Well, folks, I sigh a sense of relief now that the MT GOP Senate Primary Debate/forum is over that Yellowstone County News co-sponsored last night at the Elks Club in Billings.
I learned a lot about each candidate and thought they all did a great job. If I counted correctly (and my common core math worked), we had about 120-130 people at the event along with radio listeners across the state on 24 stations (According to Jon Arneson) along with KULR-8 Television’s Facebook live stream along with our own Facebook live stream we shared.
It is definitely a lot of work to coordinate with tv, radio and a live audience. As that was my first time, I guess it went ok but there were personally some things I’d do differently next time to help prepare but that’s how you learn. Jump in head first!
I want to thank my staff at the Yellowstone County News who all understand my nervousness, focus, and being patient when they kinds of events happen. It affects all members of our team in one way or another in preparing, following up, covering, pictures, and then pulling off big events like this.
As a side note, YCN never even asked to be a sponsor of this Senate forum and event nor did we even pursue to be involved. However, I was just asked to be a moderator as some in the original committee said that Yellowstone County News sponsored the Billings Mayoral Debate last Fall and did a great job so they wanted us to be involved again. So, we got involved! And I’m glad that we did.
Also thank you to Judy Trenka (Big Tent Dinner) and Henry Kriegel (Montana’s for Tax Reform) for all their heavy lifting as well to prepare for the event. Thank you to Paul Patek as he was the timer and volunteers who also helped out at the event.
I’m also grateful for Evelyn Pyburn who is one of our YCN reporters who also put in many hours in getting questions together and planning together with me and the committee. As I’ve known Evelyn for many years as I also grew up with her kids in school, she is a great support to our newspaper and appreciate all that she does. Words can’t express enough her caliber and depth of knowledge she brings to her stories and understanding of complex situations.
I heard from a number of voters and attendees at the forum and I heard from three unsolicited but respected people that told me that Dr. Al Olszewski won the debate. I’m just reporting that feedback I received. I thought the interesting part is that each attendee gave me a different reason why though. As I know all the candidates and think any one of them would be great to represent Montana, I personally decided not to endorse any candidate so as to be fair in our debate/forum and also be able to be in a position to give an honest, unbiased and respected perspective of the race.
I am, however, now contemplating an endorsement from the Yellowstone County News in our May 11, 2018 edition (same day absentee ballots go out in the mail across the state). Not who I want to win, or who has the most endorsements, or who has the most money, or who has the most chance to win, but who I think would be the best to represent the voters of Montana! Give me your feedback as I’m contemplating an endorsement. It would be the first ever for our newspaper to come out and endorse a primary candidate.
In the meantime, don’t forget about the Lockwood high school vote that is currently pending with absentee ballots already out in the mail and need to be turned into the Yellowstone County Elections office by Tuesday May 8, 2018. If you need information about it, you can check our previous issues of Yellowstone County News, we’ve had a good amount of feedback and information about it.
Also, Huntley Project has two spots to fill on the School board. However, there are three people running so do your homework and choose two candidates. You don’t have to choose two but there is an opportunity to choose two. This week’s edition of YCN has an article with candidates feedback to learn from so read that article as well.
This weekend is ENUFF IS ENUFF, LET’S CLEAN UP WEEKEND. A big community cleanup in underway and local alumnus and resident Ryan Roen is heading up the big day of clean up in the area. Let’s give him the support in his efforts in keeping our communities clean. Even if you are not able to go to the one in Huntley, there are other areas in Yellowstone County that need to be cleaned up so do your part and together, we’ll all make this place a better place! Check out the ad in the paper about the Cleanup.
Finally, we are now in the swing of getting sponsors for the special senior graduation editions of YCN in the May 11 and 18th issues for Shepherd, Custer and Huntley Project schools. Please reach out to us at 406-348-2650 to secure your senior. If you or your business would like to sponsor a senior, please let us know. Even if you don’t have someone in mind but would like to help us cover all the seniors, give us a call and tell us to just pick two or three seniors that we randomly sponsor. We have about 115 seniors that need to be sponsored so give us a call. The cost is $22.50 per senior. The cost goes to help support the special editions of the paper.
Until then, see you in the paper,
JDM.
Dr. Al Olszewski will best represent Montana! He has the longest history of service to the state (as a veteran, doctor, and state legislator), is articulate and can clearly defend conservative interests, and has a good sense of humor. He is an effective leader, respectful, and incredibly likable! Dr. Al does not have to bring the other candidates down as leverage to prove his worth, which is so refreshing. He also doesn’t have to drone on and on about his accomplishments or money or endorsements as the reasons why a person should vote for him. He talks about what HE WILL DO for Montanans and his responses to questions are clear and make sense! Dr. Al’s humility and character truly outshines the other contenders. I am confident that he will genuinely work hard to understand all issues, represent Montana proudly in Washington D.C., and not be beholden to out-of-state or “power by money” cronies! Also, in a time where healthcare is a true national crisis, he’s the man for the job! Send the doctor and business man to straighten it out!
Al is a veteran, are veteran issues need immediate attention. Al is a doctor and he has first-hand experience on what the needs and wants of our healthcare system is. Al is intellectually better than all the other candidates. Al is not bought by the establishment.
Dr. Olszewski is honest, truly cares for all people, is intelligent and studies issues, not relying on on others opinions for his decisions; and will be a great spokesperson for Montana.
