Montana Chapter of National Organization for Women cites candidates’ ‘unwavering commitment’ to supporting human rights
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GREAT FALLS, Mont. — The Montana Chapter of NOW, the National Organization for Women, has formally endorsed the gubernatorial campaign of Ryan Busse, citing the former firearms executive’s “unwavering commitment to championing human rights—especially the rights of the diversity of women and girls.”
“Ryan Busse is the leader Montana desperately needs after four dangerous years of our current governor rolling back basic rights and freedoms,” said Jan Strout, president of Montana NOW. “Both Ryan and Raph Graybill are listeners. And, similar to Montana NOW’s mission, they will take action on what they learn in order to save lives, protect our bodily autonomy and defend our human rights. They care deeply about the Montana Constitution and have shown us their unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of marginalized people and communities. We enthusiastically endorse their candidacy for governor and lieutenant governor of Montana.”
Busse and Graybill, a constitutional attorney, earned the endorsement from Montana NOW through their deep and genuine commitments to:
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- Reproductive Rights and Justice
- Constitutional Equality
- Ending Violence Against Women
- Racial Justice
- LGBTQIA+ Rights
- Economic Justice
During the endorsement process, Busse highlighted his admiration of the Montana Constitution, which he calls “one of the most important, egalitarian documents ever conceived.”
“The Montana Constitution is a foundational document—something I consider one of the most profound and important in this nation—and the rights and freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution are also not up for debate,” Busse told Montana NOW. “As governor, I will veto any legislation that threatens or weakens or strips these rights and freedoms, and I will advocate for and champion all human rights—especially the rights of women and girls—in my everyday service as Governor.”
Busse and Graybill are also staunch supporters of reproductive freedom, including the human right for pregnant people to choose abortion care.
“I am a staunch, unapologetic supporter of the right of privacy and choice for any individual, especially when it comes to decisions about healthcare, family planning and bodily autonomy—including the right to choose abortion care,” Busse said. “I will openly advocate for comprehensive sexual health education. I will veto any legislation that comes before me that weakens or threatens the right of individuals—especially women and girls—to make health care decisions free from government intrusion.”
Busse for Montana has also earned endorsements from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, Montana Conservation Voters, Montana Sportsmen’s Alliance, the Montana Federation of Public Employees, the Montana State Legislative Board of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and the Montana AFL-CIO.
QUICK FACTS:
- Pronunciation: Ryan BUSS’-ee
- Home: Kalispell, Mont.
- Office Sought: Governor of Montana
- Affiliation: Democrat
- Website: busseformontana.com
- X (Twitter): @ryandbusse
- DOB: 2/23/70 (53)
- Occupation: Writer, Consultant, Firearms Expert and Former Executive (Vice President of Sales, Kimber America: 1995-2020)
- Family: Married to Sara for 24 years; two sons: Lander (18) and Badge (15)
- Alma Mater: Bethany College (Kansas)
- Chevy Odometer: 280,000 miles
- Hunting Dogs: Aldo and Teddy
- Bio: Ryan Busse is an author and former firearms executive who helped build the gun company Kimber from Kalispell between 1995 and 2020. Over his 25-year career Busse directed the sales of nearly three million Kimber firearms. His memoir, Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America, was published by PublicAffairs (Hachette) in 2021. Busse was born near the Kansas cattle ranch homesteaded by his great-grandfather. He is an avid hunter, angler and champion of public lands, and has held leadership positions with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and Montana Conservation Voters. Busse and his wife Sara live in Kalispell and have two teenage sons.