Democrats Tester, Williams, Kaercher Stump in Glasgow

Democratic Senator John Tester campaigned in Glasgow Oct. 19 alongside Democratic Congressional candidate Kathleen Williams and candidate for District 1 Public Service Commission Doug Kaercher. The event, which was held at the Glasgow Elk's Lodge, featured a meet and greet period followed by get out the vote words of encouragement by the candidates.

Tester kicked off the event with a brief introduction and a few words about motivating the public to vote. Tester highlighted the partisan divides in Washington while discussing his record of achievements in D.C. and working across the aisle. He emphasized negotiating as part of governing and said, "In Washington D.C., right now it's more like getting in your corner and fighting like hell and the only thing that matters is winning the next election."

Tester encouraged those present to get out and vote and to take their friends to the polling booth. He commented, "Our democracy is based on people voting." Tester is running for reelection to the Senate against challenger and State Auditor Matt Rosendale on the Republican ticket.

Tester was followed by Democratic Congressional nominee Kathleen Williams, who is seeking to oust Congressman Greg Gianforte from his seat in the U.S. House. Williams, who has worked in the Montana State Legislature, said she was, "Running against Greg to give Montana a better representation in the House."

She touted a love of the outdoors, music and hard work to the audience. She also talked about her priorities of fixing health care by focusing on the individual markets and lowering costs to families. She discussed her ambitions of fostering opportunity for Montanans. She singled out education, women's health, freedom from discrimination, protecting Montana's outdoor heritage and rebuilding the U.S.'s place in the world, especially with export markets which she said was hurting Montana's agricultural producers.

"Montana's farmers and ranchers deserve to reap the benefits, with pun intended, of international trade," explained Williams to the crowd. She also singled out her opponent by stating Gianforte had not stood up for Montana's farmers on trade.

She also attacked Gianforte for President Donald Trump's joking at a campaign rally in Missoula on Oct. 18 about his body slamming Guardian Reporter Ben Jacobs on the eve of the 2017 Special Election to fill the seat vacated by Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. She stated, "Just yesterday he was lauded by his allies for supporting violence and lying about it."

Williams was followed by PSC candidate Doug Kaercher, of Havre, who is running for the seat against Randy Pinnochi, of Cascade. He began with a rift about the size of the 19 county district saying, "I think I've travelled a little over 30,000 miles in this 19 county district so far."

Kaercher focused on the postitves and asked for support from the crowd. He stated that he was running for the position because he felt he had the skills to do the job right and to do it with the consumers' interest in mind. He also added, "I actually like a challenge and especially a challenge that I can make a difference in."