Compare the Candidates
Representative
Ed Stafman
The Republican candidate
On a Few Important Issues
MY OPPONENT:
Community Connections
Moved to Bozeman from California during the pandemic.
No Bozeman donors. Previous campaign was promoted by “Republicans for Freedom,” a far right Kalispell PAC
Stated reason for running for office two years ago (Bozeman Daily Chronicle): “I’m worried that the influx of people, like me unfortunately, are going to change the nature of the town and the state.”
No known community involvement or organizational endorsements.
REP. ED STAFMAN:
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Your neighbor for decades.
Hundreds of Bozeman donors/volunteers support the campaign.
Active in numerous community organizations supporting conservation, civil rights & social justice, faith & interfaith work, education, and music and arts. Has taught kids to ski through Eagle Mount, waited tables at the Fork & Spoon, packed food at the Food Bank, helped house and feed homeless families through Family Promise, taught at MSU & OLLI.
Endorsed by Montana Conservation Voters (Lifetime champion), Montana Sportsman’s Alliance, Sierra Club, Montana Federation of Public Employees, AFL-CIO, Montana Rural Voters, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, Big Sky 55+, Montana Families for Childhood Vaccines, Everytown for Gun Safety, others.
MY OPPONENT:
OUR WORK
Attorney representing out of state corporations.
Long time member of the highly partisan and divisive Federalist Society, through which judges loyal to former President Trump are vetted.
Successfully argued in the United State Supreme Court in the Hobby Lobby case for “religious rights” for corporations to deny contraceptive healthcare coverage to their employees.
Argued in the Supreme Court to uphold state bans on same sex marriage. He publicly called the ruling affirming the right to same sex marriage “lawless and incoherent.”
REP. ED STAFMAN:
OUR WORK
Twenty-five years as a civil rights attorney fighting for the rights of ordinary people.
Ten years as Bozeman's first resident rabbi, now Rabbi Emeritus, leading many interfaith programs bringing diverse people together.
Two terms in Montana’s legislature. In freshman term, elected on a bipartisan vote to chair a major committee, and built bipartisan consensus to improve Montana's mental health system.
Filed bills last session to prevent the recent property tax increase, increase access to mental health care, protect health care coverage for young children, increase access to attainable housing.
Organized Bozeman’s religious community to support Bozeman’s non-discrimination ordinance.
MY OPPONENT:
TAXES
No record.
REP. ED STAFMAN:
TAXES
Filed HB 253 in the last session, which would have significantly limited the recent Republican super-majority’s property tax increases by shifting some of the burden from primary residences to out of state second home owners and short term rentals.
MY OPPONENT:
PRIVACY RIGHTS
Successfully argued in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a corporation’s religious right to exclude contraceptive coverage in health insurance policies.
REP. ED STAFMAN:
PRIVACY RIGHTS
Consistently advocated for the right to privacy, and to keep government out of private and personal health care decisions. Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana.
MY OPPONENT:
Conservation & Public Lands
No record, but his party’s platform opposes taking any action on climate change.
REP. ED STAFMAN:
Conservation & Public Lands
Supports and will defend Montana’s constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment”.
Sought to lower Northwest Energy’s carbon output by 33%, saving ratepayers $200 million.
Endorsed by numerous conservation organizations.
Supports keeping public lands in public hands.
MY OPPONENT:
HEALTH CARE
Successfully argued in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a corporation’s religious right to exclude contraceptive coverage in health insurance policies.
REP. ED STAFMAN:
HEALTH CARE
Will support continuation of Montana’s Medicaid program, which supports Montana’s hospitals, healthcare workers, economy, and assures many Montanans of healthcare coverage.
Has proposed legislation to expand access to mental health care, children’s health care, and reproductive health care.
MY OPPONENT:
EDUCATION
No record.
REP. ED STAFMAN:
EDUCATION
Former president of a parent’s organization. Emphasizes the importance of parents, teachers and administrators working together for the best education for our kids.
Opposes siphoning off tax dollars from public schools to private schools which are unaccountable to taxpayers.