Don “K” Kaltschmidt is a common guy who has accomplished a lot. He started out working in the woods, and has a chainsaw scar on his knee to prove it. While he has gone on to succeed in business, he is still fundamentally an ordinary hard-working guy who likes people. As he has succeeded, he hasn’t forgotten to share his success with the people of our community.

I’ve known Don K since our kids attended school together about 10 years ago. I like him. From my service on the Whitefish School Board, I know we have quality local schools. I know Don knows that too, and that maintaining excellence in our educational system is a top priority to him.

We are fortunate in the Whitefish area to have a tradition of solid, balanced thinkers representing us in the state Senate. Bob Brown, Bob DePratu, Dan Weinberg, and Ryan Zinke come to mind. As a railroad employee, I know we “rails” always got a fair shake from each one of these men. I know we will get that from Don K, too.

I doubt there is anybody in Northwest Montana who better understands our economy, or how it affects blue-collar workers, than Don. He knows local people, and we know him. He won’t get caught up in political games and forget about us. I ask the people of Whitefish and our West Valley neighbors to vote for Don “K” Kaltschmidt to represent us in the state Senate.

—Brian McDowell, Whitefish