Each summary is supported by the candidate's own words from a campaign source, direct candidate response, or official primary record retained with the profile.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate position1. Closed-Loop Cooling. This means that we will not allow a simple one-way column of water to first be extracted from either ground- or surface-waters, run through the facility, and then drained back downstream. A closed-loop system can very nearly eliminate the need for a continuous water supply. There are advanced closed-loop systems that are even more efficient in terms of water use, or don’t use water-based cooling at all. Closed-loop cooling should be considered non-negotiable for all current/new systems in Montana.
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1. Closed-Loop Cooling. This means that we will not allow a simple one-way column of water to first be extracted from either ground- or surface-waters, run through the facility, and then drained back downstream. A closed-loop system can very nearly eliminate the need for a continuous water supply. There are advanced closed-loop systems that are even more efficient in terms of water use, or don’t use water-based cooling at all. Closed-loop cooling should be considered non-negotiable for all current/new systems in Montana.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate position2. Power Consumption and Generation. This means that any proposed data center must provide for its’ own power needs, whether by novel-purchase or by new power generation. But it’s not just that – they must account for, and provide for, at least 200-300% of their expected needs to account for programmed growth. It is only in this way, that the local and regional consumer can be protected from higher electricity rates – nobody wants to see that happen. These assurances must be durable, and long-standing into the future for at least 10 years (with a potential guarantee-bond requirement for grid-reliability?).
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2. Power Consumption and Generation. This means that any proposed data center must provide for its’ own power needs, whether by novel-purchase or by new power generation. But it’s not just that – they must account for, and provide for, at least 200-300% of their expected needs to account for programmed growth. It is only in this way, that the local and regional consumer can be protected from higher electricity rates – nobody wants to see that happen. These assurances must be durable, and long-standing into the future for at least 10 years (with a potential guarantee-bond requirement for grid-reliability?).
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate position4. Safeguards and Rules of Engagement (ROE). This is where the ground-rules are set and agreed upon, before construction ever begins. Certain guardrails are needed – and expected – by both our local and regional communities and the building organization(s). Not every facility needs to be governed by the same set of guardrails; this is and should be a point of conjoined local and regional negotiations. This committee does not need 2 years to develop a work product – it might take 90-120 days, at most. The committee should be comprised of a reasonable number of representatives (of not more than 12 to 15 in total?) from the builder, operator, power-source operator, environmental protection agencies, local citizens, local elected leaders, the local workforce, and a conservation-minded community member. It does not need to be driven at the federal or state level, and should likely be limited in membership to only one state-wide politician or appointed official.
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4. Safeguards and Rules of Engagement (ROE). This is where the ground-rules are set and agreed upon, before construction ever begins. Certain guardrails are needed – and expected – by both our local and regional communities and the building organization(s). Not every facility needs to be governed by the same set of guardrails; this is and should be a point of conjoined local and regional negotiations. This committee does not need 2 years to develop a work product – it might take 90-120 days, at most. The committee should be comprised of a reasonable number of representatives (of not more than 12 to 15 in total?) from the builder, operator, power-source operator, environmental protection agencies, local citizens, local elected leaders, the local workforce, and a conservation-minded community member. It does not need to be driven at the federal or state level, and should likely be limited in membership to only one state-wide politician or appointed official.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate position5. Local Control is Paramount. I do not believe in either a federal or statewide mandate in either direction, for or against, with respect to data centers. Some communities may not want them, whereas other communities may. Some may not be interested the tax-base and local employment opportunities (or community enhancements), whereas others may be interested. It is a matter of local and regional choice – if for no other reason than that they are the group most likely to be affected by any ultimate decision to proceed.
