Daines files for House run near family homestead in Conrad

Posted on April 16, 2012 by admin

Bozeman businessman Steve Daines officially declared his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, formalizing an active political campaign he has waged since announcing his intention to run for U.S. Senate in November 2010.

Daines, a Republican, dropped his bid to run for the Senate after current Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg announced his intention to challenge Democrat Jon Tester in the Senate race.

Daines chose a small restaurant in Conrad, the Home Café, for his filing location. The choice was unusual in that a majority of congressional candidates file directly with the Montana Secretary of State’s Office in Helena.

“The reason we are in Conrad today is, this is where my great-great-grandmother homesteaded, right around the turn of the century,” Daines told an audience of about 20 people. “She’s buried over there at the Golden West Cemetery — in fact, my great-grandma and great-grandpa are buried out there as well.”

Daines said the choice of his forbearers to leave Europe and come to America to seek freedom and opportunity was in stark contrast to the political direction of the nation today — a direction he characterized as an unsustainable path of government spending and public debt.

“We are not going to be able to solve our problems here by making our government bigger,” Daines said. “We cannot solve our problems by empowering our government to make more. We need to empower Americans to create more. I think that really defines the two visions of America we have today — back in Washington, and in this campaign heading into 2012.”

Daines said he supports a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the complete repeal of the health care plan passed by Congressional Democrats in 2010, no new taxes and decreased government regulation.

“There are some 200 new regulations proposed at this moment in Washington,” Daines said. “And each would have $100 million or greater economic impact on this nation. That’s something we’ve got to push back on. In fact, it’s been said the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) should be named the Employment Prevention Agency.”

Daines currently serves as vice president for RightNow Technologies, a computer software company based in Bozeman.

Daines faces a primary challenge from Helena author Eric Brosten. Five Democrats also have filed for Montana loan seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Source: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20120229/NEWS01/202290310

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Daines has right idea about energy

Posted on January 26, 2012 by admin
The Keystone XL Pipeline would have pumped billions into a weak economy, dramatically decreased our dependence on foreign oil, and provided an “on-ramp” for Montana and North Dakota oil production that currently lacks infrastructure.

President Obama denied the pipeline’s permit anyways. And he did so in spite of the reality of the situation. The oil is coming out of the ground one way or another. The alternative to a pipeline is shipping crude by railway or by ship destined to China, which will lead to more spills and to oil being refined at dirtier facilities.

The State Department’s Environmental Impact Statement showed that this pipeline is the most environmentally friendly way to get oil into the United States.

A just-the-facts approach would’ve meant this pipeline’s approval. But, sadly, it was never about facts.

Montanans should take a close look at the people they’ll send to Congress next year. There was once a time in America when Congress passed laws that cleared the way for the creation of infrastructure projects that put thousands to work and opened up markets, making oil, electricity, and everything that depends on those cornerstone commodities cheaper and more available.

Among the people committed to again clearing the way for such projects is Steve Daines, running for House, who supports making it easier to put oil on pipelines, coal on trains, and wind on the wires. I hope all Montana’s candidates for Congress will stand with Steve on this important question.

Published: Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Travis Kavulla, chairman

State Public Service Commision

Great Falls

 

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Inc. magazine features Bozeman as a good place for tech startups

Posted on December 22, 2011 by admin

Chronicle Staff | Posted: Thursday, December 22, 2011 12:15 am

An article in the December issue of Inc. magazine features Bozeman is an ideal place to start a technology business.

“For a number of tech startups, it’s the Gallatin Valley – not the Silicon Valley – that offers the best environment for growth,” the article states.

Inc. cites Bozeman businesses such as online appointment booking platform Schedulicity, social media and e-learning platform Wisetail, software provider RightNow Technologies and TechRanch in the article.

“(Bozeman is) a small town in southwestern Montana right in the mountains with fantastic schools and unbelievable opportunities for recreation, so we have people that come here from all over,” Schedulicity founder Jerry Nettuno states in the article. “People come (here) generally to look for a better, simpler way of life.”

