Candidates unanimous in opposition to USFS, Obamacare, and CSKT Water Compact

New district boundaries create havoc for some voters

At a recent Republican candidate forum, all fourteen legislative candidates participating from NW Montana said they would not vote for the CSKT water compact as currently written, would not vote for expansion of Obamacare in the form of Medicaid expansion, and will vote for legislation which returns the federal lands in Montana to the State of Montana as advocated by the American Lands Council.

Questions on these three hot button topics were posed to all House and Senate candidates at the public forum held by Flathead County Federation of Republican Women March 27 in Kalispell.

Sanders County candidates ‘Fajita’ Bob Brown and Katy Walton joined Flathead area candidates in the forum because part of Flathead County has been added to House District 13, the seat Brown and Walton are vying to win. I was pleased to hear they agree on these vital issues which are apt to be among the largest decided by the 2015 legislature.

Matt Rosendale was the only US House congressional candidate who attended and addressed the audience. He said he strongly supports transfer of federally managed public lands to the state as well as real reforms in health care laws to eliminate frivolous lawsuits and let free markets work to make services truly affordable.

New state legislative district boundaries will take effect in 2015 due to redistricting adjustments, which in some cases seem to be highly unfair to voters and their representatives. The state’s legislative redistricting commission essentially split Sanders County in half with the western half of the county being combined with southwestern Flathead County into House District 13.

As an incoming legislator last year, I urged the commission to keep Sanders County whole in one House District, but the state’s appointees went forward with the split. I had little pull at that point but one thing I will work on in the future is to ensure people are not cut off from the most convenient polling place. It is not right that Plains residents out on River Road West will have to vote by mail or travel all the way to Thompson Falls to vote.

As a result of redistricting, which occurs by law every ten years in Montana, the eastern half of Sanders County has been added into House District 14 with Mineral County and western Missoula County. HD 14 is currently represented by Nicholas Schwaderer, a Republican legislator from Superior. Having served just one term so far, Nicholas is up for re-election again this year but has drawn no challenger in this spring’s Primary Election.

The new legislative district dividing Sanders County in half falls in the vicinity of Buffalo Bill Road and lops off the western end of River Road West. Sanders County residents located to west of this line will be voting in HD 13, and those to the east will be in HD 14. The exact boundary lines are difficult to explain so it is best to check with the state or county elections department to verify your voting district if you live near the new legislative boundary. Or you can contact me and I will help you identify your district.

My Senate District encompasses both House District 13 and 14 in their entirety. Since I was elected in 2012 to represent Senate District 7 for four years, I will continue serving citizens in this entire area through 2016. At that point I would have to run for re-election if I choose to seek your support in continuing on for one more term.

Due to term limits in Montana, no state legislator can serve more than 8 consecutive years in the Senate or House chamber. The HD 13 seat is being vacated by Rep. Ingraham who reached her term limit this year.

For more info on these or any other topics you can reach me by email at sen.jfielder@legmt.gov, by phone at 406 210 5944, or visit my constituent web site at www.jenniferfielder.us.