The Missoulian | by Josh Slotnick, Juanita Vero and Dave Strohmaier
We are endorsing Ryan Busse in the upcoming June 2 Democratic primary for representative from Montana’s Western District. Here’s why:
We believe it’s important to weigh in now because this historical moment tests our democracy, our health, our economic security and our safety. The quality of our future in Western Montanais in question. We need representation rooted in care for this place, moral clarity, and skills and experience. That is Ryan Busse.
Being a member of Congress is not a starter gig — and Ryan Busse is no rookie. He has built a large successful business here, led teams of Montanans, hired, inspired and recruited employees, provided benefits to families, and made tough decisions. He understands what it means to balance budgets, meet payroll, turn an idea into a reality, work with people he may not agree with on everything, and shoulder responsibility for others. Ryan is an accomplished person with the requisite skills. Throughout his career, Ryan has displayed excellence and organizational acumen, real character and a rare fearlessness. Ryan built a highly successful firearms company, and when his industry went off the rails, he sacrificed his career to stand up and call it out. Ryan Busse is a fighter.
We’ve seen Ryan’s leadership firsthand in his extensive conservation work across Montana. He’s a leader who embodies a fierce love for this state and its Constitution. Just as importantly, he is effective. He is a deep listener and someone who can hold competing truths, address complex challenges, and build sensible solutions, qualities that those of us who govern hold in high esteem. Ultimately, representing the Western District is a job, not just a position, andRyan is the best person for the job. There are 435 people in the U.S. House of Representatives. To get anything done in the House, a representative must be able to listen like every day is test day, accurately track complex, fast-moving issues, and work well from points of agreement as well as disagreement. Ryan can do that. He has the skills, character and experience to do thejob, not for a party or a cause, but for western Montana.
Ryan speaks to the challenges inherent in 21st-century western Montana: climate, affordability, economic development, infrastructure and resource protection (to name a few). He brings policy proposals to meet these challenges and has the skills to work on a national scale for change right here. From our vantage point, we don’t need a spokesperson; we need a candidate who will be effective on our behalf.
We do not come to this endorsement lightly. Serving asMissoula County commissioners is the honor of our lives. We work hard every day, dive into complexity and strive to make this place better. We consider working with neighbors and exercising good governance acts of profound responsibility tothe place and people we love. The needs of Missoula County and the current state of our nation call for a candidate whocan meet the demands of this moment. Ryan Busse is that Democratic candidate.
This June, let’s nominate a candidate with the skills, experience and moral backbone to protect our democracy, strengthen the health of our land and economic security, and work to address the issues specific to western Montana. We urgeyou to join us in voting for Ryan Busse in the June 2 Democratic primary election.
– Josh Slotnick, Juanita Vero and Dave Strohmaier are Missoula County’s commissioners.
