Some Cool Stuff

by: Matt Singer

Wed Nov 07, 2007 at 11:29:37 AM MST

• The top vote getters in both Helena and Missoula were also the youngest winners (and possibly the youngest candidates). In Missoula, newly minted Councilman-elect Jason Wiener and in Helena, Matt Elsaesser. I consider both friends (and I like to think they'd reciprocate). Missoula and Helena will both be better off for their passion, thoughtfulness, and intelligence.


• Both cities also overwhelmingly passed calls for the U.S. to withdraw from Iraq -- the sooner the better. I've been getting some calls about what impact this will have. My suggestion? Ask our federal delegation. The biggest questions: Is Dennis Rehberg listening? And do Senators Tester and Baucus feel emboldened by these votes?


• Brittany Kailey won the council seat she was vying for in Dillon, knocking off the councilman who worked with the mayor to abuse their positions to harass Brittany's husband. Nice work, my friends.


• Pam Walzer won in Ward 2 -- the first progressive victory in the Ward in like 8 or 10 years. That was pretty cool. Just so we're clear -- Forward Montana didn't endorse Pam or any other candidates. But we did work hard on voter education in the area -- and Don Nicholson refused to engage in any of our activities. That may also be a lesson in Ward 4, where incumbent Jerry Ballas, no left-winger himself, ended up the preferred candidate of Missoula progressives, but still seemed unwilling to talk to us.


• Montana native and occasional Left in the West contributor Gerik had a huge role in Oregon's Measure 49 -- which just passed with over 60% of the vote. Gerik's also an old friend and one of the hardest workers I've met in life. Big ups to him for his hard-earned victory.