Senate candidate makes stop in Arlee
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ARLEE – Democratic Senate nominee Amanda Curtis stopped in Arlee at the Community Center Thursday evening, adding to the 6,000 miles she’s logged traveling across the state asking people to vote for her in the November election against Republican nominee Steve Daines.
The event marked the 40th day of her campaign, which is the halfway point between the day her candidacy was announced due to a switch in nominees and election day.
“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with peach cobbler in Arlee, Montana,” she said during her speech.
She took to the podium saying she was ready for the job. Curtis explained that three things set her apart from past Montana senators, not including a small nose ring she plans to keep.
“I’ll be the youngest senator, the first woman (for Montana) and dare I say the poorest,” she said.
After the speech, the 35-year-old candidate explained to 12-year-old Abby Baldwin that there hasn’t ever been a female senator in Montana. One woman – Jeannette Rankin – made it to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1916.
“That needs to change,” Abby said.
As far as being poor, Curtis, a math teacher from Butte, said teachers don’t make a lot monetarily compared to many professions. She also said her campaign hasn’t had much time to acquire funds.
“We have no money for TV ads and signs,” Kassie Parson, the Lake County Democrat’s precinct chairman said, explaining why the event wasn’t covered in signs and why many haven’t seen Curtis in any TV ads.
The campaign raised $450,000 in the past month. Supporters in Arlee held an impromptu auction with a loaf of homemade bread along with other donations. The highest bidder came in at $175. It was donated back for a second round for another $100. A third round went for $50.
On the issues, Curtis is pro-choice for women and wants stricter gun laws for criminals and people with mental illness. On the conflict in Syria and Iraq, she had this to say:
“We can’t be the policemen of the world, but ISIS is a terrible group. They have no respect for human life. We need to provide equipment and finish it as soon as possible.”
Education is high on her list of priorities.
“Education is key to overcoming adversity,” she said.
Curtis said she was ready for upcoming debates and another 40-days of campaigning across the state.
