Candidate for governor also calls on Gianforte to release details of his Russian business interests
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KALISPELL, Mont. — Former firearms executive and candidate for governor Ryan Busse today released the following statement in response to news that Sibanye Stillwater plans to lay off hundreds of United Steelworkers (USW) miners. Sibanye Stillwater operates a platinum and palladium mine in south-central Montana.
The roughly 700 planned layoffs come as Russia is artificially and illegally lowering mineral costs by dumping platinum and palladium into industrial markets throughout the world.
“I stand with Stillwater’s miners as America puts the squeeze on Russia for its illegal platinum and palladium dumping, which has tanked prices around the world. No union is as good as the USW at fighting illegal trade, and I’ll partner with them every step of the way on this and any future trade issue that kills Montana jobs.
As governor, I’ll also be in close contact with the U.S. Trade Representative and the White House whenever Montana jobs are in the crosshairs of illegal foreign competition. I also expect full transparency and cooperation from Sibanye Stillwater as the USW fights for these affected jobs. Right now, though, it’s on us to ensure these Montanans can get back to work in meaningful, good-paying union jobs as soon as possible.”
U.S. Senator Jon Tester has introduced legislation banning the importation of Russian palladium.
With the focus on Russia’s role in these Montana layoffs, Busse is also calling on Governor Greg Gianforte to release all details of his business interests in Russia.
As a candidate for Congress, Gianforte came under fire for his “financial ties to a number of Russian companies that have been sanctioned by the U.S.” Gianforte owned a quarter-million dollars “in shares in two Russian index funds that are invested in the Russian economy.”
“Governor Gianforte needs to be honest and transparent with the people of Montana if he’s profiting from a country that’s kicking Montana workers to the curb,” Busse said.
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.