Republican bus tour rallies the vote in Havre

A group of Republicans held a rally in Havre this morning, saying now is the chance to send a message throughout the country.

"Ultimately, one neighbor at a time, you will be going to the voting booth to vote for the future of America, for the future of Montana and for the future of Hill County," said U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont. "And, you have some outstanding candidates. This is really exciting for us who have watched Montana politics over the years. This is the best opportunity we have had."

Rehberg and state Sen. Jeff Essmann, R-Billings, and state Republican Party Chair Will Deschamps, were in Havre at 9 a.m. at Town Square during their GOP Victory Tour bus tour.

The group promoted local legislative candidates Rep. Wendy Warburton, who is facing Democrat Dana Sapp Seidel in the race in House District 34; Kris Hansen, who is facing Democrat Jack Trethewey in House District 33; and Rowlie Hutton, who is is facing Speaker of the House Bob Bergren, D-Havre, in the race for Senate District 17.

Essmann said that although Montana represents only three-tenths of 1 percent of the people of America, "We have a chance in this election cycle, starting right here in Hill County, to make a difference in the course of this country."

Essmann said the lack of hiring in the country is due to the policies of President Barack Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress.

"Montanans have a chance to send a message back to Washington," he said, adding that that could start by electing Warburton, Hansen and Hutton to work to reverse the national policies.

Warburton, who said Hansen could not be at the rally because she was acting as chief deputy Hill County attorney in court this morning, said she would wants to continue her work to improve the future of Montana. When she returned to the state, she was disappointed by the lack of good-paying jobs, she said.

"It shouldn't be that way. We are the Treasure State and we need to start accessing our treasures," she said.

Warburton said the oil and gas coal reserves in the state, as well as its decimated timber industry, need revitalization. Democrats killed every bill to try to do that on party-line votes in the last session, she said.

"We can change this things on the state level if we can just get a Republican majority this session," she said.

Warburton said she would continue with her platform of pro-family, pro-life issues, supporting agriculture, reducing taxes to make it easier for employers and make the state more business friendly, and working to improve gun rights.

Hutton said one of his main points is the reduction of the business equipment tax, which would help bring business and jobs and keep Montana's young people here.

"Denny, I think we should cal that the tail-light tax," he said. "That way we could tax them one last time as they leave the state."

He said he also would oppose efforts for the state to regulate sex-education, referencing a recent hot-button issue in the Helena school district and legislation previously proposed in the Legislature.

Another issue that needs to be dealt with is the explosion of the use of medical marijuana, he said.

Both Essmann and Rehberg said the candidates in the Havre area show a clear contrast between the Democrat and Republican candidates, and congratulated the local Republican volunteers in their work to highlight those differences.

"If you believe in faith and family and freedom, then how could you not vote Republican Tuesday?" Rehberg said.

A group of Republicans held a rally in Havre this morning, saying now is the chance to send a message throughout the country.

"Ultimately, one neighbor at a time, you will be going to the voting booth to vote for the future of America, for the future of Montana and for the future of Hill County," said U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont. "And, you have some outstanding candidates. This is really exciting for us who have watched Montana politics over the years. This is the best opportunity we have had."

Rehberg and state Sen. Jeff Essmann, R-Billings, and state Republican Party Chair Will Deschamps, were in Havre at 9 a.m. at Town Square during their GOP Victory Tour bus tour.

The group promoted local legislative candidates Rep. Wendy Warburton, who is facing Democrat Dana Sapp Seidel in the race in House District 34; Kris Hansen, who is facing Democrat Jack Trethewey in House District 33; and Rowlie Hutton, who is is facing Speaker of the House Bob Bergren, D-Havre, in the race for Senate District 17.

Essmann said that although Montana represents only three-tenths of 1 percent of the people of America, "We have a chance in this election cycle, starting right here in Hill County, to make a difference in the course of this country."

Essmann said the lack of hiring in the country is due to the policies of President Barack Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress.

"Montanans have a chance to send a message back to Washington," he said, adding that that could start by electing Warburton, Hansen and Hutton to work to reverse the national policies.

Warburton, who said Hansen could not be at the rally because she was acting as chief deputy Hill County attorney in court this morning, said she would wants to continue her work to improve the future of Montana. When she returned to the state, she was disappointed by the lack of good-paying jobs, she said.

"It shouldn't be that way. We are the Treasure State and we need to start accessing our treasures," she said.

Warburton said the oil and gas coal reserves in the state, as well as its decimated timber industry, need revitalization. Democrats killed every bill to try to do that on party-line votes in the last session, she said.

"We can change this things on the state level if we can just get a Republican majority this session," she said.

Warburton said she would continue with her platform of pro-family, pro-life issues, supporting agriculture, reducing taxes to make it easier for employers and make the state more business friendly, and working to improve gun rights.

Hutton said one of his main points is the reduction of the business equipment tax, which would help bring business and jobs and keep Montana's young people here.

"Denny, I think we should cal that the tail-light tax," he said. "That way we could tax them one last time as they leave the state."

He said he also would oppose efforts for the state to regulate sex-education, referencing a recent hot-button issue in the Helena school district and legislation previously proposed in the Legislature.

Another issue that needs to be dealt with is the explosion of the use of medical marijuana, he said.

Both Essmann and Rehberg said the candidates in the Havre area show a clear contrast between the Democrat and Republican candidates, and congratulated the local Republican volunteers in their work to highlight those differences.

"If you believe in faith and family and freedom, then how could you not vote Republican Tuesday?" Rehberg said.