Issue 1

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Missoula families are feeling the strain of rising costs in every direction — groceries, utilities, housing, and especially property taxes. For many of us, the last few years have felt like a steady tightening of the belt with no relief in sight. The recent property tax bill only made things harder. Homeowners saw increases they couldn’t plan for, renters absorbed higher costs passed down to them, and small landlords struggled to keep their units affordable while staying afloat themselves. These are not abstract policy debates. These are kitchen‑table realities for thousands of people across our county.

This is why I support Ryan Darling. Ryan understands what these financial pressures look like for ordinary Montanans. He has spent years listening to families, seniors, and small business owners who are being squeezed by decisions made in Helena that don’t reflect the day‑to‑day realities of the people who live here. He believes that tax policy should be predictable, transparent, and fair — not a surprise bill that pushes people out of their homes or forces them to choose between essentials. Ryan has been clear that Montana needs real reform. He wants a property tax system that doesn’t punish long‑time residents, doesn’t destabilize renters, and doesn’t leave families wondering how they’ll make it through another year. He believes in responsible budgeting, honest accounting, and policies that strengthen communities rather than burden them.

These are the issues that matter most to the people I talk to every day. They want leaders who understand that affordability is not a partisan talking point — it’s the difference between staying in Missoula or being priced out of it. They want someone who will stand up for homeowners, renters, and working families who feel like they’ve been carrying the load alone.

I believe Ryan is that kind of leader. He is steady, thoughtful, and committed to bringing practical solutions to Helena. He listens. He asks questions. And he never forgets who he’s working for.

Missoula deserves a representative who will fight for economic stability and real relief for the people who live here. I believe Ryan Darling will do exactly that. Please consider donating to his campaign, by volunteering to knock on doors or financially supporting his campaign.

Thank you,

Cindy Tucker Johnson
Missoula, MT

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

CI-132 is very simple. It simply adds to our Montana Constitution the statement: “Judicial elections shall remain nonpartisan” 

Sounds good, in fact, like a pie in the sky good. Nobody actually believes it. We would like judges to be non biased, but everyone has their own personal biases, some good, some not so good. We all know this simple fact. NOT let our voters know what they actually stand for, what their personal opinions are, or how they might rule – on any issue whatsoever. BEFORE we have to elect them to a judgeship, no less.

Voters should have the right to know, before they vote, what candidates stand for and what their positions are. Instead of hiding their positions, we should demanding that judge candidates tell us in their campaign literature what their positions are. Just like any other candidate must.

What CI-132 would allow is further hiding anyone in a judicial election from having to expose their personal positions. It actually would require those running for judgeship’s to be required (more than they already are) to Do we really need to further protect the legal monopoly that is already protected and isolated from our general citizenry in several other ways?

Russell Sias
Columbia Falls