Local candidates for Montana State Senate introduce themselves
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Montana’s state senators collaborate with the state’s governor and house of representatives to create laws and set a state budget. There are 50 senators who serve four-year terms. Half the members of the senate are elected every two years.
On June 2, Montanans will vote in a primary election to determine which candidate will run for each party, in each district. The general election, which will determine the state’s senators, will be held November 3.
Senate District 47 candidates
Daniel Salomon, Republican, is a former house representative and dairy farmer. He is the incumbent for the senate seat in District 47. In addition to farming, Salomon served on the Ronan School Board for 13 years.
According to Salomon, his greatest strength is his experience. He has worked in the legislature for 10 years. He carried and passed 13 bills last session, including legislation regarding education, insurance, banking and agriculture.
Salomon said as a member of the Senate Finance Committee he plans to work to optimize the budget in the face of uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salomon has lived in the Mission Valley for his entire life. He graduated from Montana State University with a BS in agricultural production. He and his wife have three daughters and seven grandchildren.
Gary Marbut, of the Green Party, has a background as an educator. He’s taught skiing, emergency medicine and fire science. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He has also advocated for limiting regulation on firearms. Marbut said his dedication to individual liberty would drive his service if he were elected. “I will evaluate all proposals for whether they shift power and choice from people to government, or from government to people,” Marbut said. Marbut wants to limit the reach of government in favor of allowing individuals to have power.
Marbut lives near Missoula, Montana, with his wife in an energy-efficient home he built himself. He has children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Devin Braaten, of the Libertarian Party, works as a certified nurse assistant and advocates for limited government. “I feel the Montana State Government has failed to protect every Montanan’s rights,” Braaten said. “That the government has served only to promote the benefit and well-being of certain groups and big business.”
Braaten said he would use this position to reduce government oversight over business. He said that if he is elected, he would focus on criminal justice reform to reduce overcrowding in jails. He would advocate to provide nonviolent offenders with counseling services rather than incarceration. He would also work to lower taxes.
Braaten grew up in Haines, Alaska. He attended college in North Dakota. Now, he, his parents, grandparents and his sister live in Montana.
Democrat Chase Porter Gay is also running for the seat in District 47 but did not respond to requests for comment.
Senate District 6
Candidate Greg Hertz, Republican, is running unopposed. He currently represents House District 12. The primaries for state senate will be held on June 2.
