Origins of SD 6 race explained
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Editor,
I appreciate Mr. Hess speaking up for the good of democracy, but two statements in his May 23 letter need to be corrected.
Regarding the origins of this current Senate race, Mr. Hess stated, “According to press reports there was an agreement …” that Mowbray would run for the House seat, and Taylor would run for the Senate seat.
The closest thing to a press report appeared in Vince Devlin’s Jan. 17, 2012, Missoulian interview with Taylor and myself. It reads: “the rumor in some local political circles was that the women would attempt to swap seats in the Legislature in 2012, with Mowbray filing for the House and Taylor for the Senate.”
My opponent has always been hopeful I would choose to run for the House seat rather than remain committed to the Senate. She and her husband approached me more than once wanting, in their words, “to make a deal,” but I felt that wasn’t the best way to serve the voters. I received much support from legislative colleagues, and encouragement from local people that reinforced my commitment to the Senate.
Mr. Hess also stated, “Taylor could have theoretically resigned her House seat and been appointed to the Senate.” In fact, she applied for the Senate opening, but was rejected by the Lake County Commissioners.
I knew I would be challenged in this race, but not attacked so viciously with deceptive out-of-state campaign mailings that don’t reflect Montana values.
Over 28 years, I have enjoyed many positive relationships throughout this large district, including many former employees, readers, advertisers, our city and county governments and the tribes. I am confident the folks who know me understand my passion to serve and will support my efforts to continue my work in the Senate.
Carmine Mowbray
Senate District 6
Polson
