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Don Siefert in new op-ed: “Jon doesn’t answer to his party or any special interest — Jon answers to the people of Montana, and always has”

BILLINGS – Former Republican Gallatin County Commissioner Don Siefert penned a new op-ed praising third-generation dirt farmer Jon Tester’s Montana values as well as his record on infrastructure, small businesses, and public lands – and sharing that he will proudly vote for Jon this November.

Jon is proud to be supported by more than 100 Republicans from across Montana, ranging from former elected officials to business owners to community leaders.

Check out Don’s op-ed here:

Billings Gazette: I’m a Republican and voting for Jon Tester | Don Seifert

By Don Siefert

September 17, 2024

• November’s election is about more than politics — it’s about the type of Montana we want to leave for the next generations of Montanans.
• Do we want a Montana where rich outsiders backed by D.C. special interests actively work to divide our state? Or do we want a Montana where we work together and unite around our common values, regardless of political party?
• I know the Montana that Jon Tester is fighting for — and that’s why as a Republican and former Gallatin County commissioner, I’ll be crossing party lines and supporting Jon for Senate this fall.
• Both sets of my grandparents moved to north-central Montana over 100 years ago, and they looked out for their neighbors in good times and bad. That’s the Montana I was raised in, and it’s those values that have been passed down from my grandparents. Those values are what make Montana the Last Best Place, and it’s those values that are on the line this election season.
• The Jon Tester that I know shares these values. He knows that you don’t build a barn alone, and that when Montanans come together to tackle issues, the whole state is stronger because of it. He’s a third-generation Montana farmer, and as I did as your County Commissioner, Jon lets the people of Montana lead the way, regardless of political party.
• While his opponent tries to tear people down, Jon brings people together and builds Montana up.
• Jon was instrumental in securing TIGER grant funds and other resources to upgrade infrastructure in Big Sky and throughout our community, and he’s been a trusted partner of Gallatin County for his entire career. Jon worked hand-in-hand with local government to secure millions of dollars to improve our roads, helping to grow our economy and make our communities safer.
• I’m also a small business owner. Jon has been a champion for Montana’s small businesses and was the driving force behind securing Tech Hub funding for Montana. As a member of the Economic Development District, I watched Jon bring together universities, economic development groups, and Montana’s leading tech businesses (many of which are Gallatin County-based) so that we will continue to lead the nation in tech development and manufacturing – creating good paying Montana jobs and making our country stronger along the way.
• And Jon has forged a path in the Senate to protect Montana’s public lands for future generations while ensuring that Montana’s outdoor economy can continue to thrive. He’s brought together businesses, industry, conservationists, and recreationalists to pass laws like his Great American Outdoors Act, which ensures that our wild places in Gallatin County and across Montana will be well managed for everyone, for decades to come.
• Simply put: Jon doesn’t answer to his party or any special interest — Jon answers to the people of Montana, and always has.
• I won’t always agree with Jon, but I know that I can count on him to work across the aisle to benefit all of Montana on the national stage. Tim Sheehy hasn’t earned that trust, and certainly hasn’t earned my vote.
• I’ll proudly cast my ballot for a better Montana this fall when I fill in the oval next to Jon’s name, and I encourage all Montanans — regardless of political party — to do the same.