Candidates excel in press Q&As as they work to keep seats blue
Every election year, Montana newspapers do Q&As with candidates for the Legislature, so voters can get a sense of the candidates running in these down-ballot races.
Here’s a look at how Carol’s List targeted candidates — the ones working to hold on to blue House seats — outshone their opponents in the press this fall!
Margie MacDonald
Billings, Senate District 26
“Senate District 26,” Billings Gazette, Sept. 21, 2020.
Highlight of Q&A: (Answering a question about what budget steps she would take to counter the Covid-29 recession — Gov. Steve Bullock has said reserve funding should cover projected gaps; Republicans are pushing for budget cuts.) “Montana’s strong, thriving economy prior to the pandemic in conjunction with judicious budgeting and planning by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and the Governor, have placed Montana in the position of having a rainy day fund and a fire fund reserve that now insulate the state from the drastic measures imposed in neighboring states and across the country. Lawmakers will be wise in 2021 if they continue the bipartisan efforts to balance the budget, invest wisely and maintain a rainy day fund to insulate Montanans from drastic, hurtful budget cuts.”
Her constituents say: “Billings lawmakers need to go to bat for our schools in Helena.”
Her opponent says: Covid-19 is a “temporary situation” that doesn’t call for new laws to be passed, and yet it’s a big enough deal to warrant slashing budgets for services that help Montanans.
Helena Lovick
Great Falls, House District 26
“Meet the candidates that are running for Montana House District 26 in Great Falls,” Great Falls Tribune, Oct. 12, 2020.
Highlight of Q&A: (When asked to describe her approach to pass bills.) “My goal as a legislator is to advocate for the best interests of my constituents. To do that effectively, I plan to listen, be informed, and work in collaboration with my fellow legislators. I will fight for quality health care, education, helping Montana businesses, and safety nets for struggling families. I am happy to work with any legislator working to prioritize everyday Montanans.”
Her priorities: “Making sure all Montanans have access to health care, quality public education, helping Montana businesses and protecting the most vulnerable in our community.”
Her opponent’s top priority: “I want to make sure the right people stay in jail and prison as much as possible”.
Loni Conley
Missoula, House District 96
“House District 96 candidate Q&A: Loni Conley,” Missoulian, Sept. 11, 2020.
Highlight of Q&A: When Conley, a nurse, was asked how she’d serve during a pandemic, she said: “I plan to serve in Legislature according the recommendations of public health officials, who use infection prevention knowledge, evidence-based practice and known epidemiology to make their recommendations.”
Her opponent says (in response to the same question): “I plan to work cooperatively with the Legislature in all appropriate formats should the pandemic continue into the 2021 session.” (Emphasis ours.)