Republicans stump during Festival Days

Republican candidates for local, legislative and statewide office introduced themselves to voters in Havre Saturday at the Hill County GOP Festival Days Candidate Reception in Pepin Park.

The event hosted by the Hill County Republicans took place immediately after the parade. Light refreshments, lemonade and water were served to those in attendance.

Lesley Robinson, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor and state Sen. Elsie Arntzen of Billings, the party's candidate for superintendent of public instruction, headlined the reception.

Three Republican state legislative candidates from districts in north-central Montana were present.

This year, in addition to the presidential race, all five of Montana's statewide elected officials will be on the ballot as well as the federal representative will be on the ballot.

Democrats now hold most of the statewide offices except attorney general, but many at the gathering said that this year, the party's roster of candidates is strong enough to win a majority of those offices in November.

"I am trying to remember a time where I was more excited about our slate of statewide candidates this year," said state Rep. Stephanie Hess. "The quality of the candidates we have is just outstanding."

Hess, a freshman member of the Montana House of Representatives, is fending off a challenge from Hill County Democratic Party Vice-Chair Jacob Bachmeier in House District 28.

Havre School Board Trustee Ed Hill  said he had recently met Arntzen and was impressed by what he heard.

"She's got some great ideas, things that I did not even know were possible," Hill said.

Arntzen is going up against Democrat Melissa Romano, a former fourth-grade school teacher from Helena and political newcomer vying to replace termed-out incumbent Democrat Denise Juneau.

Arntzen has taught fifth and sixth grades in Billings for 23 years. She served four terms in the Montana House of Representatives and is now in her first term as a state senator. She said her background in teaching and legislating will be assets in managing the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

"You must have someone (on) day one who understands the process," Arntzen said to the audience.

The governor's race has captured much of the attention surrounding state elections. Robinson, a fourth-generation rancher and a Phillips County Commissioner was tapped in February to be the running mate of Republican candidate for governor Greg Gianforte.

Gianforte and Robinson face  incumbent Democrats Gov. Steve Bullock and Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney and Libertarian candidate Ted Dunlap and his running mate Ron Vandevender.  

Robinson said to the crowd that if elected, the needs of agriculture and rural communities would be a priority.

"I joined the race with Greg (Gianforte) because I wanted to give rural Montana a voice in the governor's office, and I really think it has been missing for a long time," Robinson said.

Former Chouteau County Commissioner Jim O'Hara said if elected to House District 27, he will focus much of his attention on agriculture and natural resource development.

"We have oil, we have gas, we have a tremendous amount of resources I believe that need to be developed in a profitable way," he said.

O'Hara will go up against Democrat Ryan Rominger of Floweree in November for the seat held by term-limited state Rep. Roy Hollandworth, R-Brady.

First-term state Rep. Bruce Meyers of Box Elder, who is a candidate in Senate District 16 and  a member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe at Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, encouraged Republicans to reach out to Native Americans.

"We need to expand into new territories," Meyers said to the crowd.

Meyers, who won a surprise victory in 2014, is now facing former Democratic state Sen. Frank Smith of Poplar.

Meyers said he envisions himself as "a peacemaker" able to craft  joint pieces of legislation with lawmakers of both parties.  

"We are all in this together," Meyers said. " There is no us versus them."

In local races, Hill County Superintendent of Schools Diane McLean, the party's candidate to fill the county commissioner seat now held by County Commissioner Jeff LaVoi, spoke. She faces Democrat Jim Bedwell and independent Ted Solomon in November.

"As a commissioner I want to maintain the services that our county currently provides with  integrity and efficiency and try to keep people here," she said.