Montanans are raising alarms about the instability and loss they feel in their daily lives, truths our leaders must hear in order to defend democracy and rebuild trust.

I’ve spent most of my life working in Montana communities—running newspapers, cooking in small-town kitchens, listening to farmers, students, teachers, veterans, and union workers tell their stories. I’ve served in the Montana Legislature and published newspapers that took on big issues in small places. Through all of it, one belief has remained constant: democracy only works when people show up. Showing up means more than giving speeches or repeating slogans. It requires asking questions, listening to the answers, and recognizing that no one holds all the answers by virtue of a title or a degree.

For months, I’ve traveled across Montana, not giving speeches but sitting down with people in their communities to hear what matters most. From Richland County to Missoula, I’ve gathered with neighbors in living rooms, union halls, libraries and co-op buildings, not for campaign stops but to engage in community conversations. I’m grateful to the Montanans who have engaged in these conversations and who continue to show up to make sure their voice matters.

Montana's history is deeply intertwined with tales of immense wealth, political maneuvering, and the enduring struggle against corruption. The era of the Copper Kings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries serves as a poignant example of how unchecked power can influence governance, leading to significant reforms driven by the people.

We are facing interesting, challenging times but we can meet this moment together. In the stories Montanans tell me, I hear from folks who are wondering why our administration has turned its back on Ukraine, why their taxpayer dollars are going to Elon Musk instead of childcare, healthcare, affordable housing, and paying and retaining our federal employees and contractors.

The current occupant of the Second Floor, East Wing of the Montana State Capitol was filled with optimism for the state and the nation last night while speaking out of both sides of his mouth. On Monday night, Mr. Gianforte claimed the state is prospering while insisting Montana is a struggling, crime-ridden, dysfunctional mess. He blames the current president for everything wrong in Montana but under Gianforte’s own leadership for the last four years, with a supermajority in the legislature to boot, he grew government and raised taxes.

We're Doubling Down on Montana. Montana’s future deserves bold action, not business as usual, and I know we can do better. I need your support to return to D.C. and continue fighting for Montanans. Every voice matters and every vote counts.