Dr. Al has a history here in the Flathead as a fine family man and doctor. He is smart and is willing to make himself available at this time as our State moves forward. His purposes are clear and concise. We need his representation!
Thank you for doing this. Al Olzewski is who our family trusts the most to take care of us as a senator!
Hi Jonathan, it is a foreign concept to have a genuine, no strings attached candidate in the political realm. However, it’s time Montana has it’s own in Dr. Al. He may not come with a large political entourage and loads of cash to bid for following, but his true grassroots and full heartedness for Montana combined with his incredible intelligence is a recipe that both Montana and the US could desperately use right now. Vote the O and all Montanans–only Montanans–will have a voice.
Al Olsweski is the most trustworthy man that I have ever known. I worked with Dr O for ten years and I saw the respect and trust that his patients have in and that all his employees shared.
Dr. Al Olszewski is the best choice for Montana! Al is a third generation Montanan, a veteran, and he is unmatched in integrity, dedication, drive, and love for our great state.
Dr. O is the best to represent Montana in Washington. He is the only candidate I have met who is truly grounded and practices conservative values. He understands what a man’s word and a handshake means. He works tirelessly for what is right for the people he represents.
Dr. Al Olszewski is a great father and role model to me. Even if I disagree with him on any subject, he listens and tries to meet me on a middle ground. Beyond his political success, he is just a good person and he really cares. He is wicked smart and very humble.
Al is a Veteran, a business owner, and an MD. He understands issues facing Veterans, businesses, and our healthcare system including being in touch with the issues as a provider and what patients face. We need a man of integrity, who serves his country, his community, and can relate with the issues business owners and healthcare providers and patients face. My husband is a veteran, a medical practitioner, and a small business owner, and having a leader in touch with the issues matters to us. Real solutions come from logical related experience.
Dr. Al’s experience and track record speak for themselves as to the kind of candidate and person he is. His ability to listen and answer succinctly the questions presented to him is a rare quality in government today. As a young voter, I am all behind him and look forward to seeing him serving the American people in D.C.
First, I would like to say that Dr. Olszewski embodies respect, honor, and dignity for everyone. As a father, he pushed me to not only respect everyone but to show compassion as well. As a veteran, he started his family on an Air Force base. He brought those values to every part our lives. I am grateful and proud to say that my father has served our country, and I will never stop expressing thanks to anyone who has served. He sees the need to fix the system. Montana is a beautiful state, and we deserve a government that respects our rights and human dignity. My father wishes to fix it for Montana. It’s not about the recognition. It’s about building a better future. I know Dr. Olszewski will not just fix the system, I trust him to usher Montana into a bright future.
Dr O is a true Montanan. A common sense person, who truly reflects the views of at least 80% of Montana..He is an independent thinker who is not beholden to any establishment.
Over the campaign season, I’ve had ample opportunity to hear and observe all the candidates. DR. O’s decorum, reasoned positions on issues, and rational solutions for our national concerns have assured me that He is someone that will represent Montana well in Washington, and that I will be proud to call him my US senator.
I have had the priveledge of voting for Dr. o twice already. Once as my State representative and once as my State senator- His performance in those positions was exemplary! I look forward to voting for him again in the Primary andhopefully in the General election in November. Dr. o is the real deal. GO DR. O!
Dr O is the common sense candidate for Montana. A true grass roots representative, who wants to do Something and not be Somebody.. He truly is running to make a difference. I have heard them all a few times and he is the one for MT. Albert is humble and transparent with an agenda to help MT.
Dr. Al is what Montana needs in Washington DC! He is a man of faith with great integrity. He can take on Tester and win because he will focus on the issues. Dr. Al has my vote!
Dr. O is the right candidate. He is smart and caring. Most importantly, he is NOT a career politician. He will not forget who he represents when he gets to Washington.
Dr. Al was my surgeon for two extremely successful knee replacement surgeries. I found him to be a very intelligent man, highly skilled and professional, honest in his discussions with me about my condition, genuinely interested in me as a person, fully listening to what I had to say, and a person whose manner put me very much at ease as I interacted with him. Those qualities transferred well into his work as both a representative and a senator in the Montana State Legislature in 2015 and 2017 respectively. Additionally, I know several members of Dr. Al’s family. They, like Dr. Al, are all people of integrity, strong in their concern for the good of others, solid in their moral beliefs, hard working, and unafraid of exercising leadership.
I believe all of these things will serve to make Dr. Al an outstanding voice in the U.S. Senate speaking up for the good of Montana and the United States.
I believe they would serve to make him an excellent U.S. Senator as well.
Dr. O is very humble and principled. I know him from is doctoring and from speaking every Memorial Day at the parade in Polson. I am inspired that he is not going for big money and believe he will represent Montana the best of all the other candidates. His record in the Montana House and Senate is excellent! I cannot say enough good things about him. Please endorse him when the absentee ballots come out!
The GOP is Blessed to be able to offer a superb candidate for the office of U S Senator-Montana!
Dr. Al Olszewski will hit the ground running with his dedication, motivation and legislative experience. His platform represents solid conservative and responsible fiscal values. So proud to invite you to join the movement! Let’s make it happen!!!
Dr. Al is the most qualified and will serve MT the best. I have already submitted a letter to the editor on my personal reasons. THANK YOU Jonathan and staff for willing to endorse a Republican primary candidate, choosing the best candidate, and not the candidate with the most money, or some candidate that may be able to beat Tester. Always Integrity First!