Both of the candidates running in the June 4, 2024, Democratic primary election for Montana House of Representatives District 63 — John Hansen (D) and Peter Strand (D) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Here are the candidates’ responses to the question: What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
Hansen:
- “First, I’m running to protect our rights under the Montana Constitution. Right now, Montana’s current leadership threatens to strip our privacy rights and other inalienable rights guaranteed in our Constitution.
- Property taxes are far too high, and the current leadership in Helena raised our property taxes even higher during the last session. It’s outrageous that despite having a historic $2.5B surplus, that Montana homeowners will see a tax hike this November.
- It’s high time we recognize that far too many Montanans are falling through the cracks. In Bozeman, our streets are lined with cars, RVs and make-shift shelters that serve as homes. We need an economy that works for everyone.”
Strand:
- “We must respond to the needs of regular Montanans…rather than the wealthy elite. This means worker protections, respect for public lands, access to meaningful public services, and access to affordable living.
- We must step up with robust support for public schools. Only with meaningful support for our schools will we prepare Montana for a meaningful future.
- Costs. The cost of living here is skyrocketing. We must put our heads together to do something about it. Spiking our property taxes doesn’t help. Empowering Northwest Energy to do what it wants doesn’t help. Avoiding the hard questions about affordable housing doesn’t help. We must take on related challenges with seriousness.”
Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.
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