A better style of local politics is possible

Of all of the candidates for public office in the Flathead this election, I've had my feet on the ground in our privileged corner of Montana much longer than anyone else. That gives me both a long-term perspective on the evolving issues that are on the minds of voters and a unique perspective on our local political culture.

Many if not most of this year's batch of candidates cannot remember a time when the local political scene was not marked by a kind of petty, bitter and party-above-all mentality that, in my way of thinking, is short-sighted and counterproductive. This brand of politics has become the norm in Montana. Some local political leaders even claim that it can be no other way.

I fundamentally reject that assumption. One reason is that I remember when I was a kid, one of the Flathead legislators I most respected was Kalispell's Matt Himsl. It didn't matter that he was a Republican and that I was raised a Democrat; just about everyone admired Matt as a true statesman who always put first what was best for the Flathead. Unfortunately, his standard of leadership disappeared many years ago. What remains is a political landscape noted for its acrimonious partisanship.

One election will not change that, but when I become the next state senator from District 3, I promise that I will provide principled, informed and evenhanded leadership and will seek pro-active solutions to the issues that are foremost on the minds of my neighbors in this large district. That includes making government work better and putting the breaks on new taxes.

I am an independent-minded Democrat. I've disagreed with Gov. Brian Schweitzer before and likely will again. I have no self-interest involved in this campaign — my interest is in serving you. I promise to be in the vanguard of a movement to make the legislature more civil and effective and to make sure that the public's interests, not special interests, come first.

Some candidates, unfortunately, have a painfully obvious self interest that motivates their efforts to get elected. That is usually coupled with a willingness be the servant of a special interest group. I reject that model of "public service." It is clearly detrimental to what's needed to best represent the majority of residents of this district.

In this election, voters in Senate District 3 couldn't have a more clear choice — principled leadership or self-interest. I trust that you will make the right decision on election day, and I look forward to working with you as a partner to make the Flathead and Montana better.

For more information on my background and position on issues, please visit www.markholston.org.

Mark Holston is the Democrat candidate for State Senate District 3.