Schedulicity employs 19 people in Bozeman.

“People in Bozeman aren’t agitated and they aren’t in a hurry all the time,” Nettuno states. “So, finding support people that are happy and enjoy talking to customers is really easy.”

The Inc. magazine issue including the article is currently on newsstands.

Source: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_f10aeb2c-2c1e-11e1-882d-001871e3ce6c.html

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Congressman Denny Rehberg launches “Liberate Main Street” Initiative

Posted on November 1, 2011 by admin

Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg was in Bozeman today as part of his statewide “Liberate Main Street” Initiative.

Rehberg says he’s trying to highlight the importance of working to restore Main Street as a means of creating jobs and getting our economy back on track. He says he’s trying to address small business concerns, whether it’s taxation, regulation or litigation.

“Virtually every community in America has a Main Street,” Rehberg said. “And so we wanted to draw attention to what Main Street needs which is to be liberated from government rules and regulations. And it’s not just one rule or two rules, it’s all the rules and regulations and all the rules and taxations that seem to be oppressing small businesses of America in trying to expand and grow.”

“Many of our leaders in Washington have no idea what it means to create a profit and hire people,” said Republican Candidate of U.S. Congress and Bozeman Businessman Steve Daines. “So our job leading the country is to reduce the size of government, reduce regulations, and allow businesses to do what they do best and that’s grow and hire.”

Some local business owners agree.

“Just let free enterprise go and let businesses do what they’re supposed to,” said Klaas Tuininga Insurance Agency Owner Klaas Tuininga. “And let people do what they want, don’t hinder them. Do we need laws? Of course- but regulation is different than laws.”

“We need business and we need to grow,” said vice president of Rockin’ R Operations Mike Hope. “It’s got to be a two-way street. It’s not a republican vs. democrat thing, it’s about growing America- but it starts here in Bozeman, Montana on Main Street.”

Rehberg says he believes we need to liberate Main Street, not Occupy Wall Street.

Source: http://www.kbzk.com/mobile/news/congressman-denny-rehberg-launches-liberate-main-street-initiative/

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Daines keeps momentum in bid for Congress

Posted on October 12, 2011 by admin

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Republican Steve Daines of Bozeman is reporting that he raised another $180,000 over the last quarter in his bid to succeed U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg.

Daines has raised a total of about $780,000 since first declaring a U.S. Senate bid last year. He switched to the House race when Rehberg announced early this year that he would be leaving the office to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.

Several Democrats vying for the House seat have yet to formally file campaign finance reports for the third quarter.

The Daines campaign reported having about $500,000 on hand as it stockpiles cash in anticipation of a general election battle next year against one of the Democrats.

Daines is a vice president at Bozeman’s RightNow Technologies.

Source: http://www.kulr8.com/news/state/131487168.html

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Daines: 2012 election will be vital

Posted on October 6, 2011 by admin

candidate for the open seat in the U. S. House of Representatives said in Havre Monday that people saying the 2012 election will be the most important in this generation’s lifetime is understated.

 

“The clock is ticking in our country, ” Steve Daines said during a meet-and-greet with local supporters held in the home of Republican Havre City Council candidate Rick Dow.

Daines, a manager and vice president in the Bozeman software company RightNow Technologies, is campaigning for the seat being vacated by Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., who is running against freshman U. S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

Daines said the nation is at a critical stage. The economy is still weak and unemployment still more than 9 percent despite the billions spent in President Barack Obama’s stimulus package, he said. Spending money and increasing taxes to stimulate the economy is the wrong way to go, he added.

He said when he started his campaign, the top issue he heard people talking about was making sure their children and grandchildren would have jobs. Now, 10 months later, that has shifted to people worrying if they will have a job, Daines said.

He said he is hearing from Montana business owners about how they are struggling to succeed.

“Doing more with less has to stop, and time is running out, ” Daines said.

