I’ve been asked to put on my amateur political analyst hat here for a little minute to talk about Tuesday’s primary election results in the Cascade County Sheriff’s race between incumbent Republican Jesse Slaughter and challenger Jay Groskreutz.
This race wasn’t even close. Groskreutz got ‘slaughtered’ in a 70% to 30% landslide. That’s 9,248 votes for Jesse and 3,925 for Jay.
So why was it such a drubbing? Well, I can think of three reasons:
Reason One
Groskreutz didn’t have a coherent, convincing platform. His radio ads featured his plan to fight the drug crisis in our community by educating kids. ‘Just Say No’ sounds nice but folks here understand it’s just not enough, not by a long shot.
Education is a part of the solution but I think citizens prefer a sheriff who focusses on declaring war on local drug dealers and aggressively going after and arresting them.
Reason Two
Groskreutz said and did nothing about the slimy, personal, unfair and untrue smears against Slaughter by the far left and their lapdogs in local ‘news’ media and blogs, painting Slaughter as a white supremacist, militia kook, and worse.
The problem with those kinds of outright lies is that folks in this community have known Jesse and Undersheriff Reeves personally for a long time and they understand the absurdity contained in the kind of tripe being pushed by the Great Falls Tribune and others.
Groskreutz should have and could have repudiated that sewage, which he knew to be lies, and still run an honorable and vigorous campaign. I think someone gave him bad advice.
Reason Three
Goskreutz readily accepted the endorsement of the local Democrat machine. When a Republican is the Democrat’s favorite and handpicked candidate on the GOP primary ballot no one should be surprised when the vast majority of Republican voters filling out that ballot take note and vote against the Democrat’s pick.
Sheriff Slaughter deserved the win because he’s done an outstanding job for four years as Cascade County Sheriff and because he campaigned hard and with honor in this primary. Congratulations to him and Cory Reeves.
Now local Democrats and their pals in the media are coordinating a smear campaign against Sheriff Slaughter, coughing up their hairballs of hate and rage just as ballots are being sent out to voters for the June primary election.
More on that in a bit, but back to The Breakup for a minute: Should anyone really be surprised that a lifelong law enforcement officer like Slaughter would choose to disassociate himself from a political movement that engaged in the ‘Defund The Police’, anti-law enforcement hate, hysteria, and histrionics that characterized the Democrat Party, including the local branch, starting in 2020?
As Slaughter said then, “I didn’t leave the Democrats, they left me.”
So here we are today and the local Democrats’ need for revenge is strong. So strong that they are urging Democrat voters to vote the GOP primary ballot.
“You may never have imagined Democrats encouraging citizens to vote the GOP primary ballot, but it’s imperative if we want to deny Slaughter another four years as Cascade County Sheriff…WHY REPUBLICAN in JUNE? Sadly, no Democrat candidate filed for the sheriff’s race, so the sheriff election will be determined in the June primary…”
This document is the exact same garbage and nonsense about Sheriff Slaughter recently printed in the Great Falls Tribune. It’s straight ahead, far left Democrat propaganda against Slaughter from the partisan hacks at an extremist liberal advocacy group called MHRAN, whose “research”, objectivity, and credibility is a pathetic joke.
But the local Democrats are desperate because they know what’s coming in November, nationally and in Cascade County. It’s why they have no candidate for Sheriff here.
‘Gutter politics is alive and well in Cascade County! This past week our “friends” in the Democrat party unleashed an all-out assault on Sheriff Jesse Slaughter. This political assassination attempt has to be one of the most underhanded efforts to sway an election in memory…Someone needs to remind candidate Groskreutz of the old saying, “By your silence you give consent!” ‘
I agree. I’m a Republican. I voted on the Republican ballot.
Representative Wendy McKamey is happy to announce her candidacy for Senate District 12.
