Is it any wonder why more good people don’t run for public office? As my last campaign winds to an end I reflect on the threatening calls, distorted voting records, libelous postcards and sometimes even mean fellow legislators of the past. Why do we often remember these when there are terrific people who support candidates, donate money to campaigns and become part of the solution to make Montana better?
Things have certainly changed in politics. The new world of social media makes it easy to take to the airwaves and post something based on feelings rather than fact. It’s also easy to pull select words from a complete essay to prove your point or copy slanderous information from an anonymous blogger.
Young people entering today’s legislative races don’t have the voting record or the gray hair of experience many of us do to combat the hearsay. What they do have, however, is unbridled enthusiasm, a passion for the Constitution, ideas on how to make Montana better for future generations and the commitment to spend the time helping solve the problems important to the voters.
I support Taylor Rose in HD3 and Chet Billi in HD5 (my two House districts before they redistricted me out of Whitefish) as two of the young people entering the political arena for the first time. These young conservatives will be my partners in Helena for bills to lower taxes, preserve your property rights and defend the Second Amendment from the socialist attacks.
We need fresh ideas and younger people to change the often stagnant air in the capitol. Montana needs Taylor and Chet – and we need your votes this election season! Thanks for all your past support.
Dee Brown, senator
Hungry Horse