Montana Sen. Jon Tester spoke about regional and state politics at the Bigfork Area Democrats hosting of the Flathead County Democratic Party and Central Committee at the Swan River Community Hall on Jan. 15.

Approximately 60-65 people attended the meeting and spaghetti dinner to hear the guest speakers. During Tester’s question and answer forum he spoke about topics ranging from gun control to filibusters.

“We’ve got folks in the U.S. Senate that want to see it totally dysfunctional and they should be held accountable,” Tester said.

According to Tester, the biggest challenges for this year are fixing the country’s deficit and debt which require a bi-partisan solution. He also said the country is past due for a solution and “needed it yesterday.”

He encouraged the public to stay in contact with representatives to work together and that “citizenship trumps partisanship.”

Bigfork Area Democrats volunteer Edd Blackler said Tester’s visit was a surprise for the group with about five days notice.

JoLynn Yenne of the Bigfork Area Democrats said Tester’s office in Kalispell contacted them and knew the group was having their meeting that night while Tester was in the area and wanted to stop by.

Following Tester’s forum, Kalispell CHS General Manager Mark Lalum and Bigfork’s Duane Johnson, owner of Clearwater Biologicals, spoke about agriculture in the Flathead Valley.