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5. Local Control is Paramount. I do not believe in either a federal or statewide mandate in either direction, for or against, with respect to data centers. Some communities may not want them, whereas other communities may. Some may not be interested the tax-base and local employment opportunities (or community enhancements), whereas others may be interested. It is a matter of local and regional choice – if for no other reason than that they are the group most likely to be affected by any ultimate decision to proceed.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionTo be clear-eyed, I disagree with a permanent statewide ban on data centers, and I do not support a 2-year moratorium because it simply should not take 2 years to reach and then register these local and regional agreements. That said, I am strongly in favor of local decision-making, and that may well take the form of a formal vote of the local/regional populace by direct tally or other means, should local officials determine that to be either wise or necessary. I agree with and fully support the rights and abilities for any local petitioning process to take place, insofar as it can be completed in a timely manner and not drawn out (for example: not longer than 3 or 4 months, with a popular vote to take place at the soonest opportunity).
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To be clear-eyed, I disagree with a permanent statewide ban on data centers, and I do not support a 2-year moratorium because it simply should not take 2 years to reach and then register these local and regional agreements. That said, I am strongly in favor of local decision-making, and that may well take the form of a formal vote of the local/regional populace by direct tally or other means, should local officials determine that to be either wise or necessary. I agree with and fully support the rights and abilities for any local petitioning process to take place, insofar as it can be completed in a timely manner and not drawn out (for example: not longer than 3 or 4 months, with a popular vote to take place at the soonest opportunity).
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionTariffs will not make America rich again. Instead, tariffs are an indirect tax on Americans that will inevitably be passed along in the form of higher prices for imported goods and business inputs; this leads to higher inflation and pressures companies to cut jobs or delay growth. We’ve already seen the administration begin to reduce those tariffs in certain sectors in an effort to stem losses and falling popular support.
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Tariffs will not make America rich again. Instead, tariffs are an indirect tax on Americans that will inevitably be passed along in the form of higher prices for imported goods and business inputs; this leads to higher inflation and pressures companies to cut jobs or delay growth. We’ve already seen the administration begin to reduce those tariffs in certain sectors in an effort to stem losses and falling popular support.
Health care
Candidate positionAny successful effort must first protect a person’s ability to see the doctor of their choice, and must retain coverage for preexisting conditions. I do not believe that a single-payer system will be workable, and if government-operated will inevitably raise taxes significantly. Above all else, I will fight hard to defend and protect rural healthcare in Montana.
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Any successful effort must first protect a person’s ability to see the doctor of their choice, and must retain coverage for preexisting conditions. I do not believe that a single-payer system will be workable, and if government-operated will inevitably raise taxes significantly. Above all else, I will fight hard to defend and protect rural healthcare in Montana.
Housing
Candidate positionEnact new laws that will allow all home-mortgages to be transferable with minimal penalty of no more than 0.5% rate increase, thereby freeing up home equity
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Enact new laws that will allow all home-mortgages to be transferable with minimal penalty of no more than 0.5% rate increase, thereby freeing up home equity
Housing
Candidate positionProvide incentives for modular or manufactured home construction
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Provide incentives for modular or manufactured home construction
Housing
Candidate positionIncrease property tax rates for corporate or large-volume private-equity landlords (this will require provisions that the increases are not passed through to individual renters)
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Increase property tax rates for corporate or large-volume private-equity landlords (this will require provisions that the increases are not passed through to individual renters)
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionReduce tariffs on lumber and building supplies
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Reduce tariffs on lumber and building supplies
Retirement security and Social Security
Candidate positionMontanans know what officials in Washington seem to have forgotten – Social Security benefits were earned by Americans by putting in a hard days’ work and paying into the fund for decades. Social Security trust funds belong to the people, and not to Wall Street bankers or Washington. Because of this, it is not appropriate to invest Social Security trust funds into riskier assets such as the open stock market rather than more secure US Government Securities.
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Montanans know what officials in Washington seem to have forgotten – Social Security benefits were earned by Americans by putting in a hard days’ work and paying into the fund for decades. Social Security trust funds belong to the people, and not to Wall Street bankers or Washington. Because of this, it is not appropriate to invest Social Security trust funds into riskier assets such as the open stock market rather than more secure US Government Securities.
Retirement security and Social Security
Candidate positionAs your Representative in Congress, I will work in a bipartisan and fiscally responsible manner to protect Social Security and Medicare, and to deliver effective cost-of-living increases, without the need to raise the retirement age.
