My name is Dave Kesler, and I am running for the new House District 76, which spans from Georgetown Lake, through Deer Lodge, Drummond, Philipsburg, Rock Creek, almost to Clinton, up towards Seeley Lake, Ovando, Helmville, Avon and Elliston.
I live in Philipsburg with my 11-year-old daughter, Kelly, and am fortunate enough to be surrounded by family. I'm a builder, a mechanic, a rancher, an avid hunter and an active citizen. I am a third generation Montanan, working the same land my grandparents worked in Philipsburg and the Deer Lodge Valley since the 1950s. Granite and the surrounding counties are important to me personally, as they comprise my history, my home and my livelihood.
I volunteer anywhere help is needed. I am on a local search and rescue team, and I frequently chaperone for school events.
I have participated in the legislative process in past sessions. I've spoken in front of House and Senate committees as a proponent of bills that preserve the rights of parents and that limit the powers of unelected officials working in government agencies. I have also traveled to Helena to give public testimony as an opponent to legislation I saw as problematic to the people of the state. I am actively working on several bills that will improve government transparency and secure benefits for veterans. One of these bills will ensure everything said in a public courtroom is recorded and accessible to the public and transcribed in full. The other seeks to waive vehicle licensing fees for veterans and to relieve veterans of property taxes and paying state taxes on their retirement income.
Realizing the redistricting of the state places John Fitzpatrick of Helena and Georgetown Lake as the "incumbent" to our new HD 76, I feel compelled to run for this seat. Fitzpatrick's voting record in the House reflects the values of big business, big government, anti-Second Amendment rights, raising taxes, anti-free speech and support of left-wing ideologies. For example, John Fitzpatrick ranked a 76% positive alignment with the Montana AFL-CIO Legislative Scorecard while, in contrast, the Montana Conservative Alliance ranked Fitzpatrick with a 9% match for their issues and the Montana Family Foundation, who openly supports life, liberty, family and school choice, ranked Fitzpatrick second to last of all Republican representatives while Representative Zack Wirth, of the former HD 80, and Becky Beard of former SD 40 tied for first place, each earning 100% approval for their voting records.
I want to protect the conservative values of Powell and Granite Counties while simultaneously supporting our rural district into becoming more economically vibrant by strengthening our freedom to conduct business and to use our land free from burdensome, government restrictions. I am dedicated to cleaning up governmental overreach and excessive taxing and spending. I am particularly concerned with solving the rising property tax issues of the state by restructuring the current process and limiting rate increases by basing taxes on the purchase price of one's home, not on the presumed value of the surrounding properties.
Now you know a little about me, and I would like to reciprocate. I want to hear from everyone in the district and will make myself available to all. Please call (406-491-2650) or email me (KeslerforMontana@gmail.com) with any questions or concerns you may have about our district representation. Invite me to your area, business, church or organization for a meet-and-greet. You can also read more about me at http://www.KeslerForMontana.com. And, most importantly, don't forget to vote for Dave Kesler on the primary election ballots due by Tuesday, June 4.
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