Most here already know that this past weekend Rob Quist emerged from a stacked Democratic field to win the Democratic nomination for the Montana at Large Special Election on May 25. The Democrats really had some strong candidates and Quist prevailed on the fourth ballot.
First thing — I can’t believe Rob Quist is 69 years old. Look at the guy, he looks like he is 50. I may need to move to Montana.
Second — here is a little background on Quist from the Huffington Post:
For weeks, Quist has been barnstorming Montana, urging scattered Democrats to form central committees in counties without one, according to KTVH, a local NBC affiliate.
He’s running in part on his public service record. Quist served three four-year terms on the Montana Arts Council, to which two governors appointed him. In that position, he lobbied to keep funding for music, theater and arts programs in the state’s public schools and developed an anti-bullying curriculum. He also served as the state Department of Commerce’s cultural ambassador, traveling to Japan several times over his three-year tenure. He currently works as a spokesman and fundraiser for the Montana Food Bank Network.
Quist rose to prominence as a founding member of the Mission Mountain Wood Band. The country-rock fivesome, sometimes abbreviated M2WB, helped start the University of Montana’s annual Aber Day kegger, a party that won a spot in Guinness Book of World Records for being the biggest benefit kegger.
Third — Quist on the issues (an excerpt, go to the link for the full issue page):
Marriage Rights
I stand for the right for everyone to love and marry whom they choose regardless of their orientation.
Women’s Rights
I support a woman's right to choose without exception.
Unions and Worker’s Rights
I stand for the unions that have been decimated to the point that a once robust middle class is now fading away. Unions balance industry to insure a safe workplace and a livable wage.
Teachers/School System
I stand for the teachers whose starting pay is so low, it could almost be called volunteer work. My wife, Bonni, was an English Teacher in the Kalispell School System. She worked 80 hour weeks tirelessly for a starting pay that is one of the lowest in the nation.
I stand for public school education to expand programs teaching life skills such as finance, the importance of good credit, job interview skills and resume building, personal health and nutrition and expanded citizenry and community volunteer work.
Quist is running against a Greg Gianforte, a Young Earth Creationist with strong ties to the hate group Focus on the Family. Gianforte lost the Governor’s race this past November by 4%.
Rob Quist is a fantastic candidate but he is going to need our help especially since just yesterday, the GOP dumped $700,000 into the race. If you can contribute or volunteer maybe we can help this great candidate over the finish line.
