MT US Senate Candidates begin forum at the Elks Lodge in Billings on Tuesday April 24th. From left to right, Troy Downing, Matt Rosendale, Russell Fagg, and Albert Olszewski. (Photo by Yellowstone County News)
Originally published in the 4/27/18 print edition of Yellowstone County News.
BILLINGS — The conversation got a little bit contentious during the GOP US Senate Forum on Tuesday evening at the Elks Club in Billings, where the candidates weighed in on a wide range of issues from CSKT to the Veteran’s Administration, from tariffs to health care. As might be expected, however, there was far more agreement among the candidates than disagreement.
The primary point they all wanted to make was who would most likely be able to defeat incumbent Democrat, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. Having deep roots in the state was an emphasis of candidates Dr. Al Olszewski and Judge Russell Fagg, in contrast to relative newcomers, candidates Troy Downing and Matt Rosendale. Rosendale is a former Montana legislator and current State Auditor. Downing, who lives in Big Sky, is a businessman and veteran.
Downing claimed that the post should be filled by someone with combat experience, since Congress is charged with the responsibility of making decisions about going to war and those decisions should be made by someone who understands what that really means. Rosendale pointed to his record of reducing regulations and spending as qualifications to continue representing Montanans. He was the only state official to refuse a pay increase, during a budget shortfall. “That’s what a leader does,” he said.
With Fagg and Rosendale having been identified in recent polls as the frontrunners, Fagg initiated some sparing with Rosendale regarding a tour of the state by Rosendale, that has the appearance of being funded by public dollars.
“Why didn’t you do the tour last year or next year?” challenged Fagg. Rosendale rebutted that the tour is part of his job as State Auditor to connect investors with entrepreneurs. It is being funded not at taxpayers’ expense, but through the Investor’s Protection Fund, which “the industry provides with no tax dollars.”
“Sounds like a slush fund to me,” quipped Fagg, a former District Court judge and state legislator from Billings.
Fagg also challenged Rosendale about a 2014 statement he made in support of transferring federal lands to the state. Fagg said he has since “flip-flopped” on that position. Rosendale responded, “I listened to read more
