Letter to the Editor
In Support of Jamie Isaly
Dear Editor,
Let me tell you why I’m voting to return Jamie Isaly to the Montana Legislature, and maybe some of those reasons will resonate with you when you go to the polls.
First and foremost, as a Montanan, public lands are more than just a place to hike or hunt—they are the reason we live here. Jamie will continue working hard to keep public lands in public hands and protect the right for everyone to access them. In addition, he monitors all legislation affecting water, wildlife, timber, and access to hunting and fishing opportunities.
As a homeowner, I was hit with the property tax increase Republicans pushed through during the last legislative session. Park County residents are now paying on average 21 percent more, and the $650 tax rebate didn’t come close to covering that increase. This session, Jamie wants to restructure the state property tax system and stop forcing average Montanans to pay tax increases just to prevent wealthy out-of-staters and corporations from paying more.
Jamie is well aware of the housing crisis people face as both renters and owners. As a member of the Park County Housing Coalition Steering Committee, Jamie understands the scope of the problem and works with others to find potential solutions that can be implemented both locally and statewide.
Housing isn’t an easy problem to solve. But if reelected, Jamie will work with his colleagues in the legislature to provide tax incentives for landlords who offer below market rates; implement tax incentives to builders and developers that create truly affordable housing; and provide grant funding and incentives for businesses that create employee-based housing.
As a retired educator, Jamie has pledged to push back against those attacking public education and make sure Helena fully supports our local school districts. He supports increased pay for teachers and support staff; reducing the student-to-counselor ratio, which now stands at 400 to 1; and reducing the student-to-teacher ratio in certain classrooms.
Jamie is a local, and that’s important. If you’re like me, you probably had a child that took his classes at Park High—or maybe you were in one of his classes. As an educator, he was fair, honest and hardworking. As a state legislator, he is every bit as devoted to the job and to all of us. He wants to make sure we all get a fair shake so we can continue to enjoy living in Montana and raising our families here.
Jamie Isaly deserves to be reelected to House District 58.
Thomas Shands,
Livingston
In Support of Jason Gunderson & Bob Crank
Dear Editor,
Most Montana families don’t live on one income. They make a paycheck plus some kind of supplemental income: from snow plowing, house cleaning, pet sitting, a cabin or room they rent out. That’s how working families here afford a home or keep family land.
Jason Gunderson understands this lifestyle. He grew up in a small-business family where, as his campaign website puts it, “we didn’t have anything handed to us.” He has spent more than 22 years as a firefighter, EMT and a police officer,” and is now a Livingston detective. Bob Crank, a Livingston police officer, says that even with a decent job and VA loan eligibility, he can’t afford to buy a home in his own community. Both know Montanans want freedom to be resourceful and self-reliant.
As a fifth-generation Montanan, I am thrilled to be home after three decades away. Seventeen votes, confirmed in the 2024 recount, sent Gunderson’s opponent to Helena. Mine was one of them. I deeply regret it.
Gunderson’s opponent told the Montana House in 2025 that someone had offered $100,000 for a parking space in the high-rise luxury Bozeman condo building where he lives. As constituents who rely on extra income to keep our property, we asked for his help to protect the established right to rent a home or room for a week or a month, as we have for decades.
He sided with wealthy home owners like himself, who don’t need to earn a living here but insist on telling people here how to live.
National politics are a circus, but Montana isn’t Washington. Helena needs people who understand that working Montanans need options. Please vote Jason Gunderson for Senate District 29 and Bob Crank for House District 57.
Wendy Dickson
Bridger Canyon