He said the answer is in letting private industry drive the economy. The solution is not to raise taxes, but to create more jobs and businesses and thus create more taxpayers, Daines said.

He said he has been a job creator for 27 years — RightNow Technologies added 100 jobs this year — and will apply his knowledge and experience in Washington.

When asked if he would, as a first-term representative, be willing to take chances, sponsor important legislation and stand for what he believes in, Daines said he always has taken chances.

When he first graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman in 1984 and was hired by Proctor and Gamble, his first job was supervising a team of 35 people. Most of them had worked for Proctor and Gamble longer than he had been alive, he added.

Seven years later, he moved his family to China, taking a position with the company there to increase its Asian marketing, he said.

“I have never been afraid to jump into the deep end of the pool, ” Daines said.

When asked about unions, a question tied to the National Labor Relations Board lawsuit alleging Boeing is violating labor laws by opening a new plant in South Carolina, Daines said he wants to have a level playing field, where the free market can determine where businesses and plants locate.

“Is that asking too much for America today? ” he asked. “That’s all we’re asking for. ”

Daines said he is in support of a flat tax, and that he supports a balanced budget ammendment. He said he believes the federal budget also should be limited to a specific percentage of the gross domestic product.

Daines faces Great Falls Republican John Abarr, a former Klu Klux Klan organizer who has announced his intent to file as a candidate, in next June’s primary election.

The winner of that race will face the winner of the Democratic primary. To date, state Sen. Kim Gillan of Bozeman, state Rep. Franke Wilmer of Bozeman, Missoula City Council member Dave Strohmaier and Helena attorney Rob Stutz have declared their intention to run.

Daines said his campaign is going well. He now has visited all 56 counties in the state, and about a hundred people marched with him at the homecoming parade of his alma mater Saturday — where his daughter, Annie, also was selected MSU homecoming queen, he said.

“I’m now referred to as ‘Annie’s dad, ’” he said jokingly in an interview.

source: http://www.havredailynews.com/news/story-275634.html
Republican U. S. House candidate visits Havre
Published: Tuesday, October 4th, 2011
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Steve Daines: Daines Calls for Passage of Cut, Cap and Balance Act

Posted on July 29, 2011 by admin

BOZEMAN, Mont.__U.S. Congressional Candidate Steve Daines called on House leaders today to pass legislation entitled the ‘Cut, Cap and Balance Act’ of 2011.

The proposed bill, which is slated to go before a House vote this afternoon, would cap federal spending at 18% of GDP while at the same time cut the U.S. deficit in half over the next year.  In addition, the plan would add an amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring a balanced budget for each fiscal year.

“Across the state of Montana and across the country we see families and businesses cutting back while politicians in Washington continue to push more debt-financed spending and higher taxes,” said Daines. “This bill puts an end to that cycle by leading our country on a sustainable path towards prosperity and opportunity for generations to come.”

Daines stated that the Cut, Cap and Balance Act represents significant step forward in his fight for More Jobs and Less Government.

Daines is a 5th generation Montanan, and Bozeman native, who has spent the past 27 years of his life working in the private sector as a successful businessman, most recently as General Manager/Vice President of Asia-Pacific business for RightNow Technologies, a company founded and headquartered in Bozeman.  RightNow Technologies has more than 1,000 employees and is Bozeman’s largest commercial employer.  Daines is a graduate of Montana State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering.

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House hopefuls offer plans for US debt

Posted on July 22, 2011 by admin

Republican U.S. House candidate Steve Daines said he supports the House GOP majority’s “Cut, Cap and Balance” deficit reduction plan, while Democrats Kim Gillan, Dave Strohmaier and Franke Wilmer each advocate other approaches.

House Republicans, including Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., voted Tuesday night to pass the plan, which would reduce spending over a decade, put in place a statutory spending cap and pass a constitutional amendment requiring the president to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually.

The Democratic-controlled Senate is looking instead at a bipartisan so-called “Gang of Six” plan.

