tuss for years, adding that his first year on the Montana Legislature he met a young man from Opportunity, who was Tuss.

He said Tuss has done an amazing job over the years understanding economies and building up rural areas.

Tester said if Tuss is elected he guarantees no one will work harder for Montana.