Take a closer look at Gianforte's record before deciding he is best for Montana

To the editor:

I feel compelled to respond to a letter to the editor published Feb. 11 from State Rep. Steve Gunderson (D-1) wherein he offers support for U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte’s campaign for governor. There is so much to refute here, but a full-page ad would be needed to cover it.

Rather, I beseech everyone to look at Gianforte’s abysmal record as our representative over as little a time period as the past six months at justfacts.votesmart.org. There, you can sign up for a free account and see for yourself. In fact, you can see what any of our elected officials are actually doing for — or against — us. If you do, I guarantee you’ll be shocked.

Mr. Gianforte is doing us so dirty. No one who reads his record (unless they’re an out-of-state corporation who couldn’t care less about Montanans) could get behind it. So many of the things we have come to know and love as our birthright and the benefits of living in the Treasure State are being sacrificed to his big money interests.

Gunderson’s lavish praise of this man speaks to who he (Gunderson) is as our representative from Lincoln County, where many people trust that he has their back. Gunderson fiercely promotes the indefensible, namely Gianforte, and thereby his voting record.

Who is funding them, I wonder? I will summarize a few of Gianforte’s votes and the misleading points presented by Mr. Gunderson.

Gunderson: “I have asked myself many times who the best candidate for Montana’s next governor would be and I come up with one name: U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte. … Greg developed all the right tools and skills with his experience representing Montana in the swamp called Washington, D.C. As with our president and country, Greg always has Montana’s greatness and its citizens’ prosperity in mind.”

And “Montana needs to be led by an experienced legislator with a background in running a business.”

Says who, Mr. Gunderson? His experience is one of undercutting workers and those things that enhance their lives while putting money in deep pockets. So Mr Gunderson, is that why Mr. Gianforte voted “no” on these bills that had bi-partisan support in the House? He voted “no” on the Protect Older Workers’ Act, Lower Drug Costs Act, Right to Organize Act, Outsourcing Accountability Act, Secure and Fair Enforcement Act, Raise the Wage Act, Consumer’s First Act and the Protecting American’s with Pre-existing Conditions Act.

He even voted no on the Paycheck Fairness Act.

This is a fraction of his voting record you won’t hear about in his glowing campaign ads. You’ll see a good 90 percent of his votes weaken Montana and Montanans.

Mr. Gunderson, you say in your letter that Gianforte will drain the swamp, but he’s voted against fair elections and even having witnesses in President Donald J. Trump’s impeachment trial.

Who can even say that with a straight face let alone put it in a public letter to the editor? People of Lincoln County, please take a look for yourself. Mr. Gianforte is wrong for Montana and his pal, Mr. Gunderson, is wrong for Lincoln County.

Laurie Boehler Walsh

Libby