Daines is the lone Republican actively seeking the House seat, which Rehberg is vacating to run for the Senate.

“Across the state of Montana and across the country, we are seeing families and businesses cutting back while politicians in Washington continue to push more debt-financed spending and higher taxes,” the Bozeman businessman said. “It’s past time that we enact enforceable limitations to the size and reach of federal government. This bill does just that.”

Daines said the “Cut, Cap and Balance” plan “explicitly spells out that there will be no cuts in benefits in Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits and services.”

In response to critics who say the plan would inevitably require cuts to Social Security, Daines said, “It’s important that we move away from scare tactics and political rhetoric and start solving the problems our country faces. Reform will be needed to save these programs. We must ensure we protect seniors today and also work to ensure we save the system for future generations.”

On the Democratic side, the three candidates vowed to defend Social Security and Medicare.

Gillan, a state senator who is workforce development and training coordinator for Montana State University-Billings, said she’s disappointed that “some want to basically take the U.S. economy off a cliff in order to pursue an extreme ideological agenda.”

“No matter how the final agreement takes shape, I would not support anything that risks Social Security and Medicare,” she said. “Cuts to Social Security and Medicare are off the table in my book.”

Gillan said the House needs “more serious leaders” who will work to find practical solutions to the budget while protecting Montanans, including those promises made to seniors.

“That’s what I’ve done and worked for in the Montana Legislature, and that’s what I’d bring to Washington on behalf of Montana families,” she said.

As she did in the Legislature, Gillan said she would consider tax changes to close loopholes that send jobs overseas. She said she also supports lifting the cap on Social Security taxes on incomes more than $106,800.

Strohmaier, a Missoula City Council member and a historian, said the United States “shouldn’t have gotten into this mess in the first place, but now that we’re where we are, we do need to make some tough choices.”

Congress must raise the debt ceiling, he said, because “we can’t play politics with this and risk putting the financial credit rating of the United States in jeopardy, nor can we risk going into default.” He called on members of Congress to work across the aisle and come up with a compromise that’s good for the American people.

“That needs to be a balanced budget that doesn’t hurt the elderly and the poor, keeps our military strong yet at the same time doesn’t take the military off the table in terms of scrutiny in the budget process,” Strohmaier said. “Any sacrifice we as a nation need to bear to address our financial dilemma has got to be shared by the wealthy and large corporations, which I hear far too often, are not paying their fair share.”

Wilmer, a state representative and a political science professor at Montana State University in Bozeman, recalled President Ronald Reagan, when faced with a similar situation, saying that not raising the debt ceiling would wreck U.S. financial markets and the value of the dollar.

“And I think he was right,” Wilmer said. “I do agree with the House leadership we have to cut spending. But dismantling Social Security and Medicare is not an option for me. Seniors didn’t create this economic problem, and I don’t think it’s fair to balance the budget on their backs.”

Wilmer said the Bush administration tax cuts, which were a response to the surplus of the 1990s, must be allowed to expire for the wealthiest people.

“What we’re seeing is more of the Washington political games that are trumping the work that needs to be done for the American people,” she said. “I would take a different approach to balancing the budget. I would start by ending the wars that cost us at least $300 billion over the last eight years in our defense budget. That’s a pretty good deficit reduction.”

 

Source: http://m.helenair.com/article_e54a8c30-b35f-11e0-98d9-001cc4c002e0.html

 

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FINANCE: Daines Takes a Clear Lead in the Race for Montana’s House Seat

Posted on July 18, 2011 by admin

Late last week candidates seeking Montana’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 released their finance reports. Steve Daines is a well known businessman from Bozeman who has created over 1,000 jobs, and is the only Republican in the race. Daines became the clear front runner as he reported a campaign war chest of over $400,000.00 Daines reported raising nearly $600,000 since last November.