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As your Representative in Congress, I will work in a bipartisan and fiscally responsible manner to protect Social Security and Medicare, and to deliver effective cost-of-living increases, without the need to raise the retirement age.
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionSolution #1: Conventional bailouts do not benefit the Farmer substantially, and will not fix the underlaying problem. We need long-term solutions, while providing a safety-net in the short term in some form of farm-aid in order to prevent a further acute rise in farm/ranch bankruptcies. However, it is also recognized that most of the money received from the federal government in the form of a conventional bailout will simply pass through to those few very large corporations who control both the inputs for farming (high prices for seed, fertilizer and equipment) and the outputs (low grain prices at harvest). So essentially, those bailouts may pad the profit margin of the corporations and not the farmer – who is merely a conduit that passes most of the stipend on to large corporations and financial institutions at taxpayer expense.
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Solution #1: Conventional bailouts do not benefit the Farmer substantially, and will not fix the underlaying problem. We need long-term solutions, while providing a safety-net in the short term in some form of farm-aid in order to prevent a further acute rise in farm/ranch bankruptcies. However, it is also recognized that most of the money received from the federal government in the form of a conventional bailout will simply pass through to those few very large corporations who control both the inputs for farming (high prices for seed, fertilizer and equipment) and the outputs (low grain prices at harvest). So essentially, those bailouts may pad the profit margin of the corporations and not the farmer – who is merely a conduit that passes most of the stipend on to large corporations and financial institutions at taxpayer expense.
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionSolution #3: We must address the lack of competition for input suppliers (seed and fertilizer, in particular). This will very likely require significant anti-trust legislation and legal enforcement, and may require a physical corporate break-up to reverse prior mergers.
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Solution #3: We must address the lack of competition for input suppliers (seed and fertilizer, in particular). This will very likely require significant anti-trust legislation and legal enforcement, and may require a physical corporate break-up to reverse prior mergers.
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionSolution #4: The federal government may need to set a reasonable but formal ‘price floor’ for certain agricultural products, to determine a guaranteed minimum price for which farmers can sell their product(s). This form of federal subsidy is far more likely to benefit the farmer or rancher, because it stays with the farmer and encourages him/her to be more efficient and thereby motivates performance. It does not directly benefit the corporations – they will then also be motivated to become more efficient and to motivate performance to maintain their own margins. This concept can become a slippery-slope, as prior USDA/FSA efforts have sometimes resulted in huge grain reserves like that seen in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s.
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Solution #4: The federal government may need to set a reasonable but formal ‘price floor’ for certain agricultural products, to determine a guaranteed minimum price for which farmers can sell their product(s). This form of federal subsidy is far more likely to benefit the farmer or rancher, because it stays with the farmer and encourages him/her to be more efficient and thereby motivates performance. It does not directly benefit the corporations – they will then also be motivated to become more efficient and to motivate performance to maintain their own margins. This concept can become a slippery-slope, as prior USDA/FSA efforts have sometimes resulted in huge grain reserves like that seen in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s.
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionSolution #5: Congress must take back control over tariffs and trade policy. The Constitution gives Congress — not the President — the power to impose tariffs. Article I, Section 8 clearly states that lawmakers have the authority “to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises.” For much of American history, this was a core congressional prerogative. But over the past century (especially after the economic catastrophe of the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act), Congress began steadily ceding this power to the executive branch, hoping presidents would take a broader, less protectionist view.
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Solution #5: Congress must take back control over tariffs and trade policy. The Constitution gives Congress — not the President — the power to impose tariffs. Article I, Section 8 clearly states that lawmakers have the authority “to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises.” For much of American history, this was a core congressional prerogative. But over the past century (especially after the economic catastrophe of the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act), Congress began steadily ceding this power to the executive branch, hoping presidents would take a broader, less protectionist view.
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate position3. Montana Labor Builds and Operates Montana Facilities. We do not need out-sourced construction teams coming in to displace available labor in Montana – or those who might then take shortcuts or are not familiar with Montana’s environmental laws and regulations. This is pretty straight-forward, and has been already largely agreed to by major corporations wanting to build these facilities in our State.