A local Cascade County area rancher along with her husband Les, Wendy raised their seven children: Monika, Michael, Mark, Matthew, Mitchell Marshall and Merrill in the wholesome, hard-working environment of production agriculture. She’s been employed as a teacher, the area executive director for the American Cancer Society, an account executive, and remains primarily a mother and business woman who happens to hold a Bachelor of Science degree in management. McKamey is known for her over 40 years of active service to the community in Great Falls and Cascade schools, in FFA, Boy Scouts, 4-H, numerous community Boards and her church. Wendy is an accomplished pianist and remains active in sharing that with the community-at-large, as well. Wendy McKamey previously represented half of the District 12 area well as the Representative for House District 23 and is excited for the opportunity to serve them again, along with House District 24 as they together form the entirety of Senate District 12.
Wendy McKamey’s voting record consistently aligns with the United States Constitution and she has solidly represented these values while serving first HD23 and then HD19 for a total of four sessions in the Montana House of Representatives. McKamey has consequently received endorsements and commendations from Montana Farm Bureau, Montana Chamber of Commerce, Montana Contractors, United Property Owners of Montana, Montana Realtors Association, Montana Family Foundation, Montana Medical Association, American Conservative Union, Americans For Prosperity, National Federation of Independent Business- Montana, Montana Shooting Sports Association and National Rifle Association. Examples of Wendy McKamey’s work in the 67th Legislative Session in 2021 include:
Sponsored and Passed HB 11, which appropriates Treasure State Endowment funds for infrastructure projects and emergency grants to local governments.
Sponsored and Passed comprehensive election integrity and security legislation.
Sponsored and Passed HB 351, which allows local school boards to provide students personalized, proficiency-based education.
Authorized healthcare co-ops and allowed the purchase of healthcare across state lines to keep costs affordable.
Voted to allow individuals to carry a concealed firearm if otherwise lawfully entitled to possess one.
A Life member of the NRA, Wendy McKamey is a strong supporter of 2nd Amendment rights, and will continue to fight for free enterprise and job creation unhindered by excessive regulation; quality education with local school control; intelligent development of Montana’s abundant resources and simplified tax code with the lowest taxes as possible.
Here’s Wendy McKamey’s personal message to each of you: “It will be my pleasure to meet you in the near future as I go door to door in the District. In the meantime, I encourage you to contact me. You are welcome to email me at wsgmckamey@gmail.com or call me at home: 866-3300. I want what you want. Let’s work together. I appreciate your vote”
The reason I decided to run for Senate District 12 is my opponent has lost touch with Montana values. My opponent does not live in SD 12 or even in Great Falls. I believe SD 12 deserves a Senator that lives in the District, not out of town, and understands our issues.
I have serious concerns about Montana healthcare issues. Nursing homes and hospitals around the country are critically short staffed, thanks to federal government vaccine mandates which forced many out of the profession. Now the feds want to mandate staffing ratios. As someone with first-hand knowledge of healthcare issues, I know federal government involvement is not the way. I believe Montana can fix our own problems. SD 12 deserves better.
I believe the current challenges facing Montana include: Inflation is highest in 40 years. Government needs to work within a budget, while holding taxes down. Montana needs to increase our natural resources and oil production. Montana needs to become a place for companies to look to relocated from high tax states, and those moving back to the USA. Illegal drugs, and human trafficking need to be addressed, as well as homelessness. I support Law Enforcement and a strong Military.
I have worked in retail, insurance and advertising. When I became a CNA that I found my passion. I started at the Liberty Medical Center in Chester and continued at Benefis Health Systems in Great Falls. While at Benefis I worked in the Patient Flow Department, which places staff in different departments based on workload need. I continued at Benefis as a nurse after getting my LPN and RN.
My love of nursing led me to become a Clinical Nursing Instructor at GFC-MSU, helping others become nurses. This year marked my 6th graduating class of LPN’s and RN’s.
I attended The College of Great Falls (University of Providence) and graduated with a B.S. in Social Psychology from Park University at Malmstrom AFB. I received my LPN and RN from Great Falls College – MSU.
