For whatever it’s worth, this is for whom I’m voting in selected Democratic Primary races and why.
One of the most important votes you will cast is for Montana Supreme Court (at the end of the ballot). Most people ignore it, so your vote will carry extra weight.
Mike Black is by far the superior candidate. He enjoys the support of six of the retired Supreme Court Judges (out of seven). The incumbent is essentially a puppet for the Koch organization.
State Auditor (really the Insurance and Securities Commissioner): Shane Morigeau. Shane is a very respected state representative from Missoula. He is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and has a law degree from the University of Montana.
Public Service Commission: Monica Tranel. Monica Tranel is a highly skilled lawyer who specializes in utility law and has practiced in front of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and in the court room, defending consumers.
The PSC is not widely understood, but it is very important, because it sets the rates that we pay for utilities, like electricity, etc. The current Commission takes its marching orders from the utilities which they are supposed to regulate with no regard for us, the end customers.
Competing twice in the Olympics Monica won a World Championship Gold for the U.S. Women’s Rowing Team. She is full of energy and she will be the first Commissioner in years representing Montanans and not the giant corporations who shamelessly extort Montana’s utility customers with totally unwarranted rate hikes. Tranel will also be a powerful advocate for renewable, non-polluting, cheaper energy.
Her opponent is 22 years old and has zero experience in power generation, accounting or law.
For Montana Senate District 46: Shannon O’Brien. SD46 stretches from Condon to Bonner, includes half of downtown Missoula and part of the University district.
Shannon’s resume is highly impressive. She earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Montana and served as Dean of Missoula College. While there, she prioritized the statewide apprenticeship program and increasing the number of rural healthcare workers by hundreds.
Precinct Committee (just before the non-partisan judicial races): Bette Orr. Bette has been very active, especially helping with fundraising. Her opponent does not even want to run and tried to get off the ballot but missed the deadline.
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