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3. Montana Labor Builds and Operates Montana Facilities. We do not need out-sourced construction teams coming in to displace available labor in Montana – or those who might then take shortcuts or are not familiar with Montana’s environmental laws and regulations. This is pretty straight-forward, and has been already largely agreed to by major corporations wanting to build these facilities in our State.
Education
Candidate positionWherever possible, employee training or registered apprenticeship programs should be taken advantage of (or developed) to hire local citizens as a skilled workforce to operate and maintain these facilities, long-term.
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Wherever possible, employee training or registered apprenticeship programs should be taken advantage of (or developed) to hire local citizens as a skilled workforce to operate and maintain these facilities, long-term.
Democracy, ethics, and the rule of law
Candidate positionCommunity transparency. Communities must have a meaningful say in project approvals and community benefits packages.
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Community transparency. Communities must have a meaningful say in project approvals and community benefits packages.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionNo rate hikes. Data centers must pay for their own energy demand – costs cannot be passed onto ratepayers.
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No rate hikes. Data centers must pay for their own energy demand – costs cannot be passed onto ratepayers.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionEnergy reliability. Projects must include enforceable commitments from utilities to improve energy reliability, as funded entirely by data center revenues.
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Energy reliability. Projects must include enforceable commitments from utilities to improve energy reliability, as funded entirely by data center revenues.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionNo clean-energy loopholes. Utilities cannot use data-center projects to weaken or sidestep other clean energy laws or regulations.
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No clean-energy loopholes. Utilities cannot use data-center projects to weaken or sidestep other clean energy laws or regulations.
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionJobs guarantee. Montana labor builds and operates, or face significant penalties.
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Jobs guarantee. Montana labor builds and operates, or face significant penalties.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionWater protection and waste-matter safety. Firm and enforceable limits on water use and hazardous-material waste processing.
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Water protection and waste-matter safety. Firm and enforceable limits on water use and hazardous-material waste processing.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionCommunity benefits agreements. Projects should include binding agreements that deliver real benefits to a local/regional community, including local infrastructure investments, improvements to the electrical grid, burying power lines, and/or upgrading water treatment facilities and piping. This list is not inclusive – each local/regional community may have their own preferred agreements based upon local need.
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Community benefits agreements. Projects should include binding agreements that deliver real benefits to a local/regional community, including local infrastructure investments, improvements to the electrical grid, burying power lines, and/or upgrading water treatment facilities and piping. This list is not inclusive – each local/regional community may have their own preferred agreements based upon local need.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionEnforceability. All agreements must be enforceable through actionable penalties that have teeth.
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Enforceability. All agreements must be enforceable through actionable penalties that have teeth.
Housing
Candidate positionZoning changes that remove barriers to the construction of duplexes, triplexes or multi-family housing in residential areas
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Zoning changes that remove barriers to the construction of duplexes, triplexes or multi-family housing in residential areas
Housing
Candidate positionGovernment incentives to municipalities to open larger tracts of land for development
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Government incentives to municipalities to open larger tracts of land for development
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionEnforce antitrust laws against real estate entities that are “price-fixing” rents
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Enforce antitrust laws against real estate entities that are “price-fixing” rents
Housing
Candidate positionSignificant down-payment assistance to 1st-time homebuyers
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Significant down-payment assistance to 1st-time homebuyers
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionTax incentives for home builders to encourage multi-family dwelling construction
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Tax incentives for home builders to encourage multi-family dwelling construction
Housing
Candidate positionProperty tax relief to qualified homeowners, and to 1st-time homebuyers for the first 3 years
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Property tax relief to qualified homeowners, and to 1st-time homebuyers for the first 3 years
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionTargeted reductions in capital gains taxes for older homeowners, thereby avoiding a significant tax penalty
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Targeted reductions in capital gains taxes for older homeowners, thereby avoiding a significant tax penalty
Housing
Candidate positionImprove financing terms (i.e.: interest rate adjustments or subsidies) for qualified purchase/rehab/repair loans
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Improve financing terms (i.e.: interest rate adjustments or subsidies) for qualified purchase/rehab/repair loans
Housing
Candidate positionPrioritize offers from buyers at foreclosure auctions who plan to live in the home themselves
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Prioritize offers from buyers at foreclosure auctions who plan to live in the home themselves
National security, foreign policy, technology, and veterans
Candidate positionSolution #2: The sale of agricultural lands or assets to foreign entities must be curtailed, and the sale to large multi-national corporate entities must be controlled. Foreign entities must not be allowed to buy our meat-processing facilities for the same reason. Stronger enforcement and higher penalties need to be legislatively added into the American Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA).
