Doug James

What do 47% of U.S. Senators have in common?

They are lawyers. Let that sink in.

Please!  We don’t need any more.

The Senate shouldn’t look like a law firm.

Independent Senate candidate Seth Bodnar isn’t a lawyer.

He’s a leader.

He is a West Point graduate (first in his class), a Rhodes Scholar, a Truman Scholar.  Two master’s degrees from Oxford University.  He taught economics at West Point, served in Iraq, 101^st Airborne, Green Beret, worked as the Chief Digital Officer at GE, and was President of the University of Montana. Lt. Colonel in the Montana National Guard. And, he is 47.

The national deficit has exploded to more than $39 trillion and is growing. Republicans and Democrats are both at fault. It is a moral failure. This will burden our children and grandchildren for generations. It is unacceptable.

We come to politics from different places.

Dave was Montana’s Budget Director under multiple administrations. He was a Republican Representative from 2001 to 2005 and a Republican Senator from 2005 to 2015. In 2004, he ran for Lt. Governor alongside Bob Brown. Doug is a retired Montana attorney.  While our politics differ, we are both fiscal conservatives.

There are many issues on which we disagree. We agree that our state and our country must address the critical issues facing our country. Let’s start with the national debt.

I (Dave) voted for President Trump. I thought he would reduce the growth of the federal debt. He exploded it. Today, the interest on our debt exceeds $1 trillion annually and is growing. I feel cheated.

Seth Bodnar offers something new. A fresh perspective. Someone committed to serving the people of Montana and not the political bosses in Washington. His independence reflects Montana’s independent streak. Common sense instead of Kabuki politics. It’s not red team v. blue team. It’s a call for serious discussion, debate, and compromise to bring America together to address our serious challenges.

Seth wants to work with both parties. Hold that thought. Both Parties. Seth often notes that neither party has a monopoly on good ideas. There are good men and women in both parties. We must work towards unity. We need broad coalitions to address the issues facing America.

Bodnar’s primary opponent Kurt Alme boasts of his endorsement from President Trump. We know what that means. We have seen this movie before. It has a bad ending.

For much of our history, many of our elected officials wore the "Copper Collar." They answered to the Anaconda Company.  Not the people of Montana.

Today, the metal has changed.  The collar looks familiar.

Kurt Alme proudly sought and received Trump's endorsement. Endorsements aren't free. They come with expectations. Trump demands absolute loyalty.  Those who dissent have been attacked, fired, investigated, and prosecuted.

We need a Senator whose only boss is the people of Montana. Not a Trump puppet.

Our Senator should fight for Montana ranchers, farmers, small businesses, veterans, and families—not simply voting the way Trump wants.

It's time to elect someone who wears only the Montana brand.

Alme paid a price for Trump’s endorsement. His independence. If elected, Alme will be an advocate for Trump’s policies, not the people of Montana. Alme won’t even be able to vote his conscience. Alme will be nothing more than a rubber stamp for Trump’s policies. He will not be able to take any meaningful action to address the national debt or other issues.

Montana deserves better.

That’s why we are supporting Seth Bodnar for the United States Senate. Not because he is a Republican or a Democrat. Because he is neither.

It is time for a change. Seth Bodnar is that change.

Common sense. Leadership. Integrity. Independence.

Dave Lewis served as State Budget Director, Montana Representative, and Senator.  He was known as a fiscal conservative who emphasized balanced budgets, careful spending, and long-range financial planning.  He served under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

Doug James is a retired Montana attorney and an advocate for smart public policy.