Magone believes she is best candidate to represent Senate District 7
By AMY QUINLIVAN
Mineral Independent
Diane Magone’s roots run deep in Mineral County, and that’s just one of the many reasons why she is running for the Senate District 7 seat this fall.
Her father, Joe, spent his entire working career at the mill out on Diamond Match Road. Her mother was a school nurse in each of the county’s schools. Magone is a Superior High School alum, and attended the district through all of her schooling, later she graduated from the University of Montana, and earned her Master’s in Social Work from Walla Walla College.
As for her diplomatic aspirations, she shared, “I have always had an interest in our political system and think that it is important to participate as much as possible at whatever level you can.”
Magone has two daughters, and four grandchildren. Over the years she has held several community group positions including, Mineral County Library Board Member; Garnet Preservation Association Board Member; Chair, Recreation Committee, Mineral County Resource Coalition. She also serves as Chair of the Mineral County Democratic Central Committee.
In the upcoming election Magone expressed, “I believe that our elected officials should do the job that they were elected for – and that is to represent the people of their district. It is important to listen to constituents and to consider their views.”
Magone believes that one of the most prevalent issues facing the county is the availability of good paying jobs.
She said, “The basis of our economy has changed here in Western Montana in the last few decades with the closing of our lumber mills; we need to continue to explore new ways to employ our residents with jobs that pay well.”
With the St. Regis lumber mill Idaho Forest Group, and the Mineral Community Hospital being the two largest employers for the county, Magone conveyed, “It is critical that we ensure that these two entities continue to operate successfully.”
On that same note Magone described, “We don’t have enough workers. We don’t have enough housing. Our wages and pay scales are less than what people can make in other areas. Finding ways to solve these interrelated problems is a challenge and must be addressed both locally and legislatively.”
For the younger generations she acknowledged that educational and career preparation opportunities continue to be a problem in our area.
Magone stated, “Expanding dual credit classes in our high schools and working with local employers to increase apprenticeship programs will help to prepare our students for life after graduation as they either go on to college or enter the workforce.”
Magone is focused on addressing other fundamental problems as well. Most importantly she said, “At this point, we need to do everything we can to help our small businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic by supporting them and shopping locally.”
Following COVID relief and recovery efforts Magone plans to tackle the housing shortages in both Mineral and Sanders Counties with the primary goal of providing short-term workforce housing to address the shortage of affordable and available homes.
If Magone were elected this November, her top priorities would be strengthening Medicaid expansion; supporting public schools and advocating for state-wide pre-school; and ensuring accessibility to public lands.
Last but by no means least, Magone said, “We need to work together to do all we can to assist families and businesses in getting through the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.”
As election day draws near Magone affirmed, “I really do think that it is possible to reach across the aisle to find consensus on many things that benefit our counties and our state.”
If you have questions for Diane Magone visit her Facebook Page, Diane L. Magone for SD 7. Her mailing address is 156 Trout Creek Road, Superior, MT 59872. Email at: diane_magone@hotmail.com.
At press time, Magone’s opponent Republican Bob Brown of Thompson Falls failed to provide a response to candidate profile questions.