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Solution #2: The sale of agricultural lands or assets to foreign entities must be curtailed, and the sale to large multi-national corporate entities must be controlled. Foreign entities must not be allowed to buy our meat-processing facilities for the same reason. Stronger enforcement and higher penalties need to be legislatively added into the American Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA).
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionSolution #6: End the War in the Middle East. But this must be done in a manner that retains free-access and unencumbered international shipping under customary international maritime laws. Without this, the world faces a prolonged period of time wherein the price of both fertilizers and fuels will be artificially increased.
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Solution #6: End the War in the Middle East. But this must be done in a manner that retains free-access and unencumbered international shipping under customary international maritime laws. Without this, the world faces a prolonged period of time wherein the price of both fertilizers and fuels will be artificially increased.
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionRecognize that tariffs represent a tax on the American consumer and small businesses, and not on the international manufacturer
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Recognize that tariffs represent a tax on the American consumer and small businesses, and not on the international manufacturer
Health care
Candidate positionWork with a bipartisan coalition to restore cuts in Medicaid and SNAP assistance, without delay
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Work with a bipartisan coalition to restore cuts in Medicaid and SNAP assistance, without delay
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionSupport efforts for targeted tax relief for the middle- and lower-classes, and for small business fairness
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Support efforts for targeted tax relief for the middle- and lower-classes, and for small business fairness
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionSupport bipartisan efforts to create reasonable tax rates for multi-national and large corporations
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Support bipartisan efforts to create reasonable tax rates for multi-national and large corporations
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionSelling off public lands in Montana won’t solve the housing crisis, but it will certainly impede public access for recreational or hunting purposes, and severely limit grazing or leases often granted to Montana’s ranchers. It also makes very little sense for the government to sell off potential mineral rights (or explorable energy assets) associated with these large tracts of public lands.
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Selling off public lands in Montana won’t solve the housing crisis, but it will certainly impede public access for recreational or hunting purposes, and severely limit grazing or leases often granted to Montana’s ranchers. It also makes very little sense for the government to sell off potential mineral rights (or explorable energy assets) associated with these large tracts of public lands.
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionOur country is literally a nation of immigrants, and we indeed should take pride in that fact. Immigrants should be welcomed but must enter the United States legally, and this process absolutely must be actively managed. Many agricultural sectors are dependent upon migrating workers to harvest their crops – this needs to be supported.
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Our country is literally a nation of immigrants, and we indeed should take pride in that fact. Immigrants should be welcomed but must enter the United States legally, and this process absolutely must be actively managed. Many agricultural sectors are dependent upon migrating workers to harvest their crops – this needs to be supported.
Immigration and border policy
Candidate positionThe concept of “open borders” is not a good thing; the very high numbers of illegal immigrants in the U.S. place a significant economic burden upon our citizenry (think healthcare dollars for emergency care, consumption of resources and effects on housing).
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The concept of “open borders” is not a good thing; the very high numbers of illegal immigrants in the U.S. place a significant economic burden upon our citizenry (think healthcare dollars for emergency care, consumption of resources and effects on housing).
Immigration and border policy
Candidate positionIt is entirely reasonable to remove illegal immigrants who have been convicted of serious crimes or violence against others. At the same time, I am worried that ICE is being overly aggressive or physical in their roundup of both legal and illegal immigrants — and this is a matter of training and (unprofessional?) leadership. If a person or family is here legally, they should not be anxious about being tossed into a detention center simply because they came from somewhere else.
