Knudsen vs. Stone in HD 33 Republican primary

On Tuesday, June 2, Montana's Primary Election will be held and in one race on the Republican ballot, Malta's Casey Knudsen (incumbent) is being apposed by Joyce Stone of Glasgow in Montana's House District 33.

What follows are the same four questions asked of the two candidates, answered in their own words, edited only for typos and style, and listed alphabetically by last name.

Rep. Casey Knudsen

1. Tell us about yourself

My name is Casey Knudsen, and I am a 5th generation rancher from Malta, MT. I graduated from MSU-Bozeman in 2014 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and a minor in Aerospace Engineering. I moved home to the family ranch the day after graduation, and I've been home ever since. I am a volunteer firefighter, as well as the Vice-Chair of the Montana Young Republicans. I've served two terms for the people of House District 33, and am running for a third.

2. What is your motivation in running for office?

I have always had a deep desire to serve my community and a belief that to effect change, a person needs to get involved. The past two sessions I served opened up a world of problems that affect us all currently, as well as threats that come back each and every session that comes after our individual rights, and our wallets. I want to go back to Helena to help defend everyone's rights and hard-earned money.

3. What issues concern you in the position you are running for?

The biggest issues I see coming are surrounding the budget for the state of Montana as a result of the COVID economic shutdowns. Some of the projections for our budget this next biennium are downright scary, and it's going to take a lot of work to balance the budget without taxes skyrocketing or necessary services being cut from the people that need them. Along with the budget, there will be the usual attacks on our personal freedoms, such as gun control, that we need to stay vigilant and keep fighting off.

4. What skills/attributes make you a good candidate for the position?

As much as I hate talking about myself, my best quality is the fact that I consider each piece of legislation based on its merits, not on which legislator or which party is bringing it. I look at all sides of every issue, and each vote I cast is because I truly believe it is the best decision not just for this house district, but the state of Montana as a whole.

5. Why should the people of Phillips County cast their vote for you?

I care deeply about this area, and I will do everything in my power to protect it. I will fight to prevent tax increases, attacks on our constitutional rights, and to improve the government programs that are already in place and make them less susceptible to fraud and abuse. I would absolutely appreciate and am asking for everyone's vote, and I look forward to maintaining our Hi-Line way of life in the 2021 legislative session.

Joyce Stone

1. Tell us about yourself

I am a wife, mother, registered nurse, and a breast cancer survivor. As a registered nurse, I managed the Glasgow Clinic for 4.5 years before returning to inpatient nursing where I continued to work while fighting breast cancer. I am also a Board Certified Emergency Room nurse and a Certified Wound Nurse; just two of the many hats a nurse in rural Montana can wear. Cancer changed my life and not just physically. I'm a better nurse and a better human from my journey. My husband and I run a small business in the building construction trade. We have 4 children and 3 grand dogs.

2. What is your motivation in running for office?

When I fought breast cancer, I was overwhelmed by the compassion and support I was surrounded by the generous people of Northeast Montana, and I want to give back in every way I can. I decided to run in this race because I was disappointed by some of the votes that our current Representative cast the last session. Our District deserves a Representative who supports keeping our rural hospitals open and ensuring our state adequately invest in our rural communities.

3. What issues concern you in the position you are running for?

We need to ensure Northeast Montana isn't forgotten at the discussion table. We have amazing communities that contribute to the income of the state, yet we see a disproportionate amount of the monies being spent between eastern and western Montana. As your legislator, I'm willing to work hard to ensure our communities are represented in Helena. The COVID 19 crisis and economic impact will take front and center stage in the 2021 session. There are going to be tough budget choices to make. My focus will be on representing the people of Northeast Montana.

4. What skills/attributes make you a good candidate for the position?

As an ER nurse and past nursing supervisor, I am trained to work through crises both in leadership roles and as a team member. I'm able to reach out and ask for help from experts in their field to augment my understanding of the issues. I've already begun to build a small business advisory committees to make sure that all of HD 33 has a voice. I love to include more of Phillips County voices to the lists.

5. Why should the people of Phillips County cast their vote for you?

I will support pro-business policies for job growth and economic development and I'll work to keep our rural hospitals open and to provide affordable, high-quality healthcare for all Montanans, including the vulnerable, elderly, and children. Eastern Montana will never have the population numbers to compete with the Flathead or Missoula, so we need a Representative that will build relationships to get us the infrastructure and services our citizens deserve.