Rob Quist cares about Montana and all its people

I’ve known Rob Quist since I was in college, where his wife and I were friends. But that’s not why I voted for him.

I’ve watched Rob evolve as a musician whose music has elated and reflected Montanans for decades. But that’s not why I voted for him.

I’ve observed Rob raise two great kids but care for many more and struggle with health and finances but contribute his time and talent over and over again to many Montana causes. But that’s not why I voted for him.

Over the course of nearly half a century, I’ve known Rob Quist to be a man of good heart. Year after year, decade after decade, he has shown himself to be unfailingly kind to, concerned about, and truly interested in everyone he encounters. Because he cares about people, he respects Montanans’ varied points of view, understands that our experiences are as varied as our landscapes, and has spent his adult life trying to hear, understand, and express those perspectives and experiences in ways that will make all our lives better.

Over all that time, Rob has consistently shown the deep love he has for the land we call Montana, the science, history and art that have shaped it, and the people who rely on it, not just for a livelihood, but for a way of life that goes deeper than economics or recreation, a way of being that becomes core to who you are.

I want someone with that kind of heart representing me and you at a time when truly caring about the human agenda — and being candid about how your agenda fits into that larger picture — has never been more important. That’s why I voted for Rob Quist. I hope you will too.

Mary Sheehy Moe is a retired state senator who lives in Great Falls.