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It is entirely reasonable to remove illegal immigrants who have been convicted of serious crimes or violence against others. At the same time, I am worried that ICE is being overly aggressive or physical in their roundup of both legal and illegal immigrants — and this is a matter of training and (unprofessional?) leadership. If a person or family is here legally, they should not be anxious about being tossed into a detention center simply because they came from somewhere else.
Immigration and border policy
Candidate positionI have a hard time thinking about deportation for Dreamers – those young adults who were brought into the U.S. by their parents when very young; they know no other life nor country. I do not think it is fair to force that young adult to deport to another country for which they feel no bond and may not even remember. Recent polls consistently show that a majority of Americans agree and believe that Dreamers should be allowed a pathway to legal status or citizenship.
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I have a hard time thinking about deportation for Dreamers – those young adults who were brought into the U.S. by their parents when very young; they know no other life nor country. I do not think it is fair to force that young adult to deport to another country for which they feel no bond and may not even remember. Recent polls consistently show that a majority of Americans agree and believe that Dreamers should be allowed a pathway to legal status or citizenship.
Health care
Candidate positionIf elected as your Representative, I will champion an effort to build temporary housing adjacent to existing VA facilities to shelter our displaced Veterans for up to 6 to 12 months, during which an emphasis on mental and physical healthcare can be effectively supported. This may take the form of dormitories or barracks-style living, with an employed social worker assigned to each facility to provide additional assistance with job-training, available VA or federal benefits, and to help arrange for longer-term and independent housing.
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If elected as your Representative, I will champion an effort to build temporary housing adjacent to existing VA facilities to shelter our displaced Veterans for up to 6 to 12 months, during which an emphasis on mental and physical healthcare can be effectively supported. This may take the form of dormitories or barracks-style living, with an employed social worker assigned to each facility to provide additional assistance with job-training, available VA or federal benefits, and to help arrange for longer-term and independent housing.
Taxes, economy, workers, agriculture, and affordability
Candidate positionThe Right to Repair is a bipartisan issue with the support of 84% of Americans. Sadly, opposition from industry and their powerful lobbyists has kept us from moving forward. As an Independent Representative, I can bring together a bipartisan coalition in support of a guaranteed Right to Repair.
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The Right to Repair is a bipartisan issue with the support of 84% of Americans. Sadly, opposition from industry and their powerful lobbyists has kept us from moving forward. As an Independent Representative, I can bring together a bipartisan coalition in support of a guaranteed Right to Repair.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionCongress must act to create a legislative and therefore enforceable environment to allow us to fix our broken equipment, rather than be forced to replace it.
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Congress must act to create a legislative and therefore enforceable environment to allow us to fix our broken equipment, rather than be forced to replace it.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionI support an “all of the above” energy policy that supports a wide range of domestic energy sources, including both non-renewable sources like oil, natural gas, and coal, and renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal – and nuclear. The economics of energy production should be trusted to determine when each may be economically viable, or which is best used in any particular region or situation.
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I support an “all of the above” energy policy that supports a wide range of domestic energy sources, including both non-renewable sources like oil, natural gas, and coal, and renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal – and nuclear. The economics of energy production should be trusted to determine when each may be economically viable, or which is best used in any particular region or situation.
