Dear Editor: Support for Ray Shaw

Dear Editor,

Running for public office is not for the faint of heart. City council members, county commissioners, school board trustees, and state legislators all require a big commitment to do their jobs well. I admire anyone who tosses their hat into the ring. As taxpayers and voters, we all must participate by educating ourselves on the candidate's priorities and policies and, most importantly, voting. Our jobs are not done yet. We must remain engaged in the budgeting and policy-making discussions. Learn about the budgets and how they will affect your property and income taxes, and make comments. Good government requires everyone's respectful and meaningful participation.

An open state Senate seat, SD 35, which includes Beaverhead, Madison, and parts of Jefferson and Gallatin counties, will be decided in the primary election. Please take a close look at Ray Shaw.

Ray is the former Representative for HD 71 and was termed out in 2020. Ray served our district well as an advocate for veterans, private property rights, the agriculture community, education, behavioral healthcare, and the natural resources industries, and he possesses conservative values. He has lived and worked his entire life in Madison County and is a small business owner. The experience that he gained while serving his constituents is of great value. The legislative process is, at best, chaotic, and one needs to have a solid understanding and foundation to have a meaningful impact. There will be many challenging issues before the 2025 session, i.e., property taxes, housing, and water policy. Ray has stayed abreast of these and others by remaining actively engaged with legislators and agency policymakers throughout the past years. He understands that being a good legislator means the job doesn't end after 90 days, but that service and advocacy to the constituents are for the full term. In short, he can hit the ground running and represent his constituents well. That is why Governor Gianforte has endorsed Ray for this seat.

Please join me in support of Ray Shaw for Senate District 35.

KEN WALSH, Representative for HD 71

Twin Bridges, Montana