Oldtimer said:
Big Muddy rancher said:
I was wondering what difference it made to Sherriff if you were a Dem. or Rep.?
What party did you run under? I was just curious because Sheridan country had 4 running. One from each of the two parties and two write in's.
Yeah I heard about that race in Sheridan County...I ran as an Independent because I didn't think Law Enforcement (Sheriff) should be partisan- and was the first Independent to win a race in the county...
So many people agreed with my stance that this year when the Constituionally required County Government Study was done the first issue they looked at was removing all county elections from being partisan--It was on the ballot yesterday and won big 2302- 892--so from now on their will be no more Democrat/Republican designation on all County office races in Valley County....
All will run as independent/open candidates in the primary- and the top two vote getters will go into the general election...
Actually the Legislature authorized a statewide study about 15 years ago, and it was the general consensus of the huge majority of the state to do away with Party affiliation on all State races too-- But the Parties both got that squashed fast- they didn't want to lose their power..... :wink:
I think Folks are getting sick of Partisan Politics- the backstabbing and namecalling- the nothing getting accomplished because of party lines....
OT,
Are you still sheriff? I've been a little bit confused about your stories about being sheriff, you've been on these boards longer than I have...
Apparently you aren't any more? This was info from Valley County after election day:
County commissioner
Bruce Peterson, Dem (i) - 2,042
Kari Lee Knierim, GOP - 1,562
Clerk and recorder/superintendent of schools
Lynne Nyquist, Dem - 2,945
Sheriff/coroner
Glen Meier, GOP (i)- 2,508
Carl J. Laumeyer, Dem - 1,119
County attorney
Kenneth L. Oster, GOP - 2,515
Public administrator
Daniel R. Taylor, Dem - 2,791
Treasurer
Jennifer L. Reinhardt, Dem - 2,887
I must not have been paying much attention lately... I'm glad a repub. won the race (for sheriff), but really sorry about your Repub Kitzenberg who turned traitor to go DEM, even tho he was elected Republican. That's sooooooooooooooo baaaaad. :!:
GOP cries foul over senator's defection
By The Associated Press
HELENA - A moderate Republican state senator who is switching parties was blasted by GOP leadership for giving Democrats firm control of the state Senate, but few were surprised by the move.
Republicans questioned the timing of state Sen. Sam Kitzenberg's decision, just months after the Democratic administration of Gov. Brian Schweitzer gave Kitzenberg a job as a Revenue Department analyst.
Schweitzer dismissed the notion there is a link, saying he has not talked to Kitzenberg in months.
"That's unfortunate they would say something like that," the governor said. "I have not spoken to Sam. I have not spoken to Sam about his reason (for switching parties)." The governor said he did not hire Kitzenberg, a decision he said was made by one of his agency directors.
Valley County Republicans said they were not totally surprised Kitzenberg switched. The Glasgow resident has backed Democrats for years and often voted with Schweitzer's administration in the 2005 Legislature, a party leader said.
But the timing of Kitzenberg's move, which breaks a 25-25 tie in the Senate following last week's elections and comes on the heals of Kitzenberg's new job, miffs Republicans.
"We had serious concerns last year when he took that position," said state Sen. Corey Stapleton, R-Billings. "It was quid pro quo, what did they want from him?
"Our worst fears came true."
Kitzenberg did not immediately return a call seeking comment Tuesday morning.
It "smelled of political payoff," Valley County GOP chair Peter Hellend said of Kitzenberg's job and party affiliation switch.
The Senate now goes to 26-24 in favor of the Democrats.
The news comes as Democrats appear to be on the verge of picking up a seat in the House as well, which would flip a 50-49 Republican advantage to the Democrats by the same margin. One seat is held by the conservative Constitution Party.
A Dec. 1 recount could determine the fate of a tied House race in Yellowstone County. Schweitzer gets to break the tie if it remains deadlocked.
Hellend said Kitzenberg has long been an unwelcome Republican by siding with Democrats.
"It's nothing new for us up here that are Republicans," Hellend said of Kitzenberg. "He hasn't had the support of the Republicans that are active in politics up here for years."
Schweitzer said he is letting the Legislature sort through its own leadership questions as the results of the election solidify.
"What happens in the Legislature is outside the purview of the executive branch. I know better than to wade in over there," he said.
Schweitzer said Republicans shouldn't be shocked by Kitzenberg's defection since they actively campaigned against him in his last race and said "mean-spirited" things about him.
Democrats in the state Senate will now get control of committees and control legislation, meaning Republican legislative proposals will take a back seat, said Stapleton.
"What Kitzenberg bought Schweitzer, is now Schweitzer does not have to work with Republicans," he said.
Stapleton said the GOP advanced a moderate agenda this year, including a plan to put more money into the university system to reduce tuition, and Kitzenberg's claims that the GOP has moved to the right are wrong.
"If the party has been so bad to Sam Kitzenberg, why did he use it his whole political career?" Stapleton said. "He used the party to get elected, not once, but repeatedly."
Now, if I'm way off course, please set me straight :lol: