Billed as focusing on public lands, a town hall hosted by U.S. Senator Jon Tester March 17 also attracted questions about budget cuts, federal employee safety, cabinet nominees, the wall promised by President Trump on the border with Mexico, the Supreme Court nominee, an upcoming special election and more. In contrast to the rowdiness and contention of recent town halls across the nation held by Republicans, the largely Democratic pro-Tester crowd offered frequent compliments and words of thanks. One speaker thanked Tester for holding “a real town hall meeting” and not the phone town halls Montana’s other senator, Republican Steve Daines, has been holding.
“We really appreciate your taking democracy seriously,” said the speaker. Daines has reportedly said he is able to reach more Montanans, particularly in rural areas, with his phone town halls, but critics have accused him of dodging facing his constituents. Tester repeatedly expressed the view that democracy is being challenged and urged listeners to stay involved. He encouraged them to contact his office and those of other elected officials with input, advising them to ask friends and relatives in other states to contact their lawmakers.
“Public involvement is the key to democracy,” he said. The senator also decried the influence of money on elections, saying, “We need campaign reform in this country so bad.” In response to a question about the upcoming special election between Democrat Rob Quist and Republican Greg Gianforte to fill the vacancy created by the movement of Ryan Zinke to head the Department of the Interior, Tester predicted Quist will be far outspent. He urged Quist supporters to go out and find ten people who did not vote in the last election and urge them to vote for Quist.