These numbers blast his three Democratic opponents out of the water, as they reported substantially lower numbers. Franke Wilmer, the closest Democrat to Daines, reported a dismal $23,981.00 at her disposal after earning only $40,743.00 and spending $16,862.00 on her campaign. Wilmer is a State Representative and Political Science professor at Montana State University in Bozeman. Wilmer technically broke state law this past legislative session by voting on a bill that would increase her own salary.

Kim Gilan, the Democrats runner up, reported $22,561 after raising $27,094.00 and spending $4,533.00. Gilan is a State Representative and workforce development and training coordinator at Montana State University in Billings. In 2009 Gillan received an F rating from the Montana Family Foundation, The Montana Chamber of Commerce, and The Montana National Federation of Independent Business.

Finishing in third for the Democrats was Missoula City Councilman Dave Strohmaier. Strohmaier, who is also a historian for a research firm, has raised $26,436, and spent $12,394 to leave $14,042. Strohmaier has become known as “Mr. Mom” in Missoula for his support of overbearing city ordinances that increase government power and tread dangerously on civil liberties.

Daines has raised more than six times what his three competitors combined have raised. He also has a substantial lead in early voter polls.

Based on the candidates records and financial reports, Steve Daines is on a clear path to becoming Montana’s next Congressman.

Source: http://www.treasurestatepolitics.com/2011/07/finance-daines-takes-clear-lead-race-montanas-house-seat/

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At-Large Seats Seem Safe for Both Parties

Posted on July 12, 2011 by admin

Roll Call Politics is releasing the first House ratings for the 2012 cycle. We’re beginning with the states that elect Members to at-large seats. The seven seats are largely expected to not be competitive. Montana is the lone exception, where there’s a slim chance a Democrat could jump in and shakes things up, but that is unlikely.

This will be followed by ratings for the states that have completed new maps through redistricting: Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Alaska: Safe Republican

Just four Members have represented Alaska since it was granted statehood 52 years ago, and Rep. Don Young (R) has held the office for almost three-quarters of that time.

Young has faced election cycles under some dark ethical clouds and has still come out unscathed. With those clouds behind him and until a Democrat can prove he is vulnerable, Roll Call Politics rates this race Safe Republican.

Young moved beyond a Department of Justice investigation last year. He was elected to a 19th term with 69 percent of the vote and soon after named chairman of the National Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs.

A little-known Democrat, Doug Urquidi, announced a bid recently, but any Democrat would have a tough time winning against Young in the GOP-heavy state. Young’s real test could come in a primary matchup with 2010 Senate nominee, attorney and tea party favorite Joe Miller.

Miller defeated Sen. Lisa Murkowski in last year’s Senate primary before losing to the incumbent in the general. Murkowski won with an unprecedented write-in campaign, defeating Miller and Democratic nominee Scott McAdams, 39 percent to 35 percent to 23 percent.

Miller reported having $475,000 in the bank at the end of the first quarter of 2011 and has remained active by doing national tea party events. Young, 77, raised almost $100,000 and has $222,000 in the bank.

Still, a recent poll found Young in far better shape than Miller. According to a March Dittman Research poll, 63 percent said Young was doing a good or excellent job in office, and 73 percent said they held a somewhat or very unfavorable opinion of Miller.

A Miller-Young primary would be a race to watch, but as of now the general should not be nearly as close.

Delaware: Safe Democratic

Democrats are confident they will hold this seat with little trouble given their strong voter registration advantage in a presidential year. Moderate Republican Rep. Mike Castle held it for nine terms before opting to run for the open Senate seat in 2010. Castle’s defeat by Christine O’Donnell in the GOP primary and subsequent national attention focused on Delaware helped Democrats capture the statewide seat.

Freshman Rep. John Carney defeated Republican Glen Urquhart by more than 15 percent in one of the party’s only pickups last fall.

Carney has done little to scare off a serious challenge so far this cycle. He reported less than $8,500 in the bank as of the end of March. Republicans think they could put this seat in play if Carney’s sluggish fundraising totals persist, but that isn’t likely. Plus, no candidates have emerged.

