Roundup Record Tribune & Winnett Times -

Dear Editor:

I was not born here, but I like to think that having lived in Montana since the first grade essentially makes me a native Montanan. I love Montana and the people who make up the backbone of this amazing state.

When I think of the characteristics of the citizens that make Montana a wonderful place to live, I think of individuals who are hard-working, honest, and family-oriented. People who look out for and are willing to help their neighbors. People for whom the golden rule is their personal mantra. The state of Montana is full of such individuals.

Unfortunately, Montana also provides a home for individuals who say one thing and then do another. One of those individuals is Ingrid Gustafson, who is running for State Supreme Court. She notes on her campaign website that she will defend constitutional rights. As a result, I can't help but wonder just how familiar she is with the rights that the constitution clearly provides to us as citizens.

Her website says, "Throughout my judicial career, I have handled nearly 20,000 cases. I understand the gravity of judicial decisions and the significant impact those decisions have on people. I do not take this responsibility and trust placed in me by voters lightly."

Yet, as a result of her actions on the Montana Supreme Court, she has earned an F from the Montana Family Foundation and the Montana Chamber of Commerce. These are the only two organizations in Montana that rate our state Supreme Court Justices. She has clearly shown that she is anti-business, pro-criminal, and anti-law enforcement. It might be noted that her voting record does not reflect her concern for the citizens of Montana but rather her concern about supporting the Montana Trial Lawyers Association – a major backer of her campaign. The Montana Trial Lawyers Association is not concerned about the citizens of Montana either – they are concerned about getting justices on the court who are liberal and can be trusted to rule in favor of their cases.

Ingrid Gustafson and two other justices were not initially elected by the citizens of Montana but were appointed to the bench by former Governor Steve Bullock. Supreme Court justice candidates do not have to declare a party affiliation but if they did, Ingrid Gustafson would certainly affiliate with the democratic party and their ideologies.

She and the other liberal justices on the court have shown no issue with legislating from the bench – such as overturning efforts by the Montana legislature to enact voter integrity legislation.

James Brown, on the other hand, is like a breath of fresh air. He is backed by Governor Greg Gianforte and our Attorney General Austin Knudsen. I have come to know these men and know that they are determined to protect family values, Christian values, and Constitutional rights. Therefore, their backing carries a lot of weight with me.

I have met James Brown numerous times over the last couple of months and I believe he represents the ideals that are most important to me and my fellow Montanans. He is pro-family, pro-First Amendment rights, and pro-Second Amendment rights and he has demonstrated this over and over again through fighting in the courts to defend those rights.

Although he is also a 4th generation Montanan. It no longer matters to me how long an individual has lived in the state of Montana. What matters most to me is that conservative, family-supporting, Pro-constitutional rights individuals are elected to represent me and my fellow Montanans in our legislature and Supreme Court.

The records of Ingrid Gustafson and James Brown speak loudly about how they will vote on Supreme Court cases. I will be voting for James Brown.

JoAnna Oblander

Shepherd, Montana