I have been involved in a number of organizations over the years, including: Young Republicans, Pachyderms, Junior League, GFC-MSU Nursing Advisory Board, Missouri River Women Shooters and have trained with the Community Emergency Response Team.
My parents Don Tornberg and Marilyn Carrico were both born and raised in Great Falls. I am a 4th generation Montanan, and 3rd generation resident of Senate District 12. We moved to Oregon when I was 4, and after my father died, returned to Montana. I lived in Missouri for 1 year and New York for 1.5 years, always returning to Great Falls. There is just no place like home.
In 2005 I married Shawn Meissner of Chester where we spent a few years splitting time between his family ranch, and my home in Great Falls. We made Great Falls are primary home in 2008, I enjoy spending time with family, reading, camping, and volunteering.
I’m running for office to serve others and a cause greater than self by solving problems for people. I have grown a housing business across Montana in the private sector and served our nation and state for twenty years in uniform. I am motivated to put my god given abilities to work for the greater good by making wise, careful, and truthful decisions that generate smart, conservative, free-market based solutions.
Through the wisdom of our Founding Fathers and Constitution we have a form of government that allows for strong state-level action against federal over-reach. From fiscal irresponsibility and a senseless energy policy to an inability to work together so much of today’s trouble is the result of failed federal leadership. We can fight similar dysfunction at the state level. While Americans flee places like California we can play our role in the “laboratory of states” by offering an example of a different path forward in Montana.
My experience in business drives my belief in government that is transparent, efficient, and accountable to tax-payers. We sorely need elected officials who understand the difference between smart investments and wasteful spending. Property tax relief is one of the chief concerns I hear knocking on doors every day and we must take action during the next legislative session. Additionally, as a veteran, mental health needs are close to my heart. Above all, however, economic growth and addressing our housing shortage top my list of priorities as success in “root cause” areas multiplies possibilities elsewhere.
The lack of attainable housing is slamming the brakes on our economic engine. Job creators can’t grow without employees who can afford to call Montana home. Worse yet, a generation of young families are losing hope in the prospect of homeownership, the foundation of the American dream, and a pillar of a healthy opportunity driven society.
It is past time for the state to pressure localities to deregulate restrictive zoning, move towards “by right” housing specific development/subdivision, and standardize/deregulate the use of ADUs (Additional Dwelling Units). We must also do better at encouraging skilled trades training and apprenticeships. These measures as well as a Montana Housing Tax Credit would boost construction, expand our tax base, create thousands of jobs, and offer homes for workers and Montana families. That’s a “win/win” growth and opportunity proposition. Please review additional details and my other issue positions at georgeforus.com
If elected I will never forget that I am taking a step down to serve under people, not over them. I will always act with integrity, work tirelessly to be of service to our community, and show up to listen and learn from people. I hope to earn the opportunity to serve Great Falls to the best of my ability.
Because of her innate love of Montana and the heart of a servant for her fellow Montanans, Marci Marceau is stepping up to run for the seat in HD 26. Marci believes that if enough common sense citizens stand for the state, and the way of life, we all love, this area will remain as truly one of the last best places.
Marci’s roots run deep in Central and Eastern Montana. She went to Sacajawea Elementary School in Great Falls and graduated from CMR in 1980. Like so many young people, she moved away for a short time, yet returned to Great Falls when she married Bill Marceau. Her time away from Montana made her realize the truly special nature of her home. As entrepreneurs for over a decade, they own Martin’s RV Service and Luz’s Mexican Food so Marci understands the day to day realities of successfully working with people while balancing the books.
Marci has been politically minded for many years, yet never considered being seriously engaged until recently. With Bill’s encouragement, she decided to throw her hat into the ring in an effort to support everyone who cherishes the freedoms we hold so dear. Marci believes, “The world wants to live in the United States and the United States wants to live in Montana. People love Montana because we have freedoms that we must preserve.”
