After nearly 12 months of campaigning the election is upon us.  I am very proud of our campaign.  We have run everything in a positive manner and focused on the issues that I believe are the most important for our state and community.  Many, many people contributed to this campaign being what it was and I would like to take this space to say thank you.  First to the volunteers: Robin, Anita, Craig, Chad, Penny, Kimm, Christian, Jedd, Pat and Bruce, Pat and Vince, Karin and Wayne, Frank, Marion and Jim, Quinty, Russ and Jean, Kim, Annie, and many others who I don't even know about, you all gave so much of yourselves for this effort and I am forever grateful.  To the more than 200 people who donated money to the campaign I can't thank you enough.  Even in tough economic times you believed enough in what we were trying to do that you supported us.  And to the hundreds of people who took the time to talk with me about the issues facing Montana, I think you are showing how we can all come together to find solutions to the problems we face.  And finally, thank you to my wife Julie, and our son Riley, who have had to put up with me campaigning for the last year, and all the highs and lows that come with it.  I love you both very much and couldn't have done this without your support.  And to anyone reading this, if you haven't already, make sure you go vote!

Patrick

Latest News and Upcoming Events

Coming November 2:  Senator Baucus and many other state and local candidates will be at the Hamilton Community Center on Sunday at 4pm for a rally!  This should be a great event to help get fired up for Tuesday's election (if you weren't already). 

October 24:   Thanks to everyone who came to the forums the past two days, and thanks to the Chamber and Summit Independent Living Center for hosting.  It turns out that the HD88 candidates will not be going to the forum in Stevensville next week, so that's it for the forums this campaign.  I will continue knocking on doors for the next 10 days and getting our message of more school funding, better job creation, and better use of our natural resources out to the voters.  It is hard to believe that the campaign is almost over but we are finishing strong!

Forums Announced:   There are three candidate forums coming in the next few weeks.  On October 23rd there will be one at the Hamilton Middle School auditorium, starting at 7pm.  On the 24th there will be a 1 pm forum on senior's issues at the Hamilton Senior's Center.  And on October 30th there will be a forum in Stevensville.  Whether you are a supporter or still undecided I hope you can make it to one of these.

October 1:  Apple Days is this weekend in Hamilton and unfortunately I will not be able to attend.  My grandmother turns 100 this weekend and I am headed to Florida to help her celebrate.  Family is incredibly important to me, and there was just no way I was missing this milestone.  Have an apple or two for me and I will be back on the campaign trail on Monday!

September 16:  Thanks to all the local business owners and the Governor for attending the Q&A session this morning.  It was great to meet with you and get your take on economic development needs in the Bitterroot.  Small business drives so much of the Montana economy and I enjoyed hearing about your successes and needs for the future.

September 9:  There are 8 weeks until election day and things have gotten very busy.  I continue to knock on doors almost every day and got the first announcement for a candidate forum (Hamilton Senior's Center, October 24th, 1 PM).  The main campaign ideas have been established.  Fighting for a lower cost-of-living, more education opportunities and more state funding for education, fair taxes and going after out-of-state tax cheats, and generating more revenue from the state's natural resources (both traditional and alternative) will be my focus if elected.  It is my goal to meet every voter before election day, but if I haven't met with you please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Primary Result:  1,387 Votes!  Thank you to everyone for voting.  Now on to the general election!