big sky democrats

Photo: Senate District 25 Candidate Margie MacDonald, left, is joined by Governor Brian Schweitzer as MacDonald kicks off her campaign in Billings on March 29.

Margie is off and running in Billings. Here's the release via MacDonald for Legislature.

MacDonald Kicks off State Senate Campaign in Billings
Schweitzer: Roy Brown has said "NO" To Montana's Future

(BILLINGS) – With Governor Brian Schweitzer at her side, Margie MacDonald kicked off her campaign for the state Senate in Billings today, saying if elected she'll work to create good-paying jobs, boost education and health care, and fight to protect public lands. more

MacDonald, former executive director of the Montana Association of Churches, is running for Senate District 25 against Roy Brown, who is term limited in the Montana House of Representatives.

At a kick-off event on the Montana State University- Billings campus, MacDonald was joined by Schweitzer and a large group of supporters as she laid out her plans to move Billings forward.

Schweitzer said he'll campaign hard for MacDonald until the November election, and noted Roy Brown has said "no" to Montana's future.

"Margie shares my vision for the future of Montana," Schweitzer said. "She believes in wind power -- Roy Brown voted no. She believes in ethanol and biodeisel – Roy Brown voted no. She believes in a quality education system – Roy Brown voted no. Margie believes in scholarships for kids to achieve the middle class dream of a college education – Roy Brown voted no. Billings needs to send Margie to Helena because she'll say 'yes' to Montana's future."

MacDonald, a 27-year Billings resident, didn't pull any punches either as she echoed the Governor's sentiment.

"I encourage you to look at my opponents voting record," MacDonald said. "He consistently voted against quality education, affordable accessible healthcare, and alternative fuels. He consistently voted to weaken our clean air and clean water laws. I will vote for Montana's children and working families. I will vote for quality education. I will vote for clean air and clean water and access to public lands. I will work to begin to repair the damage caused by energy deregulation."

Before returning to Billings recently from Helena, MacDonald directed the state Office of Community Service for Gov. Schweitzer, leading efforts to mobilize volunteers and national service members to weatherize hundreds of low income homes last Fall. And as then-executive director of the Montana Association of Churches, MacDonald helped organize the "Not In Our Town" campaign in 1993 to counter efforts by white supremacist organizations trying to establish a base in Billings.

"Brian Schweitzer showed us what can be done by a strong Governor with a positive, can-do attitude," MacDonald said. "I bring the same kind of positive git 'er done attitude to these challenges. Billings needs a Senator in Helena who will work with this Governor -- not somebody standing in the way."

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