In 2018 I ran for Cascade County Sheriff because I saw an opportunity to improve leadership and accountability at the Sheriff’s Office. I was inspired to bring transparency to the office and restore confidence to the people of Cascade County. I knew it would be challenging and I knew a culture change would not be embraced by everyone. However, I knew our community deserved it.
As soon as we took office, and each day since, we’ve made it our mission to put our community first. Simply put, we’ve kept our promises.
The team at CCSO has accomplished so much in my first term. Here is a short list of things we’ve done that directly affect public safety:
Streamlined staffing to put more deputies on the street
Added 5 deputies to the annual budget
Added 3 detention officers to the annual budget
Added an Internet Crimes Against Children Detective
Created a Violent Crimes Prevention Task Force
Created a civilian Use of Force Review Committee
Improved capacity at the jail, by removing state prison
Made major repairs to the jail, improving security
Started the CCSO’s first online crime reporting system
Introduced an improved body camera program
Created a new K9 Program
Introduced the Angel Initiative, which provides drug addiction assistance
Moved the 24/7 program to downtown Great Falls
Revitalized the Reserve Deputy Program
Updated patrol vehicle video systems and body worn cameras
Created a Resident Deputy Program
Introduced the Drug Endangered Children Program
Acquired a body scanner for the jail
Purchased new riot gear for Our community
Moved processing juveniles, with felony charges, to the JDC
I have served in law enforcement for over twenty-two years. I am guided by my faith and my family. My wife, Christie, serves as a Victim Witness Advocate on the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole. We have three amazing children and Christie and I each serve as volunteers in multiple facets in Cascade County.
I am proud to be your Sheriff and I truly care about the people of Cascade County. I am dedicated to putting the community first, keeping the promises I make, and protecting your freedoms.
I am accountable to the community members of Cascade County, my boss.
I believe the best predictor of future performance is past performance .You hired me in 2018 to bring a change to the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office. I am proud to say we’ve done that, but there is more to do. To keep moving forward, I’d be honored to have your vote on June 7th.
I’ve worked for Cascade County Sheriff’s Office for 22 years. I have served in a supervisory role as a corporal and sergeant at the jail, and in numerous leadership positions as a patrol deputy, including SWAT, coroner, Search and Rescue, a School Resource Officer, a resident deputy for the town of Belt, and as a corporal. My wife of 22 years and I have raised our two daughters in this county. We love to hunt, fish, camp, and spend time together as a family. I want to serve Cascade County as sheriff to make our county safer and our sheriff’s office stronger.
The number one public safety issue plaguing our county is drugs. I intend to wage a county-wide battle against the drug problem, because not only is the drug abuse a problem, but it creates other issues for our county too – thefts, assaults, sex crimes, and one of the most overlooked – crimes against children. That’s why the Drug Endangered Children approach is at the core of my plan. This nationally recognized approach does not cost us more money and has the potential to bring drug-fighting money into our county. The DEC approach allows us to proactively help children through better collaboration with agencies and community partners, such as Alliance for Youth, Toby’s House, and the Dandelion Foundation. It also means enhanced training for our employees.
Another of my priorities as sheriff is to provide leadership for our sheriff’s office, which will, in turn, improve employee retention and morale. I will spend every day as sheriff making sure our deputies and detention officers have the tools and training they need to make them effective and to keep them safe so they can go home to their families. These men and women need to know how valuable they are to me and to our county. They need a leader who communicates a vision and works alongside them to carry it out. I want our detention officers to be emboldened, and I want our deputies to know the county. We play a huge role in making this county better and safer, so we have to know the citizens and businesses who make this county great. When deputies and detention officers get the leadership and training they deserve, they are more effective at their jobs, and that means a safer Cascade County.
