Salomon, Walawander vie for House District 12
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The two candidates for House District 12 are two men who present different sets of skills and experience, but both say they’re ready to tackle the work ahead.
While working as a legislative assistant in the 2011 Montana Legislature, Luke Walawander watched a state senator from Great Falls fight passionately to bring funding to the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind.
That’s when Walawander realized that he wanted to stand up and fight for the citizens of Lake County and the Flathead Indian Reservation.
At 25 years old, Walawander is eager to take a seat at the table in Helena.
“I am proud to represent a younger generation of Montanans, as well as give back to those generations who have provided so much,” he said.
Born and raised in Arlee, Walawander attended high school in Missoula. He graduated from King College in Bristol, Tenn., where he received an honors degree in International Business. He has taught English in Prague, Czech Republic, and served as an AmeriCorps Volunteer for two years.
He moved back to the community a year ago and works for Lake County Community Development Corporation in Ronan that provides assistance and support to small businesses, entrepreneurs, agriculture producers and manufacturers.
“We work daily with partners and members from across the community on how we can help grow, create, and retain jobs in the Mission Valley and the region,” Walawander shared.
Experience is what Daniel Salomon said sets him apart from his opponent.
Over the past 35 years, Salomon has served on many different local, county and state boards.
“I have understanding of a wide variety of diverse areas and topics from Council on Aging to the Aquatic Invasive species that are threatening our waterways,” Salomon said.
Salomon, 55, is a lifetime resident of the Mission Valley. He graduated from Ronan High School in 1975 and Montana State University in 1979. After graduating from Montana State University with a degree in Agriculture Production, he returned to the family dairy farm.
“My 35 years in business as a dairyman and farmer help me on the House Business and Labor Committee, while my 13 years on the Ronan School Board provide me with a solid understanding of the issues I was presented as a member of the House Education Committee,” Salomon said. “My lifetime in agriculture was invaluable while serving on the House Agriculture Committee.”
Walawander said his aim is to represent everyone in House District 12 and the Mission Valley, both tribal and non-tribal, Democrat and Republican.
“I am different from the other candidates, and my opponent, because I want to represent everyone in our community,” Walawander said. “Not just those who vote for me. And not just those who have similar interests.”
Salomon is running because he said there is a lot of unfinished business that needs to be completed.
He pointed to the last session when both the business equipment tax and work compensation rates were reduced, in addition to reducing the budget more than 6 percent while creating a smaller and more efficient government.
“Unfortunately, we were not allowed to pass medical malpractice reform, tort reform, insurance reforms, and bills covering healthcare sharing ministries,” he said. “These are all part of the work ahead.”
When asked what issues are most important to them, the two men both believe the economy and education are top priority.
Salomon’s top three issues include economic development, the budget and education.
“We have the potential to become the ‘Treasure State’ again,” Salomon stressed. “We need to do this development in a prudent, responsible and timely manner.”
Next, he wants to tackle the state’s liabilities and examine the surplus in the next budget.
“The biggest of these will be the state’s retirement system. It will be scrutinized, and hopefully a plan will come forward that will provide a long-term solution, not just Band-aid it with an influx of one-time money,” he explained.
He said while many legislators are already lining up with ways to spend this hoped-for surplus, he thinks some of this money should go back to the hardworking people who initially earned it.
“This would stimulate our state’s economy even more,” he added. “Along with this, some forms of property tax relief are being discussed and researched.”
Lastly, Salomon believes children are the key to Montana’s future.
“Giving a child the opportunity to a quality education is paramount,” he said. “Education is changing in the way it is being delivered, as well as the funding of it.”
Due to the development of oil, gas, and coal in Eastern Montana, Salomon said there looms a large issue as to how much of this tax money should go to local school districts, local counties for mitigating county services, and to the state to pay their share of education funding.
“This will be one of the biggest issues in the next session,” he said.
Walawander’s top three issues are economic development, education, and family prosperity.
“I believe that these issues, and many others, are interconnected and require this thoughtful approach when considering legislation,” he shared. “We need to continue improving the private sector’s ability to flourish by working on such issues as addressing worker’s compensation, examining the need of Montana’s business equipment tax, and exploring infrastructure improvements that would put Montanans back to work.”
Walawander also believes our budget should reflect the community’s values.
“Whether it’s workforce development, K-12, or the university system, investing in education is a priority and a statement we send forward,” he said. “Through these priorities and others, I believe citizen legislators will be able to help improve the quality of life and family prosperity of Montanans. I am honored to ask the support of the community in electing me as our next representative from House District 12.”
If elected as a member of the Montana House of Representatives, Salomon or Walawander would serve a two-year term, with the ability to serve in the same office no more than eight years in any sixteen-year time span. As a legislator the winner would be paid a little more than $10 an hour during the legislative session and may also receive an allowance or stipend to help offset costs to travel to Helena.