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionPromote ‘all of the above’ energy policies supporting oil/gas/coal industries and energy production in Montana, for both domestic use and international export
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Promote ‘all of the above’ energy policies supporting oil/gas/coal industries and energy production in Montana, for both domestic use and international export
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionWork in a bipartisan manner to federally invest into Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs), and to foster a growing nuclear power industry
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Work in a bipartisan manner to federally invest into Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs), and to foster a growing nuclear power industry
Health care
Candidate positionFight to restore full and permanent tele-health coverage for all mental or behavioral health issues
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Fight to restore full and permanent tele-health coverage for all mental or behavioral health issues
Health care
Candidate positionWork to restore full funding for Montana-DPHSS programming for Suicide Prevention
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Work to restore full funding for Montana-DPHSS programming for Suicide Prevention
Health care
Candidate positionSpeak openly about negative stigma surrounding mental health care – and why that stigma is not logical and not real
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Speak openly about negative stigma surrounding mental health care – and why that stigma is not logical and not real
Health care
Candidate positionSupport enhanced VA funding for Veteran’s mental health care
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Support enhanced VA funding for Veteran’s mental health care
Public safety and criminal justice
Candidate positionTogether with our State and Local leaders, I will work to protect and increase federal funding for these vital services; I will make sure that Montana law enforcement and first responders always have the resources they need.
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Together with our State and Local leaders, I will work to protect and increase federal funding for these vital services; I will make sure that Montana law enforcement and first responders always have the resources they need.
Education
Candidate positionI do not think that it was wise to shut down the federal Department of Education. The department currently oversees vital programs like Title I ($18.4 billion for low-income schools), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA; $15.5 billion for special education), and the federal student loan system ($1.6 trillion in loans). The arguments about the federal Department of Education controlling school curricula or agenda items is largely false. The very high majority of control over public school curriculum is shared between local school boards and state education departments.
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I do not think that it was wise to shut down the federal Department of Education. The department currently oversees vital programs like Title I ($18.4 billion for low-income schools), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA; $15.5 billion for special education), and the federal student loan system ($1.6 trillion in loans). The arguments about the federal Department of Education controlling school curricula or agenda items is largely false. The very high majority of control over public school curriculum is shared between local school boards and state education departments.
Education
Candidate positionResources for teacher training
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Resources for teacher training
Education
Candidate positionIncreased transportation funding for rural or consolidated schools
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Increased transportation funding for rural or consolidated schools
Education
Candidate positionIncentives for students seeking trade school or community college education
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Incentives for students seeking trade school or community college education
Education
Candidate positionFund school lunches for those who need it, without question
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Fund school lunches for those who need it, without question
Education
Candidate positionFull IDEA funding to the federally-mandated 40% threshold
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Full IDEA funding to the federally-mandated 40% threshold
Education
Candidate positionPrograms to freeze or reduce tuition and fees for colleges and universities
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Programs to freeze or reduce tuition and fees for colleges and universities
Education
Candidate positionIncreased financial support and grants for community colleges and 2-year junior colleges
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Increased financial support and grants for community colleges and 2-year junior colleges
Education
Candidate positionBlanket student loan forgiveness
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Blanket student loan forgiveness
Education
Candidate positionAbolishing the Department of Education entirely
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Abolishing the Department of Education entirely
National security, foreign policy, technology, and veterans
Candidate positionAt an absolute minimum promote legislation that all AI-generated materials be clearly labeled and identified
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At an absolute minimum promote legislation that all AI-generated materials be clearly labeled and identified
Energy, environment, public lands, and utilities
Candidate positionPromote a bipartisan effort to review current EU regulations and to develop a comprehensive plan for effective monitoring, with a focus on ensuring the ethical use of AI, safeguarding human rights and safety, mitigating social and economic impact, and protecting national security (i.e.: exposures to the national power grid).
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Promote a bipartisan effort to review current EU regulations and to develop a comprehensive plan for effective monitoring, with a focus on ensuring the ethical use of AI, safeguarding human rights and safety, mitigating social and economic impact, and protecting national security (i.e.: exposures to the national power grid).
Reproductive rights
Candidate positionI am, and will remain firmly Pro-Choice.
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I am, and will remain firmly Pro-Choice.
Reproductive rights
Candidate positionMy own personal thoughts are that although I may not like the concept of abortion, as a physician I am professionally bound by higher concerns about adverse effects upon women’s reproductive health as well as potential increased maternal and fetal mortality that followed the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in the Dobbs case (which essentially overturned Roe v. Wade). Women should not have to travel across state lines to get desired or necessary medical care, nor should they have to blindly order prescriptions over the internet to get abortive medications in the absence of available supervisory medical care in their home states.
