Election mail bag May 31

I have known Tony Brockman for nearly 20 years, first in my role as a teacher at Flathead High School, then as a colleague and friend as we worked on projects together. Tony is a “can do” person who works hard to accomplish things for the greater good of all. I am convinced that Tony is the right choice for our next Flathead County Commissioner.

With generational roots in the Valley, Tony has a long-term perspective ingrained with respect for the rich history and culture of this Valley.

With the inquisitiveness of a journalist (as I knew him to be in high school), Tony has always done his “homework” and bases his decisions in quality and thorough research.

With the hopeful vision of a young man, Tony has a fresh perspective that looks for solutions that will serve our county well into the future.

And with the ability to actively engage with people in all walks of life, Tony has the communication skills to seek out and truly listen to people’s concerns before acting.

I’ve watched Tony in action for many years; that’s why I think Tony is ideally suited to be an excellent county commissioner. He has our history in his veins through his Flathead family roots, our needs in focus through his extensive community service, and our future in view as planned economic growth that protects our quality of life.

I encourage you to join me in voting for Tony Brockman for county commissioner on the Republican primary ballot.

—Sue Brown, Whitefish

When I met Elliot Adams, he mentioned that property rights, public safety and no new taxes are his priorities. His experience in the construction industry helps him to be effective in serving on the Flathead County Planning and Zoning Committee. Fortunately, Flathead County has excellent property rights, but sometimes they are not followed. This results in costly mistakes and sometimes lawsuits.

Elliot is eager to learn and has shown his ability to work for Flathead County. I support Elliot Adams for County Commissioner because he will do a great job serving the public and helping develop a budget that meets their needs without raising taxes. I also support Austin Knudsen for Attorney General.

—Verdell Jackson, Kalispell

In the Secretary of State Republican primary, Bowen Greenwood is a great choice. The person who should NEVER get our vote is perennial candidate and career politician Brad Johnson.

Those who have watched Johnson’s relentless pursuit of political power and prestige, see him for what he is: ambition on steroids. But what has he actually accomplished? As that burger commercial once asked, “where’s the meat?” Having worked with Brad for over five years at the PSC, you take it from me. There is no meat. In between a big cowboy hat and a shiny pair of western boots, all you’ll find is an empty suit – satisfied to occupy the office, but utterly unwilling to do the work.

His one-term tenure as SOS was equally empty. Johnson was remembered for only two accomplishments – both bad. He helped usher in same day voter registration, and he tried to distribute huge bonuses to his buddies during his final days in office.

On the PSC, Johnson has proven to be a fake conservative, with no understanding of free markets and the freedom philosophy. When you examine his votes and his influence on other commissioners, you’re forced to conclude that he’s a water-carrier for the utility monopolies, protecting them from competition and handing them risk-free profits at ratepayers’ expense.

Brad thinks he will skate through the GOP primary because his name is most recognizable on the ballot. He’s confident people won’t pay attention to his disastrous record in public office. I think he’s in for a surprise.

— Commissioner Roger Koopman, Bozeman

As someone who has spent my career in the private sector, nonprofit sector, and two decades in public service for the state of Montana, including working for former Gov. Brian Schweitzer, I am supporting Whitney Williams for Governor and her running mate Buzz Mattelin. As a team they bring exactly what I believe Montana needs to move forward at this very difficult time.

She and Buzz are leaders and problem solvers with vast experience in Montana and beyond. They will consider the needs of all of Montana, including small and rural towns often overlooked. Expertise is not just years of experience -- it’s also about leadership. Working outside state government is not a bad thing, and just because someone has worked in government doesn’t necessarily mean they can get the job done.

I also believe that Whitney can beat a Republican in the general election and retain the governor’s seat. Let’s open the door to a new generation of leadership. Whitney will hit the ground running with energy, new ideas, vision, and experience to manage our public health and economic health. I strongly believe that it’s time to look to the future, not just to the past.

—Jan Lombardi, Helena

Tim Fox is the right choice for governor! Tim Fox was born and raised in Hardin, Montana. He’s not an outsider trying to buy your vote. Tim Fox has the right temperament to be governor. Tim Fox will be fiscally responsible and won’t blow up our state budget. Tim Fox will protect your 2nd amendment rights and the rights of the unborn.

—Scott Reichner, Kalispell

Since the very beginning, Matt Rosendale has been on the forefront of battling the coronavirus. Before it even arrived in the Treasure State, Matt began developing a plan.

That’s why when we first started to see economic uncertainty, Matt immediately undertook efforts to educate and warn the public, especially our seniors, about the scam attempts and bad actors that would try to take advantage of them in this time of crisis.

Matt sat down with Montana’s health insurers to make sure that anyone who needed to get tested would be able to do so and even secured an agreement to waive all associated copays and deductibles. He also worked to ensure that Montanans were able to maintain continuity of coverage, regardless of employment status.

At a time when Montanans are struggling to make ends meet, Matt was able to work with insurance companies to refund over $20 million to over 500,000 Montanans.

Now that we have begun to slowly return to our ‘new normal’, our focus must be facilitating a swift economic recovery that gets Montanans back to work. Matt’s agenda of lowering taxes and removing barriers to job creation will reignite our economy and get Montana back on track.

Matt Rosendale has been a leader throughout this crisis, and he is the candidate for Congress that I trust to lead our economic recovery. That’s why I am proud to endorse Matt Rosendale for U.S. Congress, I ask that all Montanans join me in voting for Matt Rosendale in the June 2nd primary.

—Rep. Greg Hertz, Polson

David Dunn is a young man of integrity who has stood for the rights of the elderly, the unborn and the Second Amendment.

His opponent has said that abortion should continue as it currently is practiced and that is very disturbing. Please vote for David Dunn for House District 9 in the primary this June.

—Frances Young, Lakeside