Primary Election Voter Guide Four Montana Republicans Are Running in the June 5 Primary Election for a Chance to Unseat Montana’S Senior U.S
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Primary Election Voter Guide Four Montana Republicans are running in the June 5 primary election for a chance to unseat Montana’s Senior U.S. Senator, Democrat Jon Tester, in the Nov. 6 gen- eral election. The Montana Free Press surveyed the four candidates to see where they stand on 10 key issues. The candidates were asked to respond in 50 words or By Charles S. Johnson Montana Free Press less to each question. Below are their responses, edited only for length and style. www.montanafreepress.org Q: Troy Downing Russ Fagg Al Olszewski Matt Rosendale If elected, what leg- Lower taxes and cut regulation. We I support policies of limited govern- The best legislation to create new high We need to grow the economy and islation would you need to get the government out of ment, individual responsibility, the rule paying jobs is to codify the 30,000 pag- peel back regulations, support our support to create good, high-paying jobs? the way, unleash the economy by of law, private property rights, and es of regulations eliminated by Pres- agriculture, hi-tech and manufac- allowing Montanans do what they do incentive-based systems. Specifically, ident Trump through executive order. turing industries, and harness our best: invest, innovate and grow. I support modernizing the Endangered This would make the current improve- natural resources – including coal, Species Act and the Equal Access to ment in job creation permanent. minerals and timber. Unlike Jon Justice Act. Tester, I’ll stand-up and fight back against the radical environmentalists who block the creation of more good paying jobs in Montana. Do you support the Repeal Obamacare and let the free No. I support more choice, competi- I do not support the Affordable Care We must repeal and replace Affordable Care Act market work. We are insuring a bro- tion and transparency in health care Act. It is a failed experiment. It will take Obamacare. Montana families have and if so, are there any changes you think are ken system rather than fixing what’s systems. I support expanded health years to undo the movement toward been devastated with higher pre- needed. If you don’t broken. We need more transparency savings accounts and more patient a single-payer system. First, we start miums and higher deductibles that support the ACA, what to see what the real costs of health involvement in health care decisions. by removing all regulations that force have made health care completely is your position on care are and ensure Americans are I support competition across borders your doctor to limit your care to only the unaffordable. I’ll continue working to health care policy? getting actual health care not just and state allowed waivers of health treatments authorized by the govern- expand access and reduce health being forced to buy health insurance. insurance requirements – more state ment. care costs because we must provide control. more affordable options and better care to Montanans. Do you favor or oppose We are all concerned about the I am concerned with corporate money As your next U.S. senator, I will champi- I think we should have instant having more or fewer amount of money spent on elections, and anonymous “dark money” and on legislation that would abolish Super- disclosure of campaign contributions restrictions on corpo- rate money and anony- but as a constitutional conservative I understand free speech requirements PACs and prohibit elected officials from in order to see who is giving to our mous “dark money” in support free speech and believe this under our Constitution. We need to having control or directing the expendi- candidates. I believe more trans- federal political cam- is a conversation we need to keep balance these interests. tures of these PACs. parency is better, but above all, any paigns? What changes, having. reform must protect our freedom of if any, do you favor? speech guaranteed to all of us by the Constitution. What would you do to The Robert Mueller investigation has U.S. elections must be as tam- To prevent election tampering, voting As I travel across the state, the prevent foreign gov- gone on too long. There has been no per-proof as we can make them. The machines need to be a closed elec- people of Montana would like to see ernments from tamper- ing in U.S. elections? proven collusion between the Trump investigation into Russian meddling tronic system that is separate from the Mueller conclude his investigation Would you support or campaign and the Russians. It needs must be truly independent – indepen- Internet and encrypted. The Mueller sooner rather than later. This has oppose efforts to shut to end. This is a witch hunt. dent of politics. Specifically, I have investigation must run its course. been dragging on and so far, we hav- down Special Prose- not yet been able to determine if the en’t seen any evidence of collusion. cutor Robert Mueller’s Robert Mueller investigation is truly investigation into Rus- sian meddling into U.S. independent of politics. elections? Do you support the Montanans know how to spend their Yes. Next we need to address health I support the Trump tax cuts. They will President Trump’s tax cuts have Trump tax cuts? What own money better than the gov- care reform, immigration reform and be the greatest economic stimulus meant bigger paychecks and more if any changes would you propose? ernment does. Lower taxes mean spending reform. program Montana has ever experi- jobs for Montanans. The average more food on the table, more money enced. An extimated $570 million will be Montanan will now see a $1,600 flowing into the economy and small returned to Montana every year. It’s our paycheck increase every year. Unlike business investing in employees and money. Senator Tester, I believe it’s a good growing. I support these tax cuts. thing when you have more money Now we must simplify the tax code in your pocket. This is a win for and reduce regulations. Montana. Do you support Presi- Build the wall, stop illegal immigra- I support secure borders. We need to I support building the wall. We can We are a nation of laws. It’s time we dent Trump’s proposal tion, end sanctuary cities, support our know who is coming into our country. finance it by selling all the unused and restore law and order to this country. to build a wall between the United States and law enforcement. Mexican meth is I support merit-based immigration re- empty government buildings and real We need to secure the border, build Mexico? If so, how one of the biggest problems coming form. If immigrants are paying taxes, estate throughout the country. The the wall, deport criminals and finally should it be financed? across our border and devastating have a job, and contributing to our proceeds will easily pay for the wall bring an end to sanctuary cities. Sen- local communities in Montana. country, then give them a place at the construction. ator Tester put the needs of illegal back of the line to become citizens. immigrants ahead of Montanans and it’s completely unacceptable. What, if any, changes I will always uphold, support and While I do not support changes in fed- I support the federal government I will always defend our right to keep in federal gun laws do defend the Second Amendment and eral gun laws, I do support changes to enforcing the gun laws on the books and bear arms. The Constitution is you support to curb gun violence? the U.S. Constitution. This is Ameri- improve our mental health system. By before any additional laws are created. crystal clear, “shall not be infringed.” ca. Everyone has a right to express definition, criminals do not follow laws. Understanding this is now more im- their freedom of speech; however, portant than ever because our Mon- we don’t need more gun regulations. tana way of life is under assault. With We need to emphasize mental health me, our Second Amendment Rights more and ensure we enforce laws on will never be up for negotiation! the books Do you support Pres- The President is negotiating with No. Montana exports 80 percent of Tariffs are important tools that should The President is an expert negotiator ident Trump’s import other countries from a position of our agriculture products out of state be used carefully to protect our coun- who is starting these negotiations tarrifs? If a trade war breaks out, are you strength. Not folding or apologiz- and 50 percent out of country. I sup- try’s economic interests. We should from a position of strength. I applaud concerned that some ing like President Obama did. We port our President but I will always put always be concerned when tariffs are President Trump for having the cour- countries could impose haven’t seen the final deal, and I am Montana first. threatened or used. There are always age to stand up to China. We have tariffs on U.S. agricul- confident that President Trump will consequences to their use. every right to demand a better trade ture? negotiate the best deal possible for deal – a fair trade deal – that benefits our ranchers and farmers. our workers and our country. What, if anything, The climate is changing but the People should voluntarily do what We should be good stewards of our I firmly believe we can develop our should be done address conversation and research is still they desire to have less of a carbon world. We should always look to reduce, natural resources and protect our the issue of climate change? happening as to why and what to do footprint.