ELECTION 2020: Senate District 7

NAME: Bob Brown

EDUCATION: High school, with study in water treatment and distribution

PROFESSION: General Contractor, Pest Control and Artistic Sand Carving

1. What characteristics make you right for this position?

I am a true conservative which I believe represents the largest part of this district. And I am able to have an honest and open conversation with the other side of the aisle. Also, politics is not a career for me. I am a regular person who works like all other folks in the district.

2. If elected, what piece of legislation would be your priority?

There are so many things that become a priority – protecting children, natural resources, jobs and many others. But the issue that has been pressing on my heart is mandatory sentencing for unprovoked attacks on our peace officers.

3. If you are elected and look ahead to the end of your term, what one significant change would you initiate?

There are many changes that I will support and defend. The issues that I believe should come from me will be in the natural resources and fish, wildlife and parks area. Predator management will be on the top of my life. There are other legislators that specialize in other areas that will bring bills or change that I will support as if it were my own.

4. What else would you like voters to know about you?

Some things are hard to put into words that will come out the way that you truly mean them. But you will always be my friends and neighbors. I care deeply about you even if we don't agree. If I thought politics would change that thought in my heart, I would not do this. Friends, family and our community are what makes this place special. God bless you all!

NAME: Diane L. Magone

EDUCATION: Graduate of Superior High School, U of M (BSW), and Walla Walla College (MSW)

PROFESSION: Retired Social Worker and School Counselor

1. What characteristics make you right for this position?

I believe that our elected officials should do the job that they are elected to do – and that is to represent the people of their district. It is important to listen to constituents and to consider their views. I like to hear all sides of an issue before I make a decision about anything and would make every effort to continue that practice should I be elected. Finally, 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.

2. If elected, what piece of legislation would be your priority?

One of the most important issues facing the people of our state today is affordable health care coverage. Therefore, it is my intention to do all I can to strengthen Medicaid Expansion by making sure the program continues to cover the approximately 96,000 low-income residents that it currently covers and remains available for others who may need it in the future. This program not only provides insurance for those who can't afford it, but it also plays a major role in our local economies as it helps to keep the doors of our two rural critical access hospitals open, which are major employers in our area.

3. If you are elected and look ahead to the end of your term, what one significant change would you initiate?

I would like to see our legislators put aside party politics and work together on issues that are important to our state. Because of the effects of the pandemic, this is more important than ever. We need to do all we can to assist our residents and small businesses, as they struggle to survive and addressing these problems is far more important than fighting over ideological differences. We also need to reduce the power of paid lobbyists and start listening to the people of our state, who we are elected to represent.

4. What else would you like voters to know about you?

As a long-term resident of the area, I am aware of the many issues that are important to those of us who live here in Senate District 7. Additionally, growing up in Superior, I learned the value of living in a small town. In rural Montana, we are community and we know that we can depend on one another, no matter what our political views are. I also believe strongly that, by respecting each other's differences and listening to various points of views, we can work out our differences, and by doing so, reach conclusions that will benefit us all.