We also have to make current sheriff’s office programs and task forces work for OUR county. A lot of the ineffectiveness of our programs is related to poor employee retention and a lack of leadership and vision. If we could maintain higher retention, we’d be able to keep deputies on task forces and in specialized fields, such as K9 handlers. The sheriff needs to be the one to provide a vision for these programs. You can’t just start a program or a task force and waste incredible resources – namely our people – on mediocre plans. You have to finish it. That requires leadership. I intend to provide that leadership for Cascade County.
Editors note: the opinions expressed in our letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions of E-City Beat, our volunteer staff or contributors. All letters to the editor are welcome and will be considered for publication. Please include your name and city of residence and email to ectitybeat@straymoose.com.See our local legislative primary rundown here – 4 Statehouse Primaries On Tap In Cascade County: 3 GOP, 1 Dem
I am proud to write this letter in support of Representative Wendy McKamey, candidate for the office of Senate District 12. I have had the honor of serving with Wendy McKamey in the House of Representatives during the 66th and 67th Legislative Sessions. In addition, Wendy and I have served together on the House State Administration Committee which Wendy served as Vice-Chair of in 2019 and Chair of in 2021.
In Committee and on the House Floor, Wendy has consistently supported and sponsored bills promoting strong election integrity access and efficiency. Wendy has also worked with Veterans and Veteran programs throughout her tenure to promote and strengthen Veteran’s programs and services. In 2019, Wendy sponsored HB 351, which provides unlimited pathways for personalized, proficiency-based education honoring local school trustees control and providing support through grant funding.
Wendy is a proven leader, mentoring new legislators, such as myself. She utilizes her experience and knowledge to explain the processes of committees, navigating bills through the legislative system, and helping to search out solutions. As a Legislator, Wendy always takes the time to talk to and address the concerns of her constituents and works tirelessly to advocate for the issues of her District and for the betterment of all Montanans.
Vote for Wendy McKamey for Senate District 12, a Leader with Experience!
Rep. Julie Dooling Montana House of Representatives House District 70 -Broadwater & Lewis and Clark County 406-471-4125
In 1999, the U.S. education system was ranked first in the world. By 2009, the U.S. had dropped to 18th place. The U.S. is now behind all industrialized nations and even several third world nations.
In 2019, Great Falls Public Schools reported to the U.S. Dept. of Education that of our graduating class, 54% were NOT ready for college or career. GFPS also reported that 67% of our high school students are below proficiency in math, 61% below proficiency in science, and 58% below proficiency in reading. The percentages from last year are even worse. Simply put, the majority of students in the GFPS system are performing below grade level!
The mission on the GFPS website clearly states: “We successfully educate students to navigate their future”. The first thing we need to do is to face the truth of our situation. We are failing at our mission. We are not successfully educating our students. We are not setting them up to ‘navigate their future.’ Since the district’s mission is educating students, both the trustees and administration are failing the students and the community.
We also must be honest with our students. When a student fails to accomplish the learning needed to advance to the next grade, the student needs to have additional time and assistance to accomplish that task. The current policy is to move the student to the next grade despite the fact that they have not met the requirements to advance. This is Social Promotion which sets the students up for failure and it needs to stop!
One of the questionnaires I was given, asked, “If elected, what will you do to promote the positive aspects of the Great Falls Public Schools and minimize the negativity often seen and/or heard in public or social media?” I will not be a part of a program that focuses on dishonest ‘happy talk.’ The objective of a school system is to educate.
There are standardized, widely accepted metrics to determine if that goal is being accomplished. By using these objective measures, we are able to asses academic performance. I believe in giving credit where credit is due. When our students or the school systems accomplishments are positive, there should be recognition. Conversely, when there are documented shortcomings, the administration and the trustees need to own the problems and address them head-on!
The constituents (the citizens of the school district) support the school district through taxation. For school year 2021-2022 the GFPS projected revenue was $115, 957,403. Everyone of those dollars came from the taxpayers, which begs the question. Are the taxpayers getting what they are paying for? We need to look at how we were educating our children (curriculum and methods) when we were number 1 in the world because what we are doing now is not working.
