Republicans scored a stunning electoral rout in the Nov. 4 midterm elections, wresting control of the U.S. Senate after an acrimonious campaign season in which voters’ frustration with Washington gridlock and an unpopular president manifested itself in sweeping GOP victories nationally and across the state.
In Montana and the Flathead Valley, state legislative and county commissioner races followed the same trend, and when the dust settled and the victors emerged with policy agendas and pledges to push back against the political current by focusing on policy rather than politicking, the Beacon teased out their priorities and asked: What’s next?
Daines Hopes for Productive 114th Congress
Montana’s new U.S. Senator says he’s eager to pass key legislation on behalf of constituents
BY TRISTAN SCOTT
The tumultuous race for Montana’s open U.S. Senate seat was beset with unforeseen bombshells, but when the votes were tallied to manifest a decisive Republican win, the upshot was a matter of predictable course.
In a landslide victory that followed a national swell of Republican nods, one-term GOP Congressman Steve Daines sailed to victory as Montana’s newest U.S. senator, handily defeating Democrat Amanda Curtis to become the first Republican delegate to hold the seat in more than a century. READ MORE »»»
Zinke Hopes to Lead By Example
Former Navy SEAL says GOP must seek common ground to effectively represent
BY TRISTAN SCOTT
Republican former Navy SEAL Ryan Zinke maintained a steady GOP grip on Montana’s lone U.S. House seat following the Nov. 4 Midterm Elections, but the Congressman-elect from Whitefish says the real work will be representing all Montanans in a divided Congress prone to dragging its heels on issues critical to the state.
In a speech to supporters in Whitefish, where Zinke and his family watched the results trickle in, he said it’s up to Republicans who will now control the Senate as well as the House to work toward a definitive plan on how to deal with the biggest issues facing the nation – energy independence, job creation, health care, and reining in an over-reaching federal government. READ MORE »»»
Shaping the 2015 Montana Legislature
Republicans rally to dominate statewide elections, but next session bears similarities to 2013
BY TRISTAN SCOTT
The tide of Republican victories that rolled across the nation during last week’s mid-term elections wrested control of the U.S. Senate from Democrats, and while Montana’s GOP followed the national trend by dominating most state legislative races and maintaining control of both chambers, the makeup of the 2015 session bears similarities to last year’s term, which was characterized by intraparty squabbling amongst divided factions of the GOP.
State Republicans won a 29-21 majority in the Senate, which is the same balance they enjoyed in 2013, and a 59-41 majority in the House, where Democrats found little purchase even as they gained two seats. READ MORE »»»
Mitchell Rolls Into the County Commission
After a break, Flathead commissioner-elect plans on getting to know the budget better
BY MOLLY PRIDDY
In the end, the vote for Flathead County commissioner didn’t have the drama the campaign leading up to the election did.
Republican candidate Phil Mitchell soundly swept Democrat candidate Stacey Schnebel on Nov. 4, with 66 percent of the vote to Schnebel’s 34 percent. READ MORE »»»