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My own personal thoughts are that although I may not like the concept of abortion, as a physician I am professionally bound by higher concerns about adverse effects upon women’s reproductive health as well as potential increased maternal and fetal mortality that followed the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in the Dobbs case (which essentially overturned Roe v. Wade). Women should not have to travel across state lines to get desired or necessary medical care, nor should they have to blindly order prescriptions over the internet to get abortive medications in the absence of available supervisory medical care in their home states.
Gun policy
Candidate positionWithout question, I support the 2nd Amendment and the right to own and bear arms for lawful purposes. Period. Montana has a strong heritage of gun ownership which must be respected and should not be infringed.
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Without question, I support the 2nd Amendment and the right to own and bear arms for lawful purposes. Period. Montana has a strong heritage of gun ownership which must be respected and should not be infringed.
Gun policy
Candidate positionMultiple national surveys have found that 85% or more of Americans support universal background checks, with overwhelming support from both gun owners and non-gun owners alike. It is time to revise the process – Congress has been negligent by not getting this done given its high level of public support. The existing background check process needs to be bolstered and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) system rendered more effective by enhancing the consistency and timeliness of reporting from local, state, tribal and federal agencies.
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Multiple national surveys have found that 85% or more of Americans support universal background checks, with overwhelming support from both gun owners and non-gun owners alike. It is time to revise the process – Congress has been negligent by not getting this done given its high level of public support. The existing background check process needs to be bolstered and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) system rendered more effective by enhancing the consistency and timeliness of reporting from local, state, tribal and federal agencies.
Gun policy
Candidate positionNational Firearms Act (NFA): The NFA should be retained but revised — it makes sense to prevent the sale of fully-automatic weapons and grenade launchers to the public at large, but other current restrictions have little impact upon gun crimes (i.e.: a difference of 2 inches in barrel length does nothing to prevent illicit use). Effective January 1, 2026, the federal tax stamp fee for National Firearms Act (NFA) items, including suppressors and short-barreled rifles, was reduced from $200 to $0. While the monetary fee has been eliminated, the legal requirement to register these items by filing an ATF Form 1 or Form 4, submitting fingerprints, and passing a background check remains fully in effect.
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National Firearms Act (NFA): The NFA should be retained but revised — it makes sense to prevent the sale of fully-automatic weapons and grenade launchers to the public at large, but other current restrictions have little impact upon gun crimes (i.e.: a difference of 2 inches in barrel length does nothing to prevent illicit use). Effective January 1, 2026, the federal tax stamp fee for National Firearms Act (NFA) items, including suppressors and short-barreled rifles, was reduced from $200 to $0. While the monetary fee has been eliminated, the legal requirement to register these items by filing an ATF Form 1 or Form 4, submitting fingerprints, and passing a background check remains fully in effect.
Gun policy
Candidate positionRegulating a 72-hour wait-period between purchase and taking possession of a firearm, including gun shows (I think any responsible gun-owner will be willing to wait 72 hours to pick up in an effort to curb violence and self-harm)
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Regulating a 72-hour wait-period between purchase and taking possession of a firearm, including gun shows (I think any responsible gun-owner will be willing to wait 72 hours to pick up in an effort to curb violence and self-harm)
Gun policy
Candidate positionEliminating the “gun-show loophole” (should be treated the same as a commercial point-of-sale)
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Eliminating the “gun-show loophole” (should be treated the same as a commercial point-of-sale)
Gun policy
Candidate positionRevising the NFA to exclude mandatory ATF Form 1 or Form 4 submission for sound-suppressive devices and short-barreled long guns.
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Revising the NFA to exclude mandatory ATF Form 1 or Form 4 submission for sound-suppressive devices and short-barreled long guns.
Democracy, ethics, and the rule of law
Candidate positionTwo terms in the Senate (total of 12 years)
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Two terms in the Senate (total of 12 years)
Democracy, ethics, and the rule of law
Candidate positionThree terms in the House of Representatives (total of 6 years)
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Three terms in the House of Representatives (total of 6 years)