There are times when what was done in the past is better than our “new and improved” approach. We need to get back to the basics.
My name is Nathan Reiff (pronounced Rife), and I work as a commercial lender at First Interstate Bank. I have lived in Great Falls for the past 18 years. During that time I worked for 14 years at the University of Providence, first as an assistant wrestling coach, then in the student affairs department as a freshmen experience coordinator, and then as the director of student engagement. In 2019, I moved to the Great Falls Development Authority as a business development officer and advisor. I moved to FIB in 2021. I have a daughter who is a senior at Great Falls High. As a family, we like to ski and travel. We are especially fond of Showdown and the great community atmosphere there. I love to cook and garden and am especially fond of my tomatoes.
I believe most community members value education and our schools, but many are not aware of the lack of funding and the needs of the school district. The district has had to cut staff and programs. The administration, along with KEY and other community members and businesses, have done a good job educating the public about these problems, and we need to continue to do this; especially in years (like this one) when the district is not asking for additional funding. Funding needs to be about engagement and connecting the value of the schools to the community. The previous years have been challenging for teachers, students, staff, administration, and parents. We will need to continue to focus on recovering the gap created by the pandemic to ensure we are helping students reach and meet their educational goals.
There have been a number of successes in programs and education. We have continued to build our apprenticeship programs and are poised to do even more with the continued development of our Career and Technical Education departments. We have expanded our outreach to homeless students and their families. This is essential as we work to keep them in school and ready to graduate and to be career and college ready. We adopted a new English curriculum that should help us overcome some of the learning loss, while providing additional challenges for those who continue to excel.
Schools, and an educated community, are an essential part of a vibrant community. I want to increase the strength of our educational system. That means working with teachers and administrators to understand their aspirations, concerns, and needs. I have benefited from the education my daughter has received. I have also seen how essential it is to have educated individuals for businesses. I would like the opportunity to give back to the school district by serving as a trustee.
Hello readers, my name is Paige Turoski and I am running for the Great Falls School Board.
I first moved to Great Falls in 2013 to finish my undergraduate degree at the University of Great Falls where I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Mathematics.
I met my husband while in school, we married and now have two wonderful boys, Anthony (6) and Killian (3). I am currently a stay-at-home-mom, my hobbies include trips to the range to exercise my second amendment rights, as well as fixing up the old house we call home. As a family, we love heading out to the creek over the summer with our 5 year-old pitbull, Juliette. We also love our church, Saint Mark the Evangelist Orthodox Christian Mission.
I am running for the school board because there is a lack of sensible and responsible representation on the current board, something felt by parents all over the Great Falls area. I am prepared to put differences aside and work with parents, teachers, and administrators to focus on the education of our children.
One of the biggest challenges facing our district is the failing proficiency rates of our students. Our high schools boast 80% graduation rates, however they rank in the bottom 50% of all high schools in the state of Montana. This is, in part, due to the fact that less than half of the students are at the right grade level for reading, writing, and math. Basic education for our children must come first, and it will take a combined effort between the board, parents, teachers, and administrators to both address these problems as well as work towards a solution.
One of the best ways I can think to do this is to put political differences aside and keep the focus on what is best for the children’s education. Which brings me to the second issue I see facing the district, letting politics distract from the education of the students in the district.
A good example is the debate over the mask mandate. There is no denying that masking and mask mandates became a highly political topic, very quickly. Too much time was spent debating something that should have been a decision between students and their parents. Masking should have been optional from the start. Our students should never have been denied access to an education just because they did not want to wear a face covering. Nor should students have been treated as differently, or less than, for choosing to exercise their bodily autonomy.
With proficiency rates as low as ours, that time and effort would have been better spent discussing how to educate our children in the basics, reading, writing, and math instead of a useless political distraction. A strong school district is a valuable asset to any community. Not only will the students education be a representation of where they came from, but our schools are a representation of our values as a community.
