Congressional Candidate Gary Buchanan Visits Townsend
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
Gary Buchanan, Independent candidate for Montana’s District 2 seat in the U.S. House, made a campaign stop in Townsend to take the pulse of this community’s needs from Congress and to ask for rural residents’ votes in the Nov. 8 election.
Buchanan, 73, a Billings businessman and financial advisor with a long history in public affairs, talked about the plight of Montana nursing homes and other issues in a Sept. 29 interview with MT 43 News. “Just last week two of our nursing homes in Billings closed,” he said. “The only way we can save these critical services is by increasing Medicaid reimbursements. Otherwise, nursing homes will continue to close, leaving desperate residents and families looking for a place to live.” He also recommended that regional hospitals lean away from more building expansion and put their money into higher pay for nurses, aides and doctors.
Although Independent candidates rarely win elections, Buchanan is widely viewed as a formidable opponent to incumbent Republican Matt Rosendale who is seeking his second term in the U.S. House. The Democratic party candidate is Penny Ronning, Billings. Also in the race is Libertarian Sam Rankin of Billings. The district covers the central and eastern two-thirds of Montana. This is the first year since 1990 in which Montana has had two congressional districts.
Buchanan says in campaign literature that he is indeed politically independent, has split his votes on Montana politics for almost 45 years and served in state positions under six Montana governors, both Republican and Democratic.
Buchanan, who once served as chairman of the State Board of Crime Control, said the same money shortage is hurting Montana prisons. “The Glendive Detention Center houses 144 inmates who are serving time for serious crimes. I have spoken with county commissioners there who predict a 50 percent chance the facility will have to close because of a lack of funding. What will happen when 144 criminals are let out in the street because the state facility cannot house them?” Buchanan said, “We cannot wait with funding for our police and prisons. I am against the police defunding policy backed by some Democrats and defunding the FBI backed by the Republicans. Whether we bring in the National Guard, or however, we need to keep our prisons open and staffed. The federal government must help with that crisis.”
Buchanan pointed out that climate change affects us all, but especially the agricultural community where drought and higher fuel and fertilizer costs change how farmers and ranchers do business. If elected, he will bring to Congress his experience in banking. He supports the Federal Reserve’s effort to stop inflation “before it gets to 18 percent as it was in the 1980s. If we do not get hold of inflation, that is where it will go,” he said.
Buchanan also talked in support of the COOL (Country Of Origin Labeling) act to identify meat raised in the United States. He pointed out that the Made in Montana label has been successful in identifying and selling Montana-made products.
Asked his opinion about out-of-state nonprofit organizations and Investors buying up Montana farmland, he said he understands how capitalism works, that a willing buyer and a willing seller make the system work. However, he said he supports better communication between the farmers and the investors.
As to why he decided to run for Congress, Buchanan said: “I was disgusted when Rosendale was against supporting our nation’s Capital police during the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Rosendale was one of three who did not support helping the Ukraine. He voted against supporting our NATO allies. He voted to cancel the 100-year-old Pittman-Robertson Act which provides millions of dollars to recreationists and hunters as well as Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Even the NRA supports the Act. I do not think that is mainstream of Montana political thinking.”
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