Montana: Likely Republican

Businessman Steve Daines (R) was raising money for a Senate bid until swapping races with Rep. Denny Rehberg (R), who opted to challenge Sen. Jon Tester (D) this year. That gave Daines a clearer shot at coming to Washington.

While several other Democratic state legislators are considering bids, state Rep. Franke Wilmer is so far the only member of her party to step forward. Wilmer raised just over $10,000 in the first quarter, while Daines raised close to $200,000 and had $330,000 on hand.

Even though an open seat could eventually make the race more competitive, Roll Call Politics rates this race Likely Republican because of the Republican lean of the state and Daines’ fundraising head start.

North Dakota: Safe Republican

Freshman Rep. Rick Berg’s (R) recent announcement that he’ll run for Senate opens up the district that had been held by former Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D) for almost two decades until last year. But don’t expect that to mean there will be a competitive open-seat race here in 2012. Willing and talented Democratic candidates in this state are few and far between.

Senate Democrats are already struggling to find a candidate for retiring Sen. Kent Conrad’s (D) seat. It’s hard to imagine any viable Democratic candidate opting to run for the House instead of the Senate.

On the other hand, there’s no shortage of GOP candidates looking to run for either chamber in this state in 2012 — state Speaker Al Carlson, state Sen. Tony Grindberg, state Treasurer Kelly Schmidt, Tax Commissioner Cory Fong and state GOP Treasurer Bob Harms, to name a few. A few days after Berg’s Senate announcement, Public Services Commissioner Brian Kalk (R) announced he would run for Berg’s House seat instead of the Senate.

More good news for Republicans: Despite the plethora of GOP candidates who might run for the House, the party will most likely avoid a primary battle for the seat. Traditionally, only the winner of the GOP’s endorsement at the state convention goes on to the primary.

Finally, it’s highly unlikely that Democrats will try to compete here on a national level given the state has consistently supported GOP presidential candidates. Democratic nominees will be on their own through November.

South Dakota: Safe Republican

The House race here has the potential to be more competitive than the open-seat contest in North Dakota, but that’s not saying much. Freshman Rep. Kristi Noem (R) has quickly cultivated a national profile and is widely viewed to be an effective campaigner following her victory in November.

Democrats believe this could be a competitive race if ex-Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D) decides to run for her old seat — but that’s a big “if.” Not only did the three-term Democrat already close her campaign account after losing last fall, she told Roll Call earlier this year that she’s enjoying her new work on K Street and looking forward to more of it.

There are a couple more potential candidates floated to challenge Noem if Herseth Sandlin declines — such as Matt Varilek, a top staffer for Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) — but none boasts the same stature as Herseth Sandlin in a potential rematch.

If Herseth Sandlin is out, it’s hard to imagine the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spending significant resources here when there are more competitive races elsewhere.

Vermont: Safe Democratic

Rep. Peter Welch, a three-term Congressman, is sitting on more than $974,000 in an overwhelmingly Democratic state with President Barack Obama at the top of the ticket.

It would take a perfect storm — a personal scandal, perhaps, combined with the emergence of a well-funded challenger — for this seat to be competitive in 2012.

Republicans, who don’t yet have a candidate, do not expect that to happen and neither do we.

Wyoming: Safe Republican

Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R) has just $44,000 in the bank and carries $36,000 in debt, but it would be difficult for a Democrat to defeat the two-term lawmaker in this heavily Republican state. It was President Barack Obama’s worst-performing state in 2008, and Roll Call Politics rates this race Safe Republican.

The closest a Democrat has come to winning this seat in recent years was Gary Trauner, who lost his 2006 challenge to then-Rep. Barbara Cubin (R) by just 1,012 votes. In that race, a libertarian took 4 percent of the vote in part because Cubin was unpopular after 12 years in Congress. Despite a strong push in 2008, Trauner lost the open-seat race to Lummis by 10 points.

Source: http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_127/at-large-house-ratings-205878-1.html?pos=hbtxt

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