Remember to vote on Election Day

On Jan. 11th of this year, I wrote a check for $15, filled out a form on the Secretary of State’s website and signed on the dotted line to become a candidate for the Montana Senate in District 14. Since that cold winter day over 290 days ago, I’ve had the unique opportunity of traveling the highways and dirt roads of this sprawling rural district, which encompasses a large section of northern Montana, from the Canadian border to neighborhoods in northern Great Falls.

In addition to putting thousands of miles on my truck, I’ve also listened to thousands of residents of this special place, as I’ve asked them about how state government should function, what their priorities are and what they expect from their legislators.

The residents of this district have been engaged, thoughtful and welcoming, and for that I am thankful. They also have great ideas about what they expect from state government — and those ideas are consistent with the key areas I’ve been discussing during the campaign on porches, front doors, driveways and during listening sessions.

Developing common-sense solutions to the challenges we face is nothing new to our area. Through necessity, rural Montanans have always come together, regardless of partisan affiliation, to invest in our communities, build our infrastructure and educate the next generation. A positive, forward-focused outlook concerning our collective future, and not worrying about who gets credit for good ideas, has sustained our region in good times and in bad. These ideas are what people in northern Montana continue to support as they look to the future.

Supporting quality schools, building community infrastructure, protecting public lands, keeping college tuition affordable, assuring rural hospitals remain open and financially viable, and helping small businesses to thrive are the key components of my campaign. They are also the issues most important to the residents of Senate District 14.

As the general election nears, I want to thank the residents of this Senate district for their thoughts, ideas and encouragement. It is only through genuine, respectful dialogue that we will be able to make this special part of Montana an even better place to live, work, raise a family and build a business.

I would be honored with your vote on Election Day, or by absentee ballot. Regardless of who you support, however, remember to vote. Our future depends on it.

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Democrat Paul Tuss of Havre is challenging Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, in the race for the seat in Senate District 14