Is a gondola or a Olympic style hockey rink the answers to Lincoln County’s economic woes?

Senate District 1 candidate Vince Backen seems to think so. Backen, a Libby resident and businessman, is running for the seat after Mike Cuffe termed out. He is opposed by fellow Libby resident Steve Gunderson and Neil Duram, of Eureka. They are all registered Republicans. Democrat Jonathan Russell Jameson also filed for the seat.

The primary election will be Tuesday, June 2, with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m.

Backen’s desire to run stems from him watching the economy of the county slowly die as its primary industries of logging and mining have waned the last several decades. He also said after contacting Cuffe he was encouraged to run and he thinks he can change things in Libby for the better while working in Helena.

“I have generations of family here, my kids are here and I want them and their kids’ kids to prosper,” Backen said in a recent interview with The Western News. “I can create generational success and my passion for Lincoln County is unequaled.”

According to State of Montana figures, Lincoln County's unemployment rate was 6.3% for April 2026, worst in the state. They were 95 fewer people working than last year. The state average is 3.5%

Backen said the county, like the United States, was built on big ideas.

“Building a rail line here, building a dam here, those were very big ideas,” he said. “We can’t continue to wait and hope for mining and logging to return. It’s been decades since they thrived. Family members of mine went bankrupt in mining and logging. Lincoln County doesn’t export anymore and it has led to a long-term stagnation that we really can’t afford any longer.”

Backen said the money he made as a Merchant Marine and research vessel operator returned to Libby where he’s opened some businesses, including a restaurant and a book store.

Backen said a friend of his had the gondola idea a few years ago.

“I’ve spoken to some people in the Gondola business whose suggestions have boosted my belief it can work here,” he said. “Utilizing the Americans with Disabilities Act is one way to get several entities on board,” Backen said. “A gondola is a great way to get people of all ages and abilities into places where they may not be currently able to go.

“This can be a year-round attraction,” he said. “Glacier and Yellowstone national parks are overrun and the ski areas are struggling with a lack of snow, but this can fill in those gaps and make Libby a year round destination.”

Backen’s vision includes a modest beginning with one operating in the Kootenai Falls area.

“It’d take about $20 million to build a one-mile section and we’d look to our community to largely fund it,” Backen said. “People don’t have trouble investing on Wall Street, so why not invest here in a project like this?”

Backen thinks the indoor ice rink is better suited in Eureka because of its proximity to Canada, Washington, Idaho and Montanans who would use it.

“It would provide opportunities for hockey teams, speed skaters, curling, figure skating, recreation and tournaments and those would bolster hotels, restaurants and local shops all year, creating permanent jobs and pride in our communities,” he said.

Backen has a similar thought for the Port Authority land.

“We need a bigger detention center and relocating it from the current building would open that up to rentable spaces that could create income. We could also build training facilities for law enforcement, military and fire companies and the rental of those facilities would also generate income.”

The fact that Libby hosted the Montana State Volunteer Firefighters Convention a year ago gives Backen the faith it can host other such events and organizations.

Backen has also drawn attention, not all positive, for his involvement in the Libby City Government Study Commission.

“I voted against it, but when it became a reality, I thought I should be on it,” he said.

Many observers, near and far, were concerned the study commission had run off the rails and was exceeding its authority.

Some statements Backen made mischaracterized those made by county attorney Marcia Boris. It led to him making him a public apology to the her.

“I misstated her legal opinion regarding the study commission’s authority,” Backen said. “She advised only that the study commission could recommend to the city that it form an ethics committee, she never suggested the study commission itself had the power to create one. That distinction matters and I’m sorry for the confusion and any harm this caused to her reputation.”

Backen said his position on the study commission’s TAC committee was that it was formed to receive complaints and suggestions for the commission to use as information to better serve Libby residents.

The study commission is set to make its report at the end of June.

“I’ll be happy with the final result and we plan to recommend an amended charter,” he said.